In the coming months we will be introducing a 'smart card' ticketing system for the bus network across Bedford Borough. The system will work on a similar basis to the Oyster Card in London, allowing local residents to add credit to their smart card when it suits them, online for example, and simply scan it when they get on a local bus.
A number of residents have contacted me in recent times to ask if and when the Bedford Park Café building will be brought into use as a café, and my response to date has always been that I have authorised the necessary work there and hope to see it operating as soon as possible. That's why I'm very pleased that after essential safety and refurbishment work, I'm now able to say that the building is almost ready for full use as a cafe and the Council is advertising for potential operators to come forward and tender for the contract.
You would expect me to say this, but I think Bedford Borough is a special place for lots of reasons. Another reason to add to that list is that we are one of what is now a minority of areas which still has a weekly collection of 'black bin' waste. Residents have told me very clearly that they value the weekly collection of the black bin very highly, especially as most areas across the country have moved to a fortnightly system. That's why I am pleased that we have now agreed a new green waste deal which sees us save £500,000 over its five year period, as part of a system which will see us retain a weekly collection of the black bin and alternating collections of the orange and green bins/bags.
As November draws to a close, so does Movember, the month-long charity event in support of men's health, in particular prostate cancer and other cancers that can affect men. If you happen to have seen me over the past week you may have realised that along with many men across the country, I have taken part myself in order to help raise vital funds and awareness for men's health. Clearly I was not in a position to grow a moustache from scratch, but when the Times and Citizen newspaper suggested I submit myself to the mercy of a public vote to choose what style of moustache I should wear in support of the charity, I felt that losing the beard for a while in this way was a small price to pay for such an important cause.
Yes, I know that often the last thing we want in October is to be told that Christmas is around the corner, especially when shops and advertisers seem to be bombarding us with it for months in advance! However, with dates now confirmed for a couple of important free Christmas events in Bedford, you may want to pencil them into your diary to make sure you and your family are able can join in the fun when they come around.
I'm back out on the Village Tour trail again tomorrow, with surgeries in Oakley, Stevington, Turvey, Riseley, Swineshead, Melchbourne and Yelden. The '60 in 30' Tour is now down to 19 in 7, with 19 villages left in the schedule in the remaining 7 days of the month. The tour so far has been excellent, with 200 people coming out to talk to me about the issues on their minds in villages from Farndish in the north westof the Borough to Stewartby in the south and another 39 in between. So far 199 people have come out to talk to me about the issues on their minds.
