25 July 2025
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Eurofarce
You can almost set your watch by it, the weekly instalment of “my mate reckons” about Universal Studios UK.
This week’s star entry comes courtesy of a bloke on social media (the modern-day equivalent of that bloke in the pub) confidently declaring that “there will be a Eurostar direct to Bedford Station.”
His source? “A mate at SNCF.” Of course.
Let’s be clear, there will not be a Eurostar to Bedford*. Unless there’s a cataclysmic shift in the space-time-railway continuum, it’s nonsense.
And this is only year one, we’ve got at least six more years of hearing, “I know a bloke who knows a bloke who walks a dog for a guy whose cousin once went to Florida and said…”
Admins of the (genuinely brilliant) Universal Studios UK groups, please, help us out. Don’t let this kind of misinformation spread like wildfire.
Get the facts from people who are actually in the room, not those who are three pints into a WhatsApp rumour chain.
It’s already getting exhausting.
*I reserve my right to be wrong if somehow this does happen.
F.O.Nope
The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) was created to give the public access to information held by public bodies, a noble ideal, unless, of course, you happen to live in Bedford Borough.
Not content with having been told by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) that their reasons for refusing to release the Fusion contract weren’t up to scratch, the council has now decided it’s too much work to share a few emails about their early conversations regarding Universal Studios UK.
Read: Watchdog orders Bedford Borough Council to release Fusion contract
Central Bedfordshire Council? No problem, here you go. Bedford Borough? “Sorry, it would take too long.”
Read: FOI uncovers Central Beds’ behind-the-scenes talks with Universal Studios
It’s an excuse that’s becoming as familiar as an e-scooter hooning through the town centre. Journalists hear it. Residents hear it. Anyone asking questions seems to get the same response: ‘We’re very busy, sorry.’ Ok, I’m paraphrasing, but you get the gist.
What’s more, if you fancy checking past FOI responses on the council’s website, best of luck. Click the disclosure log link and you’ll be met with a holding message about a “new way of searching” that’s apparently still under construction.
The page has looked like that for longer than anyone can remember. So, if you really want to see the log, you have to email someone and hope they’re not too busy to reply.
Transparency is supposed to be a given, not an optional extra. With all the criticisms the council is facing over a lack of transparency, being a bit more helpful with FOI enquiries could be a quick win.
Read: Transparency at Borough Hall called into question again as finance report still not shared
PR 101
The team here has about 70 years of experience in media relations, reputation management, and PR between them, so there were facepalms all around when excuses came in for some not attending a public meeting about town centre crime last night.
The meeting to discuss ‘that’ security patrol pilot was said to be open to all, and no one was sent an official invite.
Read: “We’re reclaiming our town” Bedford unites in powerful public meeting on crime and safety
It was therefore a bit of a shock to hear representatives from some key organisations say the reason they didn’t attend was that they hadn’t received an invitation.
Standing amongst the group of people last night, some of whom were very scared when passing through certain areas of the town, the lack of representation from those who need to hear these stories weighed heavily.
So, for the avoidance of doubt, local business owners have informed the editorial team that no one needs to wait for an invitation to any public meeting about making Bedford a better place to live, work and play.
Bedford wants to hear what everyone has to say, so get in the room and tell us.
Mean girls
When summer intern Sophie Stapley pitched a series on Bedford Women Who Mean Business, the editorial team said yes immediately. Not because it ticks a box or hits a quota, but because she cared deeply about it – and because, quite frankly, it’s a brilliant idea.
Two articles in, it’s already proving really popular, and more articles are on the way. It highlights the strength, resilience, and ambition of local women who are making Bedford a better, bolder, and more inspiring place.
So, of course… enter the blokes.
You know the ones. The “just asking questions” brigade. The “not all men” whisperers. The kind of guys who think equality is a zero-sum game.
“Where’s the ‘Bedford Men Who Mean Business’ series?” they cry, clutching their copy of Whataboutery Monthly.
Well, funny you should ask. We’ve been running that series, it’s called Everything Else, for six years. You’ve had your turn. Still do.
Perhaps, instead of getting defensive when the spotlight shines elsewhere for once, you could try listening, learning, or even cheering these women on. It’s not about taking something away from you. It’s about adding something long overdue for everyone.
And if that makes you uncomfortable… well, maybe it’s time to ask why.
Break time
It’s summer, so I’m taking a couple of weeks off to read books, doom scroll social media, and catch up on sleep. Politicians and public officials can breathe easy… but only for a short while. I’ll be back, and may even file a column while I’m away. Cue evil laugh.
See you soon, Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, tell us at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
