
Local news
Lidlington
Central Bedfordshire, England


Bedford borough pays tribute to fallen servicemen and women on Remembrance Sunday
Residents, veterans and serving military personnel gathered across Bedford Borough on Remembrance Sunday, November 8, to honour those killed in conflict. Mayor Tom Wootton laid a wreath on behalf of the borough and…

Part of Flitwick's Steppingley Road closed all week
A section of Steppingley Road in Flitwick, between the Red Kite Meadows turning and the leisure centre, is closed through Sunday, November 15. Flitwick Leisure Centre advised visitors to allow extra time for lessons and…

Barkers Lane in Bedford to close for new pedestrian crossing
Barkers Lane in Bedford will close overnight from December 1 to 19 while a new pedestrian crossing is installed. The closure will run from 8pm to 6am, with signed diversions via Newnham Avenue and Goldington Road…

Bedfordshire author shares personal journey from age 12 in new book
Bedfordshire author John Knight has released a self-help book drawing on experiences that began when he was 12, including childhood struggles with dyslexia and learning difficulties. The book explores resilience…

Green bin collections paused til March 2027
Bedford Borough Council will pause collections of green-lidded bins next month, with the service due to resume in spring 2027. The seasonal suspension affects residents who use the council’s garden-waste collection…

Weekend win lifts Bedford Hockey Club’s Men to third in the table
Bedford Hockey Club’s Men’s First XI beat Dereham at home to move up to third in the table. Richard Evans scored twice, with Freddie Bowis and Dave Appleton also finding the net in a 4-0 win; goalkeeper Will Jackson…
Patience is the key say Wixams couple celebrating Diamond Anniversary
Reg and Olivia Hibbert celebrated 60 years of marriage at Elstow Manor Care Home in Bedford, where they now live. The couple met while working at Bass Brewery in the 1960s and marked the anniversary with family…

Ancient woodlands in Central Bedfordshire under less threat from housing targets than elsewhere, says council
Central Bedfordshire Council says its ancient woodlands face less pressure from housing targets than similar habitats elsewhere in England. The area contains about 16.4 million square metres of ancient woodland, or 2.3%…

Major road into Houghton Conquest to close 10 DAYS for roadworks
Bedford Road in Houghton Conquest will close around the clock for 10 days, from December 1 to December 10, while roadworks take place. The closure will run from Ampthill Road to Sollars Way, affecting the main route…

Bedford Hockey men up to third after comfortable Dereham win
Bedford Hockey Club’s Men’s 1st XI moved up to third place after a 4-0 win over Dereham at Chester Road. The match was part of a foggy weekend of local hockey fixtures, with Bedford leading the club’s results. The…

Garden waste collections in Bedford pause for winter
Bedford’s seasonal garden waste collections will pause from December 1 and resume on March 1 next year. Bedford Borough Council has asked residents not to put garden waste in black or orange-lidded bins or leave bags…

Bedford to London will be busier than usual later this month due to major engineering works
Engineering work affecting the East Coast Main Line on November 28 and 29 is expected to make Thameslink services between Bedford and London busier than usual. East Midlands Railway is advising passengers to travel only…

Ampthill Masons reveal their 'secrets'
The Masonic Centre in Ampthill is opening its doors to the public for the first time this Sunday. Visitors are invited to tour the historic building, which formerly served as the town's courthouse, while enjoying tea…

Universal Studios to get own sewage plant
Universal Studios has confirmed plans to construct an on-site wastewater treatment plant for its upcoming theme park in Kempston Hardwick. According to Anglian Water, this dedicated facility ensures the development will…

We will remember them: Bedford's Remembrance Sunday in pictures
Residents of Bedford Borough gathered on Sunday to mark Remembrance Sunday with a series of commemorative events. The community paid tribute to those who served, with wreaths laid at the local war memorial to honor the…
Double award success for The Bedford College Group at regional STEM Awards
Two lecturers from The Bedford College Group have been honored at the regional Overt STEM Awards 2026. Nathan Luccarini and Duncan Laughton received top accolades for their contributions to science, technology…

More awards success for ‘excellent’ Bellway site management trio
Three site managers from Bellway’s Northern Home Counties division have been awarded the prestigious Seal of Excellence by the National House Building Council (NHBC). The award recognizes their commitment to quality in…

More churches can start repairs in latest round of grants
The Sussex Historic Churches Trust has awarded over £100,000 in grants this year to support the conservation of historic church buildings across the county. Notable recipients include St Mary the Virgin in Clapham…

Find out more about Bedford Hospital's plan to expand emergency care
Bedford Hospital is hosting a public meeting on November 16 to discuss plans for expanding its Urgent and Emergency Care facilities. The expansion is supported by £50 million in government funding. The event, held in…

Award-winning fundrasier takes on 50-mile challenge for Movember
Liz Simmonds, a Bedford resident and award-winning fundraiser, is preparing to undertake a 50-mile running challenge to support Movember. The initiative aims to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues…

Village hall near Flitwick under threat of closure unless new volunteers are found
The Flitton and Greenfield Village Hall is facing a critical risk of closure in the new year unless new volunteers step forward to join its committee. An emergency meeting is scheduled for November 13 to address the…

McDonald’s in Bedford's Aspects Leisure Park reopens with new look
The McDonald’s restaurant at Aspects Leisure Park in Bedford has reopened following a comprehensive redesign. The branch now features a modern layout with updated technology, including separate facilities for dine-in…

Ancient woodland in Bedford Borough under pressure from national housing targets
Bedford Borough's ancient woodlands are facing increased development pressure due to new national housing targets. Local conservationists and residents are raising concerns about the potential loss of natural habitats…

Watch: Black Cat roundabout work progresses in Bedfordshire
New drone footage highlights the ongoing progress of the £1 billion dual carriageway project connecting Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The scheme, managed by National Highways, aims to link the Black Cat and Caxton…

Solar farm could harm food security, council says
Cople Parish Council has formally objected to a proposed 260-acre solar farm on the Shuttleworth Estate in Bedfordshire. The council argues that the project would threaten food security by consuming high-quality…
Tributes paid to Bedfordshire dementia charity co-founder
Margaret-Anne Tibbs, co-founder of the Bedford-based Tibbs Dementia Foundation, has died at the age of 89. A former social worker, Tibbs was a prominent advocate for non-medical dementia care, championing a…

Bedfordshire solar farm could harm food security, council says
Cople Parish Council has formally objected to plans for a 260-acre solar farm on the Shuttleworth Estate in Bedfordshire. The council argues the development threatens local food security, increases traffic, and…

Bedford Blues rising up the table after fourth straight max points win at Blackheath
Bedford Blues climbed to fifth place in the Championship Rugby standings following a 40-27 victory over Blackheath. The win marks the team's fourth consecutive victory with maximum points. A late try by Fred Tuilagi in…
Music therapy programme launches to help more Bedford communities live well in winter
Chiltern Music Therapy and Parkinson’s UK have partnered to launch a new online music therapy programme for people living with Parkinson’s. Starting November 10, the weekly sessions will incorporate interactive music…