From favourite places to visit to hidden gems, Bedford Borough Council is shouting about what’s great where we all live in a regular feature.
Every councillor is being invited to answer questions about their ward, to reveal the best places to shop, socialise or spend a lazy Sunday, and to share facts that you might not know or dates that you should put in your diary.
This week it’s Councillor Henry Vann, who represents De Parys ward.
Describe De Parys in five words.
Trees. Parks. University. Theatres. Rugby.
What’s your favourite place to shop in De Parys and why?
The Eagle Gallery and Eagle Bookshop have to be worth a visit. From historical and old books about Bedford, King Offa and John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress to novels, information books and more, the bookshop has everything, and the Eagle Gallery next door is my first stop for locally-inspired cards.
Where is your favourite place to eat in De Parys and why?
Well, my ward colleague has already mentioned Three Rooms for a curry, so to eat I would probably say The Pavilion in the Park – perhaps for a cheeky cookie and coffee after a Parkrun! And you can’t deny the beauty of our lovely Park.
Where is your favourite place to go for a drink in De Parys and why?
The Park Pub. I had my wedding reception there, so I always love popping in!
Tell us a great place for a family to visit in De Parys?
The Place Theatre and The Quarry Theatre are both in De Parys and they both always, always, have events on that are young-people friendly as well as other powerful performances and workshops.
What is a great club or group in De Parys?
The ward has a huge number of sports clubs, from Bedford Blues, through to Bedford Bowling Club (in the park) and Bedford Borough Bowling Club (on Goldington Road), Riverside Tennis (my son and mother-in-law both go there!) and, of course, Bedford Parkrun which I love to join when I can.
Tell us something most people won’t know about De Parys.
Maybe a lot of people will know this but if you don’t, do check out the history boards installed using Cllr Sawyer’s Ward Fund and working with the local tour guides: There is one on St Peter’s Green (including the oldest lamppost in Bedford), one at the old Laxton’s Orchard in Dawlish Drive, and one next to the St Peter’s Street / Kimbolton Road Car Park (which include details of the Second World War gun mount outside the dentist at the southern end of Kimbolton Road)!
Name one thing that you’d like to see come to De Parys.
We are always pushing for more pedestrian crossings to ensure that people can get around as well as measures to tackle speeding. Safer crossings for everyone are well worth the investment.