The past two months have seen our charity BedsGOVET moving forward with new partnerships with both the Environment Agency and Bedford Borough Council.
We have also been busy setting up a new website, which has just been launched, and reviewing our social media strategy to see how it can be managed with a small number of volunteers.
Working with the Environment Agency
Following a number of meetings with the Environment Agency (EA), we have shared our test findings over the past year.
We are very pleased to say that the EA has recently made a clear commitment to work with us on ways to attack dry day discharging by Anglian Water that is happening at both Bedford and Odell.
Dry day spills are illegal and result in E. coli contamination at unacceptable levels.
We are meeting to agree on the methodologies that both parties will work towards, to ensure clarity of approach. It was also really pleasing that the Area Director, Sadia Moeed, has enthusiastically endorsed the arrangements.
“This is a major development for us and the work we do on behalf of Bedfordshire residents,” said Alan Horn, Chair of BedsGOVET.
Bedford Borough Council on board
A further breakthrough has been creating closer links with Bedford Borough Council, which has made its intent to partner with us clear. Both the Mayor, Tom Wootton, and the Deputy Mayor, Jim Weir, attended our evening update at Brewpoint on 17 September.
We are sharing the EA commitment and looking forward to working closely with both parties.
Trustees of the BedsGOVET were also invited to attend the recent Borough Council’s Water Management Partnership meeting on 18 September.
Here we heard about Anglian Water’s scheme of works for 2026, whereby BedsGOVET will be asked to comment on as part of their new community initiative and play an active role in looking at the progress.
We also discussed with the Chair reviewing and understanding the process and requirements for designated bathing spots being created in popular swimming areas.
Richard Fuller, the MP for North Bedfordshire, is an active driver in the Water Management Partnership and has been highly positive about the contribution of BedsGOVET.
BedsGOVET update meeting
It was standing room only at the latest update BedsGOVET gave to its volunteers and key partners and sponsors on the 17 September at Brewpoint.
The evening provided the opportunity to thank all our volunteers for their ongoing commitment and hard work over the year and to update everyone on the work and plans going forward.
In particular, we need to inform residents about the issues of ecoli in the river, and provide them with the details that allow them to consider the safety of swimming.
A new website is currently being developed, which will make test results more easily accessible on a monthly basis. The website is imminent, so please watch this space.
As mentioned above, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were both present at our event, together with Mohammad Yasin, the Bedford and Kempston MP (Labour).
He has endorsed our work and agreed to put a series of questions to Emma Reynolds MP, the new Secretary of State for proposals to deal with the water industry crisis.
In the News
Our charity featured in a Local Democracy Reporting Service article about the dangers of swimming in the river. It is great to see our work being recognised and we will continue to push our message out as wide as possible.
Read: River Great Ouse fails E. coli safety checks at several popular bathing sites
To find out more about BedsGOVEY and the Don’t Lose the Ouse campaign, head to our new look website or our Facebook page.
By Inga Wells. Executive MBA, PG Dip DMS
The Bedford Independent is proud to support BedsGOVET in their
vital work to monitor water quality in the River Great Ouse
and provide them with space for a column as
part of their Don’t Lose the Ouse campaign.
