A year of cheer in Bedford Borough, as we take a look back at 2023 - beginning with the first three months of the year.
January
The year began with a fantastic community initiative taking root, thanks to the first Miyawaki planting project in Bedford Borough. The scheme, at Longholme Way, Bedford, is seeing volunteers help to plant 3,200 trees to create a mini-forest within a decade. The Miyawaki method is estimated to lead to forests growing up to 10 times faster than traditional planting styles.
Also in January… Bedford’s bog bosses were flushed with success, when two further toilets were twinned as part of Bedford Park Rotary Club’s Toilet Twinning campaign. This program allows individuals and organisations to make a donation to twin their toilet with a latrine in a developing country, providing safe and clean sanitation to those in need.
February
Bedford held a vigil to mark one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Borough has stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of the country following the illegal attack by their neighbours. And residents have shared space in their homes, with over 400 Ukrainian refugees having been offered a home in the borough in those first 12 months.
Also in February… The Bedford Town Deal Board was given another boost when another four business cases were given the green light by the Government. These included the Midland Road regeneration, the regeneration and restoration of St Paul’s Square, and improvements to the Greyfriars junction.
March
Shoppers and businesses alike received a boost, thanks to a £20,000 grant to Bedford Borough Council. The grant from the East of England Trading Standards Association (EETSA) helped to support a Regulatory Compliance Officer (RCO) Apprentice. Their work includes investigating counterfeit goods, protecting consumers from unsafe products, ensuring the welfare of animals, and protecting residents and vulnerable groups from scams, rogue traders and doorstep crime.
Also in March… The Higgins Bedford, Panacea Museum and John Bunyan Museum joined forces to celebrate STEM with a range of free science, technology, engineering, and maths activities for all the family to mark British Science Week. Highlights included electric circuit-making workshops provided by local engineering firm Bourns, the chance to meet some amazing animals with mobile zoo Teaching Talons, and making some fun felt sushi models with artist Anne-Marie Abbate.