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9 November 2026
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River Great Ouse

The canoe display area Bedford River Festival 2026. The canoe slides are to the left, with the water of the river still and calm. The suspension bridge can be seen in the background. Willow trees hang over the river on the right.

Bedford Ian writes…

Watered down, Simply great, Just say "no", and Careful what you wish for. 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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Fans watching Givemeyourteeth, BBC introducing stage playing guitar Bedford River Festival 2026

Gallery: Bedford River Festival 2026

What a fantastic weekend celebrating everything brilliant about Bedford at this year's Bedford River Festival. From local charities to local bands, we were entertained and inspired across...
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England football flag at half mast outside Beards Estate Agents after the men's team's exit July 2026. Image: Bedford Independent.

Bedford Ian writes…

17 July 2026: Hove actually, Flagging spirits, and Street springs. 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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Water quality testing on River Great Ouse. Image BedsGovet

Monthly column: Bedford’s Priory Sewage Plant upgrade ruled out until 2030

We at BedsGOVET are fighting hard to keep the River Great Ouse monitored so that we can inform all river users of contamination issues, especially the extremely high levels of E. coli...
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Bjon Hove, Bedford Borough Council's lead events and infrastructure officer, in Russell Park ahead of the 2026 Bedford River Festival. Behind him the big wheel is being erected and workers are putting up stalls and other attractions. Image: Bedford Independent.

WATCH: The River Festival is “a Bedford event,” says the Bedfordian who pulls it all together

The Bedford River Festival returns this weekend (18 and 19 July). While council staff manage the infrastructure, local independent businesses and community groups are running the main events...
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Bedford Lock improvement works. Image: Environment Agency.

Bedford Lock upgrade aims to improve safety and reliability for boaters

Major improvement works at Bedford Lock have been completed, including new lock gates and repairs designed to improve safety and reliability for boaters on the River Great Ouse...
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Great Barford Bridge. Image: Mrminty/Wikipedia

Warning over dangers of river jumping as hot weather draws crowds to Great Barford

A Bedford Borough councillor is urging young people to think twice before jumping into rivers and open water, warning of the dangers of cold water shock and hidden hazards...
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Mohammad Yasin MP helping Inga Wells and Alan Horn of BedsGOVET test River Great Ouse water along The Embankment. Image: Bedford Independent.

Monthly column: Mohammad Yasin MP on Sewage, Water Quality and Regulation

We met with Mohammad Yasin MP (Labour) at the water’s edge of the Embankment to share our deep concerns with him about the quality of the River Great Ouse and the ongoing spillages into the river...
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Cllr Lucy Bywater Image Bedford Green Party

Monthly column: Don’t Lose the Ouse

In the recent heatwave, with the hottest temperature in May on record, some will have enjoyed time in their parks and gardens (perhaps seeking shade). But others might, like us Greens...
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Queens Bridge demolition screenshot from timelapse film Image Bedford Borough Council

Watch: Demolition complete as Bedford prepares for new Queens Bridge

Bedford Borough Council is preparing final design proposals for a replacement Queens Bridge linking Bedford and Kempston after demolition of the old structure was completed...
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