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 Marc Frost, who represents Wixams and Wilstead ward.
What’s your favourite place to shop in Wixams and Wilstead and why?
This is one of Bedford Borough's largest wards, covering Wilstead, Wixams, Elstow, Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick, and each community has its own character with local businesses at the heart of our communities.
I'm also looking forward to seeing the long-promised local centre in Wixams become a reality; residents have waited patiently for the shops and services they were promised, and seeing those finally delivered will make a huge difference to everyday life.
Where is your favourite place to eat in Wixams and Wilstead and why?
The 9th Kitchen in Wilstead serves excellent Chinese food and Wilstead Tandoori is another regular favourite. If I'm after a traditional Sunday lunch, it's hard to beat the carvery at The Red Lion in Elstow, while the fish and chip shop in Wixams is always busy for good reason.
Where is your favourite place to go for a drink in Wixams and Wilstead and why?
The best places are often the ones where you bump into people you know. The pubs in Wilstead have always been an important part of village life and The Red Lion in Elstow is another great place to catch up with friends and residents; if I'm passing through Stewartby, it's always nice to stop at The Kiln for a coffee.
Tell us a great place for a family to visit in Wixams and Wilstead.
Wixams has fantastic parks, play areas and green spaces that are always full of families. Elstow offers centuries of history with Moot Hall, the John Bunyan Trail and its beautiful village setting, Wilstead provides wonderful countryside for walking and cycling, while Stewartby continues to grow as a community with its own proud identity.
What is a hidden gem in Wixams and Wilstead?
For me, it's the countryside around Wilstead - I cycle around the ward almost every day and it's one of the best ways to stay connected with what's happening. You see improvements taking shape, pick up on issues before they're reported and, most importantly, get to talk to residents.
What is the highlight of the calendar year in Wixams and Wilstead?
The Wixams Summer Fayre has become a fantastic community event and the Scarecrow Festival brings out so much creativity from local residents. Across the ward, our Christmas light switch-ons are always well supported and show just how strong our community spirit is.
Stewartby also recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Sadly I was away on holiday so I missed the celebrations, but it was wonderful to see the village marking such an important milestone and celebrating its proud history.
What’s your favourite way to spend a lazy Sunday in Wixams and Wilstead?
You'll usually find me on my bike. Cycling around the ward is something I genuinely enjoy and it also helps me stay connected with the communities I represent - it means I get to see first hand what's happening across the area, stop and chat with residents and appreciate just how varied the ward really is.
Tell us something most people won't know about Wixams and Wilstead.
Many people don't realise just how diverse this ward is. Within a few miles you can visit the historic Moot Hall in Elstow, follow in the footsteps of John Bunyan, enjoy the beautiful countryside around Wilstead, spend time in one of the country's newest towns at Wixams, visit Stewartby with its proud industrial heritage and lakes, or see the site where Universal Studios will soon take shape.
Name one thing that you'd like to see come to Wixams and Wilstead.
I'd like to see the promises made to Wixams residents finally become reality. The supermarket, shops, GP surgery, leisure facilities and community spaces have been talked about for years and will complete the town people were promised.