11 September 2026
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings-on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Water, water everywhere
Despite their best efforts, it seems Bedfordians collectively aren’t going to stop asking Anglian Water when they’ll fix persistent leaks across Bedford Borough, including one that’s been wasting clean water for four years.
Read: MP demands answers from Anglian Water over persistent water leaks across Bedford Borough
Last week the editorial team here reported on a Kemspton leak that, since being discovered, has pumped two Olympic swimming pools’ worth of drinking water into the ground, and Anglian Water has done nothing about it.
Regardless of where the leak lies and who is responsible for financing the fix, Anglian Water is legally bound to deal with leaks of this size within 30 days. They’re only about 1,410 days late.
Despite constant questions from customers and media enquiries, Anglian Water doesn’t seem too bothered about explaining themselves, so now Bedford & Kemspton MP, Mohammad Yasin, has stepped in.
Writing to CEO Mark Thurston (who reportedly earns £1.86 million and £1.9 million per year), the MP has demanded answers about this leak and several others across the Borough that are still awaiting repair.
He’s also promised to raise it in Parliament.
Will we get an answer? We probably shouldn’t hold our breath, although perhaps we should start practising, as with all this water around, we might need to get used to it.
Remember me
Memory foam is great stuff, moulding itself to your body and helping you sleep (if it’s in a mattress) or sit (if it’s in a chair) more comfortably, as it helps retain your body shape and ‘remember’ where you need support.
Let’s hope the memory foam in the new Thameslink seats is top-of-the-range stuff, then, as with all those bums it’ll have to remember, it’s going to have its work cut out.
Read: Thameslink unveils new memory foam seat upgrades for Bedford commuters
Even so, I am sure there are plenty of Bedford commuters who are just grateful that the more than 60,000 new seat cushions will be more comfortable than the previous ‘ironing board’ seats.
But let’s face it, that wouldn’t be hard (sorry).
Bedford noise
If you were one of the 2,000 people at Goldington Road last Friday, thank you for coming out and supporting school level rugby as Bedford School took on Rugby School in the opening match of their season.
Read: Bedford School against Rugby School attracts 2,000 fans to Goldington Road
It wasn’t a great night on the pitch for Bedford, losing 42-12 as they did, but what stood out for me was the Bedford pride in full effect.
The available stands were full, and the Bedford boys who turned up to cheer on their classmates didn’t give up to the bitter end.
The sound was deafening, the lyrics to their chants comical and when they did play, the trumpets and drums added momentum.
Disrespecting the kicker aside, the fans made the town proud with their noisy support, and it filled me with hope that the future of local support for sport, at all levels across Bedford, is in good hands.
Whoever you support, give it your all this weekend.
See you soon,
Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, let us know at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
