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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.

Three older ladies enjoying the Warm Spaces Initiative at GLL leisure centres. Image: GLL

Designated ‘warm spaces’ open up for Bedford and Kempston residents

Two locations in Kempston are part of this winter's Warm Spaces Initiative, offering a warm welcome, phone charging facilities and even a hot shower. Kempston Pool &...
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Pupils at Ursula Taylor CofE School drawing Christmas designs on a blue car at Suzuki Hilton Clapham 2024.

Colouring pen to the metal as local children leave cars covered in Christmas cheer

A Clapham car dealership gave local children a rare chance to add some Christmas cheer to their range of vehicles this week by allowing them to draw all over some of the...
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A packed Church for the Barbados Thanksgiving services in Kempston 2024. The Barbados flag hangs above a door in the background. Image Tyrone Roach

Thanksgiving celebration to mark Barbados independence held in Kempston

Barbadians from across the UK descended on Kempston last weekend to celebrate the 58th anniversary of Barbados Independence and three years as a republic. At an interdenominational...
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The men and women of the newest members of Bedford's newest Rotary Club sitting in a group around a table with a living wall full of green plants in the background. Image: Rotary Clubs of Bedford

Bedford Rotary Clubs set up new club to help even more people across the Borough

Rotary Clubs from across Bedford have come together to encourage people from all backgrounds in and around the area to help form a new club. This new club, set up for a younger and more...
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Mayor Tom Wootton with one of the award winners of the Foster Carer Celebrations 2024

Bedford’s foster carers celebrated at awards ceremony in Renhold

Families who have changed lives across Bedford Borough were celebrated at a special event on 15 November at Renhold Village Hall as a thank you for their selfless work as foster carers...
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The Harpur Trust commemorates 450 years since the passing of its founder

Trustees, committee members, headteachers and staff gathered at The Pilgrims Centre in Brickhill to commemorate 450 years since the passing of its founder, Sir William...
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Share Bedford volunteers (Richard Baker, Gabby Smith and Susan Throssell in the foyer of Bedford Central Library with a cat carrier, balloons, a spirit level and an electric drill to launch the library of things. Image: Share Bedford

Share Bedford launches ‘library of things’ and your donations can help

A new initiative to help Bedfordians live more sustainably is launching at Bedford Central Library in January - and they need your help. Share Bedford's library of things will enable members to borrow items from a town centre location for a small fee...
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A black and white photo of a homeless man with a big beard wearing a hat and holding up a sign that says "Seeking human kindness"

SMART’s winter CRIB appeal launches with ‘a day in the life’ of caseworker Megan

As Christmas is traditionally the season of giving, many charities, big and small, are launching their seasonal fundraising drives. But what actually happens to your money?At SMART CJS, the local charity supporting homeless people, much of their...
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Bedford Giving’s latest round of grants help young children to thrive

Bedford Giving’s Parent Panel has recently awarded grants totalling nearly £80,000 to 11 organisations to help young children in the borough to thrive. Bedford Giving is a collaborative movement bringing together funders, businesses and residents...
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A volunteer from Sue Ryder carrying a Christmas tree as part of the Treecycling initiative. Image: Sue Ryder

Sue Ryder launches Christmas Treecycling scheme for Bedfordians

We know that it's a bit early to be thinking about taking down your Christmas decorations, but you can recycle your real tree and benefit a local charity this year - all in one go...
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