Sign up for daily news
9 November 2026
Facebook-f Threads Instagram Linkedin Youtube
Search

News

Latest news from across Bedford Borough, when and where you want it. The Bedford Independent is your best source of Bedford news on mobile, tablet and desktop.

The Bedford Independent was founded to provide the people of Bedford Borough with a modern news desk that would give them easy access to genuine and unbiased Bedford news. We are independent in ownership and opinion.

Our mission is to inform and inspire the people of Bedford. To do this we will work hard to bring them the news that matters to them from our town centre to the most rural of the Borough’s villages.

Our editorial team are NCTJ trained and abides by the IMPRESS Standards code of conduct and our own stringent, modern ethical editorial policy.

Madness in Scarborough Image Ash Youd via Cuffe & Taylor

It’s been ten years in the making: Madness are (finally) coming to Bedford Park

Concert promoters Cuffe & Taylor have announced legendary British band Madness as the first headliner for the rebranded Live at Bedford Park 2027 series...
Read more
A hose on shower setting watering a garden

Letters: Can Anglian Water actually provide water as Bedfordshire grows?

I wish to express my concerns about Anglian Water's ability to deliver water to North and Central Bedfordshire, even with likely investment and planning. Anglian Water even now says...
Read more
Greyfriars leading to River Street and Midland Road. A bus has stopped at the bus stop just before the traffic lights, there are multiple cars driving along the road and a cyclist is riding in the bus lane on the left. The Pilgrims Progress pub can be seen at the end of the road and Borough Hall can be seen in the distance. Image: Bedford Independent

Greyfriars to face month of overnight road closures in Bedford town centre

Bedford drivers and night-time commuters face a month of overnight travel disruption as Greyfriars closes between 9pm and 5am from 27 September for resurfacing...
Read more
Wixams students and the 4yP Blue Lights- Taste of the Workplace team. Image: 4YP.

Wixams Academy blue light project named runner-up at national awards

A pioneering careers programme at Wixams Academy that gave around 200 students hands-on insight into emergency service roles has been named a national finalist...
Read more
Alex Day and Fred Tuilagi of Bedford Blues with the Champ Rugby trophy

New bonus points system confirmed as Bedford Blues prepare for Champ Rugby campaign

Champ Rugby has announced a new bonus points system will be introduced for the coming 2026/27 season ahead of the first round of fixtures due to take place this coming weekend...
Read more
Councillors gather in council chambers for the extraordinary full council meeting to debate and vote on a motion to hold a referendum on the position of Mayor of Bedford Borough, 16 September 2026. Image: Bedford Independent screenshot of Bedford Borough Council webcast.

Bedford Borough Council rejects £375k mayoral referendum as Conservative group members abstain

Labour suffered a setback in Bedford Borough Council as a motion to hold a £375k mayoral referendum was defeated, while senior Conservative councillors refused to back Mayor Tom Wootton...
Read more
Mayor Tom Wootton signing off the new cabinet in June 2026. Image Bedford Borough Council

Breaking news: Bedford Borough councillors reject motion to hold mayoral referendum

Bedfordians will not be asked to decide the future of the borough's mayoral system after councillors defeated a proposal for a borough-wide referendum at an extraordinary council meeting...
Read more

What’s on Bedford: 16 – 27 September

Your weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from The Bedford Clanger. Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford...
Read more
Bedford School's new rugby head coach, Fraser Dingwall sitting in the stands.

Bedford School confirm England international Dingwall as their new rugby coach

Bedford School have confirmed that Northampton Saints captain and England international, Fraser Dingwall is returning to coach the rugby first team, committing to a two-year contract...
Read more
Tom Wootton (Conservative) and his supporters on 5 May 2023, the night he was elected mayor of Bedford Borough

Bedford Ian writes, mayoral vote special…

16 September 2026: Bedford Ian has been looking ahead to tonight's council vote on whether the elected mayor role should be abolished (or not) and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Read more

Get the latest Bedford news first

Subscribe to our free daily email for our lead story each morning before we publish it anywhere else, plus the key Bedford Borough headlines from the last 24 hours – without having to log into social media.

I've already subscribed (dont show again)