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9 November 2026
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Mayor Tom Wootton

Rows of vaping liquid boxes and vapes on a shop shelf image unsplash E-Liquids UK

Bedford shop owners prosecuted for selling vapes to 14-year-olds

Two Bedford shop owners have been prosecuted after admitting selling vapes to 14-year-old girls during Trading Standards test purchase operations. The cases were heard at Luton...
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East West Rail (EWR) jacket

Mayor responds after councillors question East West Rail interest

Mayor Tom Wootton has explained his declared East West Rail pecuniary interest after councillors questioned his involvement in the project during a Bedford Borough Council debate...
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Mayor Tom Wootton outside the former Debenhams building. Image: Bedford Borough Council

Third cabinet resignation sparks questions over mayor’s East West Rail interest

A third Bedford Borough cabinet resignation has intensified pressure on Mayor Tom Wootton, with Sarah Gallagher’s resignation letter raising concerns over East West Rail...
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Oasis Beach Pool is officially open. (l-r) General Manager, Ricky Whiting; Mayor Tom Wootton; Cllr Sarah Gallager; CEO Bedford Borough Council, Laura Church; CEO GLL, Peter Bundey. Image: Bedford Borough Council.

Councillor resigns over “unethical and corrupt behaviour” on Borough Council executive

Cllr Sarah Gallagher has resigned from Bedford Borough Council’s executive cabinet, saying she could no longer continue in an executive where she believed “unethical and corrupt..."
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Cllr Jane Walker and mayor Tom Wootton with one of the horses used by Progressive Strides

Mayor visits Progressive Strides in Thurleigh to learn how horses are helping young people thrive

Council leaders visited an equine education centre in Thurleigh recently, learning how it is helping young people gain vital employability and life skills. Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative)...
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Two Bedford wheelie bins in the heat with a hat and water bottle. Image: Bedford Borough Council.

Bedford Borough bin collections starting earlier during heatwave

Bedford Borough Council says waste and recycling collections are starting earlier during the heatwave to protect crews working in temperatures forecast to exceed 30°C...
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'The Meeting' statue with socks on outside Bedford Old Town hall. Image: Bedford Borough Council

Bedford Ian writes…

22 May 2026: Sinking ship, Slim pickings, Poor timing, and Sock it to 'em. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it...
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Cllr Martin-Moran-Bryant represents Great Barford ward. Image: Bedford Borough Conservatives

Second senior councillor quits Mayor Wootton’s cabinet in days

Councillor Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant has resigned from Bedford Borough Council’s cabinet days after cllr Robert Rigby quit, increasing pressure on Mayor Tom Wootton...
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Mayor Tom Wootton standing along Bedfords Embankment with the town bridge in the background

Political pressure grows after senior councillor quits Mayor Wootton’s cabinet

Mayor Tom Wootton and opposition leaders have reacted after senior Conservative councillor Robert Rigby resigned from Bedford Borough Council’s cabinet. Senior councillors have traded blows...
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Cllr Robert Rigby. Image: Bedford Borough Conservatives

Respected senior councillor quits Mayor Wootton’s cabinet with immediate effect

Senior Conservative councillor Robert Rigby has resigned from Bedford Borough Council’s cabinet, citing concerns over Mayor Tom Wootton’s leadership. Cllr Rigby, who represents...
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