Families in Bedford Borough are paying over £23 million more a year for their energy bills because they are living in poorly insulated homes, research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed. Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats are demanding that the government urgently invest in fixing leaky homes in the area and cut people's energy bills in the long term.
A new grant funding scheme has been launched in Bedford Borough for voluntary organisations and community groups to help people struggling with the cost of living.
Citizens Advice Bedford are providing one-to-one energy advice to people this winter.
Before setting out on the village tour trail on Saturday, I went along to the final Rivercare event of 2011. Rivercare events are run by the Coucil, and are open to anyone to come along and help improve the riverside environment in Bedford. Saturday's 'Green and Arty River Clean Up' concentrated on the area near Aspects and Longholme Way. In addition to the usual litter pick, a mural was also painted in the underpass which links Aspects to the embankment, while the railings were also repainted. My talents were best suited to repainting the railings, as you can see from the photo! It was really enjoyable to work alongside the numerous local volunteers young and old who gave up their Saturday morning to make a positive difference to our shared riverside environment. I want to say thanks once again to all those who came out and got stuck in. They provided an example of real community spirit in action, in common with all of those people across Bedford Borough who take care of their local environment .
Bedford Town Centre's big Christmas Fair is underway, and continues through the weekend until Sunday 14th December. The fair offers visitors the chance to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional Christmas with stalls throughout the heart of the Town Centre selling an array of seasonal gifts, foods and treats. Throughout the fair's three days there will also be an array of madcap seasonal street entertainment, music and shows that are filled with fun characters.
