A year of cheer in Bedford Borough, as we take a look back at 2023 - this time covering the three months from July.
July
Bedford Borough celebrated another clean sweep – or should that be green sweep? – at the Green Flag Awards. The scheme, run by Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces. And Addison Howard Park, Bedford Park, Harrold-Odell Country Park, and Priory Country Park, were all included yet again. Meanwhile Hill Rise Local Nature Reserve, Mowsbury Hillfort and Putnoe Wood, which are managed through Bedford Borough Council’s volunteer groups, the Friends of Hill Rise and the Friends of Putnoe Wood and Mowsbury Hillfort, also retained their Green Flag Community Awards.
Also in July… Council bosses agreed to continue support for families over the summer holidays, with the scheme to provide supermarket vouchers to thousands of families who are entitled to income-related free school meals. More than 7,000 children in the Borough benefited as vouchers were issued for the holiday period.
August
Bedford town centre businesses received a major boost, thanks to a trial scheme offering up to four hours of free parking at Allhallows Car Park. Running until February, the initiative is in conjunction with other efforts to encourage people to use the town centre. These include up to two hours of free parking every Saturday in all Council-owned town centre surface and multi-storey car parks, free parking in in Council-owned town centre car parks all day on Sundays, and free on-street parking after 6pm from Monday to Saturday except for Castle Lane.
Also in August… Local employers were given a taste for looking after their staff, with the launch of a free breakfast Workplace Health and Wellbeing event. The Forest Centre in Marston Moretaine hosted the summit on the benefits to companies of improving the health and wellbeing of their workforce.
September
A new vision statement was unveiled for Bedford and Kempston’s town centres: “Creating town centres that people are proud to live in and excited to visit.” The goal, agreed by the council’s executive, will be delivered through a series of short, medium and long-term projects. This will mean revitalising the Borough’s town centres into vibrant hubs that offer shopping, services for the community, and leisure, cultural, business and residential spaces, with distinctive quarters that reflect history, heritage and culture.
Also in September… Crucial road works began on the A428 through Turvey, aimed at improving local road surfaces while addressing local flooding issues. The work is part of the ongoing efforts to boost our road infrastructure, improving the travel experience for residents and visitors alike.