9 November 2026

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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.

New Blue Plaque scheme aims to honour Bedfordshire’s “forgotten” heroes

Bedfordians are being invited to help uncover underrepresented historical figures for national blue plaque commemoration across Bedfordshire and the wider region...

Red panda travels 800 miles to Woburn Safari Park for breeding program

A young male red panda has arrived at Woburn Safari Park from France as part of a European breeding programme to help safeguard the endangered species. Visitors can now see him in his home...

Monthly column: Hands off our hospital – again

There are some places in Bedford that I can’t imagine not existing. Bedford Hospital is one of them. My children were born there. In recent years I have visited family and friends...

Bedford Borough faces growth pressure as neighbouring council reviews housing sites

Central Bedfordshire Council is reviewing 452 potential development sites alongside major infrastructure projects, as neighbouring Bedford Borough prepares for...

Review: All-female open-air ‘As You Like It’ delights Millbrook audience

Glorious weather permitted an outdoor performance of The Whole Pack Theatre’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, which took place in the idyllic setting under an English oak in the...

Bedford Borough Council launches boundary and councillor reviews for Kempston and Shortstown

Bedford Borough Council has launched two Community Governance Reviews affecting Kempston and Shortstown, giving local people the opportunity to give feedback on...

Bedford family to tackle half marathon following father’s brain tumour death

Five members of a Bedford family will run the Robin Hood Half Marathon in memory of Zaim Hysa, raising funds for Brain Tumour Research after the healthy father of five died from a brain tumour...

Bedford’s hockey youngsters help Beds and Herts to consecutive Sikh Games titles

Young members of Bedford Hockey Club are celebrating this week after the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Under-12 squad retained the Sikh Games title at Brunel University in London...

New look for one of Bedford’s oldest pubs

The Ship on St Cuthbert's - one of Bedford's oldest pubs - began a temporary closure yesterday (3 August) to undergo a six-figure refurbishment. The Greene King pub has been serving beer...

Review: Rosie Jones hosts trailblazing talent showcase in Bedford

TV favourite Rosie Jones brought her foundation’s trailblazing Party, Not Pity showcase to Bedford’s Quarry Theatre as part of a dynamic two-day Inclusive Performing Arts...