The latest 'Pints in the Parishes' event is taking place tonight, at The Bedford Arms in Oakley from around 7.30pm. If you're in the area, please come along and let me know about any local issues of interest or concern, Council services or indeed anything at all you want to discuss. Here's a link to The Bedford Arms's website: www.bedfordarmsoakley.co.uk.
Bin collection days are obviously affected by Christmas, and the arrangements for the holiday period are available on the Council's website, here: http://www.bedford.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_news/xmas_bin_collections.aspx. There are no missed collections at all, but there are changes for everyone, so if you're not sure of your collection days during the holiday period, you can double-check them there. Normal collection days resume on Monday 9th January 2012
I'm delighted to report that Wednesday night's Council Executive meeting saw us agree another car parking charge freeze for Bedford town centre in 2012, after we bucked past trends and the rising prices seen in other town centres by freezing the car park charges this year. The current year's car park charge freeze was the first seen in Bedford for many years, and like this new boost for our town centre was delivered despite rising inflation and an extremely tough financial situation facing the Council. Inflation is now of course at nearly 6% and the financial pressures on the Council are unprecedented, but we feel it's important to support shoppers and help boost the vitality of Bedford town centre by proposing a freeze for charges in the council's car parks and for on-street parking.
The Village Tour 2012, or '60 in 30,' is now over, and I want to thank everyone who came out to speak to me at the 60 mobile surgeries across 60 villages in September's 30 days. The fact that so many residents talked to me to share their views on the important matters for our communities was very much appreciated, as was the welcome I received. A variety of weather conditions were experienced, and I am particularly grateful to those who braved wet and windy evenings or sweltering afternoons (we had both of these extremes, and plenty in between!) in the cause of taking the opportunity to talk to me directly while I was in the neighbourhood.
A few weeks ago, local resident and athletics coach Dennis Johnson contacted me to ask for my thoughts on his proposal for a plaque to be installed next year at the Bedford birthplace of Harold Abrahams, the 1924 Olympic 100 metres champion whose triumphant story was told in the film Chariots of Fire. Abrahams is a true Olympic icon, and I couldn't agree more with Dennis that his Bedford roots should be marked in the year of the London 2012 games. Abrahams, who is one of only three British Olympic 100 metre gold medallists, was born at 30 Rutland Road in Bedford. The house was demolished in the 1930s, but Dennis is hopeful that, subject to the agreement of the current householder, a plaque can be put up on display at the current property on the site.
We are flying the English flag at both Borough Hall and the Old Town Hall today ahead of tonight's England vs Denmark #Euros2021 semi-final match.
