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9 November 2026
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Mayor Tom Wootton

Hints that Madness might be coming to town started to appear across Bedford this week. With pictures of a Fez being placed on street signs and a Fez even made its way onto the bust of Trevor Huddleston. Image: Cuffe & Taylor.

Bedford Ian writes…

18 September 2026: Parking prats, Party rift?, and Madness madness. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings-on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
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Mayor Tom Wootton signing off the new cabinet in June 2026. Image Bedford Borough Council

Breaking news: Bedford Borough councillors reject motion to hold mayoral referendum

Bedfordians will not be asked to decide the future of the borough's mayoral system after councillors defeated a proposal for a borough-wide referendum at an extraordinary council meeting...
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Tom Wootton (Conservative) and his supporters on 5 May 2023, the night he was elected mayor of Bedford Borough

Bedford Ian writes, mayoral vote special…

16 September 2026: Bedford Ian has been looking ahead to tonight's council vote on whether the elected mayor role should be abolished (or not) and tells us what he thinks of it all…
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Bedford's elected mayor, Tom Wotton, pictured by Riverside Square

Monthly column: August in Bedford – taking stock while continuing to deliver

August is traditionally a quieter month in the Borough Council calendar. While many people enjoy a well-earned summer break, it also provides an opportunity to reflect on what we've achieved...
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Tom Wootton (Conservative) and his supporters on 5 May 2023, the night he was elected mayor of Bedford Borough

Bedford Labour group seeks vote to abolish mayor as leader of Bedford Borough Council

The Bedford Borough Labour Group has proposed an Extraordinary Full Council meeting to trigger a public referendum, giving residents their first say in 20 years on how the local authority...
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A drought-induced blue-green algae formation (stock photo). Image Juergen Wackenhut ShutterstockImage: Juergen Wackenhut/Shutterstock.

Bedford mayor says council is holding water regulators “to account” over River Great Ouse pollution

Mayor Tom Wootton has blamed external agencies for blue-green algae on the River Great Ouse following recent hot weather, while staying silent on calls for tougher enforcement against water companies...
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A map showing the Drought status across the UK from the Environment Agency. It shows a large area, including Bedford Borough is officially in a drought status. Image: ©Crown Copyright.

Bedford Ian writes…

14 August 2026: Burnham down, Sun dog, and Pound of paint. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
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Tom Wootton Aimee Fowler (Bedford College) Ewan Hartup Sophie Plummer Jonah Fielden Daisy Howden (Bedford College) Chris Morris at the Supported Internships celebration

Bedford Borough Council hosts special ceremony to celebrate Supported Interns

Bedford Borough Council has hosted a special ceremony to celebrate the young people who have just completed their year-long Supported Internships programme. Celebrating their achievements...
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Mayes Yard, Bedford Town Centre artist’s impression. Image: Cityheart.

Monthly column: Putting the heart back into Bedford town centre

When I stood to become mayor, I made a simple promise. That Bedford town centre would once again become somewhere people choose to visit. Somewhere to shop. Somewhere to...
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The former Debenhams store on the corner of Bedford High Street and Silver Street. Image: Kirkby Diamond

Bedford Ian writes…

Mayes 'school' Yard, River rivalry, and Lieutenant pride. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
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