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Meet the record-breaking Bedfordshire ice cream man whose family has been putting smiles on faces for nearly six decades

An unnamed Bedford borough councillor has been accused of mansplaining following a meeting in March.

During last night’s Full Council (Wednesday, 2 July), Bedford resident Tracy Wagner said she had already contacted the council following the incident on 19 March...

On the morning of Wednesday, 25 June, the power to over 200 homes in Kempston was cut following a fault in an electricity substation. For thousands of people, this was just a headline and a story...

An unnamed Bedford borough councillor has been accused of mansplaining following a meeting in March.

Bedford mayor’s “Universal Day” proposal was withdrawn from last night’s (Wednesday, July 2) full council meeting.

Your weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from The Bedford Clanger. Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford...

A new patient safety initiative - Martha’s Rule - has been implemented across Bedfordshire Hospitals following the failings of a doctor responsible for the care of 13-year-old Martha Mills...

The Liberal Democrat Group on Bedford Borough Council has not responded to questions about a wave of redundancies under its previous administration – even as it accuses the...

Who doesn’t love a kebab?

Who doesn’t love a kebab?

We're working with Bedford Borough Council and Luton Borough Council to develop a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), which identifies areas of opportunity to carry out nature recovery actions, and your voice is essential in shaping it.

A consultation inviting Bedfordshire residents to comment on the LNRS opened on Tuesday, 1 July, and runs until Sunday, 7 September, 2025.

Councillor Tracey Wye, our Executive Member for Sustainability and Climate Resilience, said:

Being surrounded by thriving, nature-rich landscapes is often what draws people to live in Bedfordshire – it is so important for our health and wellbeing. This plan is an essential step towards restoring habitat and diverse ecosystems across the county by mapping out areas for nature restoration. We need everyone’s input to make it work, whether you are a farmer, a resident, or a business owner, your perspective matters.

Councillor Andrea Spice - Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Planning and Prosperity at Bedford Borough Council, added:

This strategy is a direct call to action for us all to protect, restore and connect these vital habitats, not just for wildlife, but for the health, well-being and future resilience of our communities. Working together, we can ensure that nature in Bedfordshire not only survives but thrives in globally and locally challenging times for the natural world.

Councillor Javed Hussain, Deputy Leader of Luton Borough Council, added:

Bedfordshire and Luton’s natural environment is one of its greatest strengths. It provides natural resources that are important for health and wellbeing, helps build strong communities, and supports the local economy. However, the environment is facing more pressure as the climate warms. Bedfordshire is in the middle of a biodiversity and climate crisis, and these two issues are closely connected.

Nature is essential for tackling climate change and improving health, so there is a need to focus on restoring and protecting nature. Action must be taken quickly and in new ways if nature is to remain part of life.

The LNRS outlines a long-term vision for a county where nature thrives, is connected, and remains resilient. It will inform decisions regarding land use, development, farming, and investment to guide actions across these areas that contribute meaningfully to nature recovery.

The community and leisure complex is on track to open next summer (2026) and includes many high-quality amenities. This represents an investment in the town by Central Bedfordshire Council in excess of £30 million.

This large site will create modern facilities, there will be increased capacity to cater for a range of swimming options for all age groups either in the eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool complete with spectator seating, the 17 metre by 10-metre learner pool with a movable floor to adjust depth for swimming lessons and the separate, shallow pool, called a ‘confidence water’ for very young children.

The substantial 150-station state-of-the-art fitness suite will offer a huge new gym, in addition there will be two squash courts, a dedicated spinning bikes studio and two multi-use exercise studios for a variety of classes and activities.

Community and support spaces include:

• a large café, open to both centre users and the public
• flexible community spaces
• two Changing Places facilities for disabled visitors
• serving hatch from the café to the exterior, to serve users of the outdoor pitches
• changing facilities for people using the adjacent outdoor sports pitches

Councillor Steve Watkins, our Executive Member for Leisure, said:

It’s great that work is underway on this new community and leisure centre - which will provide up to the date leisure facilities for the surrounding area. The Leighton Leisure and Community Centre will be yet another great addition to our already brilliant leisure offering across Central Bedfordshire, and I look forward to attending the opening next year

The existing sports hall and squash courts at the Tiddenfoot site are integral to Cedars Upper School and have serviced the school and the community for many years. Once the new leisure centre is open, these facilities will remain open and available for residents to use and enjoy.

The existing Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre will also remain open until the new centre is complete to ensure residents have continuous access to leisure facilities.