Category: Bedford

MY DAUGHTERS regularly send me photos of birds on WhatsApp.‘Look at these lads,’ one will caption a picture of crows foraging on a grass verge. ‘Mum I bet you wish you were here,’ the other will write, under a picture of a hopeful crow perched on a chair at her table at an outdoor café.So far this year I have received pictures including robins, herons, red kites, pigeons and parakeets, the latter who regularly raid the cherry tree outside my eldest daughter’s London flat – she often sends pictures of their bright green bodies and long tails twirling about in the branches. My youngest daughter sent pictures from a hide in Walthamstow Wetlands, where she and friend were observing the birdlife.My daughters are young adults, but have grown up with a keen interest in birds. They were raised in a home where the weekly bird food bill surpassed that of the food shop. While we were dining on budget brands, our garden visitors were tucking into premium seed mix and superior fat balls. It’s a garden, which continues to welcome all comers, including the much-maligned magpie, although crows always come first. We have all but hand raised at least ten families of crows, the latest of which is now feeding its young. And, of course, we have many small garden birds, who, as I often say, ‘eat us out of house and home’.I like that my daughters notice and enjoy watching birds. They are not birdwatchers in the official sense, more casual observers, but they can identify most birds they come across each day, and often comment on hearing birdsong around their city homes.I was pleased to read that research by the RSPB suggests more than 700,000 people aged 16 to 29 – collectively described as Gen Z – regularly enjoy watching birds in Britain, a more than tenfold rise since 2018. No longer seen as an older person’s pastime, birdwatching is now the second fastest-growing hobby for Gen Z after, bizarrely, jewellery making.Younger birders cite birdwatching as an easy, accessible, free way to break away from hours spent looking at screens, enabling them to relax, de-stress and improve their mental health.Here in Yorkshire, managers at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, one of the UK’s largest bird sanctuaries, say they have seen a “significant increase” in the number of younger visitors. Visitor manage Poppy Rummery said younger people increasingly understood the benefits of getting outdoors and experiencing nature.Great tit PAWhile birdwatching helps young people to break from technology, it does play a role in helping them to enjoy their hobby and give others an insight into it. Gen Zers are sharing their sightings and birding adventures on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit. Special birding apps are growing in popularity, with AI helping young people learn to identify species. Apps like Merlin Bird ID allow users to record bird song with their phones, with the app telling them which birds are singing. I might try and have a go with that myself.The beauty of watching birds is that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. At a basic level, when you’re out and about all you need is your own eyes and ears. If you want to get up close and personal, a pair of binoculars – which come in a range of prices, or you can buy secondhand – is all you need.Watching birds is certainly a way of relieving stress. When I am working from home I can see the bird feeder beside the window and often find myself staring out, watching them coming and going. It’s an instant, therapeutic switch-off from the daily routine.

A new car park was at risk of becoming a park-and-ride site for visitors to a planned Universal Studios resort, a councillor warned.Conservative councillor for Cranfield and Marston Moretaine, Sue Clark, raised concerns about plans for a two-storey, 490-space car park next to a new East West Rail station in Lidlington, Bedfordshire.She warned theme park visitors could end up using the car park because the “ideal station” for a park-and-ride at Ridgmont would not yet be completed.East West Rail said Lidlington would be “a railway station for local rail users” and there were no plans for it to be promoted as a place for Universal visitors to park.In a social media post, Clark said residents at a recent consultation event had been told the Lidlington car park could be used by people visiting Universal Studios.The American entertainment giant intends to build a resort at Kempston Hardwick near Bedford.She added the proposed Ridgmont station, near junction 13 of the M1, depended on about 3,000 new homes being approved at Aspley Guise, but these were not currently allocated in Central Bedfordshire Council’s (CBC) local plan.The new theme park is expected to attract more than eight million visitors a year [Universal Destinations & Experiences/Comcast]Clark warned pressure on Lidlington would increase and the village risked becoming “collateral damage” if the station did not go ahead, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.In a statement, East West Rail said: “We understand the concerns people have about parking and traffic impacts across the Marston Vale.”We want to be clear that Lidlington isn’t being designed or promoted as a park‑and‑ride, but as a station for local rail users.”Plans for stations and parking along the route, including at Ridgmont, are still being developed.”We continue to work closely with CBC and other partners to ensure that when stations open, parking provision is balanced and appropriate across the network.”Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.More on this storyRelated internet links

