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9 November 2026
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Community & Charity

All the latest community and charity news from across Bedford Borough. Everything you need to keep you up to date with what’s happening in Bedford Borough on your mobile or desktop via the Bedford Independent.

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 follows a standards code set out by the independent press regulator IMPRESS Standards.

A display stand at a Tesco supermarket national food bank collection for Trussell Trust foodbanks Image HASPhotos Shutterstock

Food banks in East of England gave out 295,000 emergency parcels last year

Food banks across the East of England provided more than 295,000 emergency parcels in 2025, with Trussell warning families and older people are being hit hardest...
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Just some of Bedford's Irish dancers Image Stuart Irish Dance Bedford

Column: From Bedford to the world stage – Irish dance school building confidence and community

On any given week in Wixams, the sharp rhythm of hard shoes striking the floor carries through Lakeview Village Hall. At the centre of it all is Katie, founder of Stuart Irish Dance Bedford...
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(l-r) Zahra Hanif from the Muslim Council of Britain with Hawaa Empower Director Shapna Khanam Image Hawaa Empower Tamjidul Abedin

Opinion: Hawaa Empower’s International Women’s Day event showed exactly how brilliant Bedford can become

Hawaa Empower’s International Women’s Day event in Bedford shared powerful stories about belonging, wellbeing and community, highlighting the impact of inclusive spaces for women...
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Two of the dogs at Phoenix French Bulldog Rescue

The £4,000 status symbols that are finding a home at a Shortstown rescue shelter

The owner of a dog rescue shelter in Shortstown has said that since the pandemic, there are a huge number of dogs needing loving homes, but fewer people are willing...
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International Women's Day female founders photoshoot. Image Emily Bateman

International Women’s Day campaign celebrates Bedford’s female founders

Two local business owners have come together to celebrate the variety and achievements of women of Bedford this International Women’s Day (8 March). Lauren Troiano of...
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Former Mark Rutherford school student, Paratrooper Private Zack Lago, has been training alongside French airborne forces. Image: MOD British Army.

Bedford soldier joins French forces for large scale airborne exercise

Bedford paratrooper Zack Lago is training in France with British and French airborne forces on Exercise Orion, his first overseas deployment since joining the Paras. Private Zack Lago, 18, is among 2,000...
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The Big Bedford Swish: community fashion event raises funds for rare neurological condition

A community fashion event in Bedford is aiming to raise awareness and much-needed funds for a rare neurological condition that affects thousands of families across the UK...
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Bedfordshire Golf Club captain, David Donnelly and a member of the Sue Ryder team with a charity cheque

Sue Ryder benefits from generous year of fundraising at Bedfordshire Golf Club

More than £25,000 has been raised for palliative and bereavement support charity Sue Ryder thanks to the dedication of a golf club captain who pledged a year-long commitment to support the cause...
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Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards comic strip

Everyday Heroes 2025 nominations extended as BRASS named charity partner

Nominations for Bedford’s Everyday Heroes Awards are extended to 8 March, as organisers announce BRASS as this year’s charity partner in tribute to Brian Cunningham...
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The John Bunyan Boat cruising on the River Great Ouse

John Bunyan Community Boat launches new cruise for 2026 season

From April, the John Bunyan Community Boat will return to the River Great Ouse with a programme of popular cruises through Bedford's countryside, as well as something new...
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