Bedford Borough Council

We're just over a week away from Bedford River Festival, which takes place Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July. Find all the information you’ll need to plan your weekend here - https://lnkd.in/eAurUHRm

We had a great afternoon with Bedford Leaders today, sharing our successes and providing pivotal updates to all Managers, Chief Officers and Directors across the council. It was also an opportunity to workshop our ideas for the new EDI strategy, suggestions for our Town Centres improvements and the budget for 25/26. Thanks to all our speakers! You could be at our next Bedford Leaders by applying for a job with our team today. Just visit https://lnkd.in/esKcpyxx #TeamBedford #leadership

Bedford Borough Council is urging small and medium businesses not to lose the chance to show an expression of interest for the Resilience and Innovation fund, a capital investment grant scheme to support businesses in the South East Midlands area. The Resilience and Innovation grant offers an exceptional opportunity for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to secure funding that can be used to bolster their company. Whether strengthening their business performance, enhancing their ability to weather cost-of-living challenges, increasing innovation, or improving sustainability to support the transition towards a net-zero economy, this grant is here to make a difference. Find out more below

Bedford town centre is home to hundreds of great independent businesses. Many of them are family-owned and have been here for generations. This month Love Bedford/ BedfordBID is celebrating the wide variety of independent businesses with a free-to-enter prize draw, to find out Bedford’s favourite independent businesses in the town centre. For more information visit https://lnkd.in/eHRMtcAg #IndependentBusiness #TownCentre #Bedford

Eid Festival is back again this year on Saturday, 13 July (1-9pm) & Sunday, 14 July 2024 (1-8pm) in Addison Howard Park. Eid in Bedford has become a staple event in many Bedfordians’ calendars from initially being held on just one day to now a weekend event. The event is open to all with free entry. There will be funfair rides, stalls and a huge food court, scouts activities, a tug of war competition, giveaway competitions, raffle prizes and much more. The team is catering for the SEND community for two hours from 11am on Sunday. With 10,000 visitors expected it promises to be an amazing event. Find out more at the link below.

Bedford Borough's #SummerofSEND 2024 is back! As part of the Summer of SEND, there will be a whole host of events, webinars, activities, training and much more for everyone to participate in. We already have over 700 events on the calendar! To view everything that's coming up go to https://lnkd.in/eMnZX3Aw Chris Morris

ICYMI please find the full results from Bedford and North Bedfordshire Constituency General Election and the Wyboston ward by-election - https://lnkd.in/eqUMkBAe Thanks to everyone who worked on polling day and the count along with the team at GLL/John Bunyan Sports & Fitness Centre for their support at the count venue.

Meshelle Headley is one of the best teachers in the country – and that’s official! The Year 2 teacher at Sharnbrook Primary School has been named as a Silver Winner, in the Pearson National Teaching Awards. Meshelle, who has been at the school for 30 years, was heralded by headteacher Hannah Bennett for the positive impact she has on the entire school from pupils to her fellow teachers. She said; “Listening to so many people describe what a difference Meshelle had made to them and their children, as we went through the application process, was real pleasure. “The judges said that it shone through how she always makes time for her colleagues and the children without it ever seeming like it’s too much trouble. “One judge asked how you could clone her and make more Meshelles – but the truth is you don’t need to! She’s always cheerful, she’s always there to provide help or to solve a problem, and that encourages everybody else to up their game too. It’s impossible not to do your best, not to go that extra yard, when you’ve got a colleagues like her.” Meshelle, pictured with her award and children from her class, is also assistant headteacher, the school lead in history, music and maths, and deputy designated safeguarding lead (DSL). The award winners were announced as part of National Train a Teacher Day, which is designed to shine a light on the amazing work done by staff at schools across the country, from teachers and lecturers to leaders, support staff and caretakers. Congratulations on your award Meshelle.

Polling Stations across Bedford Borough opened at 7am for the General Election and Wybsoton ward by-election. You have until 10pm to cast your vote. 🗳 Don’t forget your photo ID or Voter Authority Certificate. Find out what ID’s accepted at https://lnkd.in/exAYVVdy 🗳 Find your polling station at https://wheredoivote.co.uk ✉ Forgot to return your postal vote? Don't worry - you can drop it off at Borough Hall or a polling station until 10pm tomorrow. You'll need to complete a postal vote return form otherwise your vote will not be counted. Find out more about today's vote at https://lnkd.in/er8Ns3zh

Don’t forget that tomorrow is polling day for the General Election and Wyboston ward by-election. You have between 7am to 10pm to cast your vote (or just to turn up and give Baxter a treat!). You need photo ID to vote at a polling station. Find out what IDs are accepted  at https://lnkd.in/deC538Fm If you still need to hand in your postal vote for the election? You can hand it in at your nearest polling station up until 10pm, you will need to sign a form. Need help finding your station? Visit https://lnkd.in/eB7a4zj If you need any help when you go to the polling station today, just ask your polling station staff.