2 April 2026
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Pothole-free paradise
It was a joy this week to drive over some recently laid tarmac.
No potholes, bumps, or rattling suspension. Just the gentle hum of tyres gliding over smooth asphalt. For a brief moment, it felt like motoring in a better-managed borough.
Quite possibly the best road surface in Bedford.
A shame, then, that it was only the car park at Borough Hall (pictured).
Responsible reporting
Journalism gets a kicking these days, and sometimes, let’s be honest, it deserves one.
For those more interested in clicks, outrage, not caring about accuracy, and dressing up gossip as reporting, criticism is fair game. What frustrates me, though, is when all journalists are tarred with the same brush for no good reason.
Recently, the Bedford Independent has been accused of banning people from criticising the subject of a story on its social pages and groups. It hadn’t.
There were also mutterings that because the Bedford Independent broke a development story before some councillors knew about it, “something dodgy was going on”. It wasn’t.
The truth is rather less exciting. As a regulated news desk with an ethical duty to publish facts and avoid defamation, the Bedford Independent has to take a higher line than the free-for-all found elsewhere online.
That means whether someone believes what they are posting is true or not, if it risks being defamatory, it cannot simply be waved through.
That is not bias; it is called being responsible.
Read: Keeping conversations constructive: Our social media terms and conditions
And as for the “dodgy” conspiracy claims, they say more about the accuser’s understanding of journalism than the journalism itself.
Take the latest story about possible plans connected to the athletics track. It was worked on for around a month. Multiple sources were spoken to, different angles were checked, and, thanks to our reporter’s trust, details were shared with care.
That is what proper reporting looks like. I suppose it’s a shame that it’s so rare these days; some people don’t recognise it.
If people are frustrated that ward councillors did not know before our story was published, that frustration should be aimed at the council’s own internal communication processes, not at a newsroom doing its job.
After all, what exactly is the alternative? That we sit on stories so no one can question what’s happening, challenge it, or act upon it?
That may suit some people, but it’s not journalism.
Read: You may not like every story we write, but that’s the point
Rabbit Responsibility
Most people know a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.
It might also be worth remembering that a rabbit is not just for Easter.
Cllr Graeme Coombes (Conservative, Wixams & Wilstead) made that point well on his Facebook page this week, sharing the story of Algie, a stray rabbit who turned up on his doorstep and stayed for more than a decade.
Algie, and later Poppy, were loved, well cared for, regularly treated by the vet, properly fed, and given the space and companionship rabbits need.
In other words, they were not chocolate-box novelties. They were pets, with all the cost, time, effort and responsibility that comes with that.
Rabbits may look cute and fluffy in springtime, but they are not easy starter pets. They need space, company, regular cleaning, proper food, and often expensive veterinary care. Sadly, too many end up neglected in small hutches once the excitement wears off.
So, if Easter has you thinking about a bunny for the children, think again unless you are prepared for years of care and commitment.
And if you are, then a rescue centre is a far better place to start than a pet shop.
Because rabbits, like all pets, deserve much more than being treated as part of the seasonal decorations.
Selective outrage
It was good to see Bedford’s public sector organisations and politicians marking the start of Passover this week, Chag Pesach Sameach.
For those unfamiliar, Passover is one of the most important festivals in Judaism. It commemorates the Exodus, when the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.
It’s a time centred on family, reflection and remembrance, marked by shared meals called Seders and traditions passed down for generations.
As a multicultural country, county, borough, and town, it’s important to allow anyone to pay their respects to festivals like this if they wish, even if they don’t observe them themselves.
More interesting, though, was what didn’t happen.
No backlash or outrage, and no comment section warriors demanding to know why their beliefs weren’t being prioritised.
Which does make you wonder.
Why is it that some religious posts are met with anger, others with indifference, and very few with consistent support?
It’s almost as if the outrage isn’t really about religion at all.
Tiny tennis
What is this? A tennis court for ants?
With spring finally sprung, more and more tennis lovers will no doubt be making more of the local tennis courts across the Borough in the coming weeks, which has promoted to write about something I’ve been meaning to for a while.
What’s with this tiny tennis court in Russell Park? Of course, it’s great for beginners, but it’s also the only route to court four. Meaning that dream-long volley, will need to be interrupted or people have to wait and eat into their court time.
I’ll see about asking a few questions about this, but for now, Happy Easter to you and yours.
See you soon, Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, let us know at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