Detectives don’t believe there are any suspicious circumstances Author: Cameron GreenPublished 7 hours agoA man in his 50s has been found dead in lakes near Sandy, Bedfordshire.Emergency services were alerted at around 7am today to reports of a body in Manor Farm lakes, near the village of Stratford. Police, fire crews, and ambulance staff attended the scene. The man was pronounced dead upon arrival. His next of kin have been informed. While the death is being treated as unexplained, detectives confirm there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

It happened on SundayAuthor: Jon BurkePublished 25 minutes agoPolice are asking for witnesses, after three people were seriously injured in a road collision in Millbrook, Bedfordshire.It happened at around 4.30pm on Sunday (24 May)and involved a blue VW Golf.The vehicle was travelling on Station Lane, Millbrook, from the direction of Sandhill Close near the Millbrook proving ground, when it is believed to have hit flowing water, before leaving the road and colliding with a tree. The three occupants, all in their teens, suffered serious injuries. Sergeant James Wingate from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: “We are appealing for anyone who was travelling in the area or who may have dashcam footage that could assist is in understanding the events prior to the collision to come forward.” Anyone with information or footage is asked to report online at beds.police.uk/ro/report quoting reference 366 of 24 May or Operation Mingoose. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

Police launch witness appeal following two violent incidents reported Author: Poppi AndelinPublished 5 hours agoBedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses after two separate stabbing incidents left two people seriously injured in Luton on Tuesday evening (26 May).The first attack happened between 5.20pm and 7.15pm in the Leagrave and Hockwell Ring area. A 16-year-old boy was reportedly assaulted by a group of three teenagers and suffered stab wounds. In a second incident, which police say is unrelated, a 22-year-old man was attacked while inside his vehicle on Lincoln Road between 6.30pm and 7.00pm. He also sustained serious injuries. Both victims later attended Luton and Dunstable Hospital for treatment after emergency services were alerted. Detective Inspector Jon Wheeler of Bedfordshire Police said the incidents were being treated separately but described both attacks as serious.“Although these two incidents are not linked, both have left the victims with serious injuries. “We are following several lines of enquiry in our efforts to better understand the circumstances and identify those responsible.”Police are continuing their investigations and are urging anyone who witnessed either incident or has information to come forward.Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

The event took place on SundayAuthor: Jon BurkePublished 3 hours agoPolice have made nine arrests at Luton Carnival.As the temperature climbed over the weekend, the force got geared up for a major presence on Sunday.Alongside the Luton Community Policing team, officers were deployed as part of Project Servator during the parade, Live Facial Recognition vans were set up on the entrances to Wardown Park – getting a hit and making an arrest for an individual wanted for sexual assault. The community team was also in attendance in the park, giving reassurance to the public. Officers from the Boson guns and gangs unit made arrests, for possession of a knife and possession with intent to supply drugs. Two teenagers were also spotted riding escooters while wearing balaclavas, hoodies, and surgical gloves. Both were arrested for attempted robbery and their escooters seized. Three further teenagers were arrested for affray, while one person was arrested after failing to appear in court.In total nine arrests were made around the eventSuperintendent Hob Hoque from Bedfordshire Police said, “The past week and bank holiday weekend have been an extremely busy one for the force. Our officers have attended a range of different incidents, alongside helping keep the public safe during one of the major events of the year, Luton carnival. “Despite the number of incidents, combined with the intense heat over the weekend, our officers and staff continued to make sure the public had the highest standard of service. Everyone involved played a significant part.”Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

Published on
26/05/2026 – 11:05 GMT+2

The Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), Italy’s antitrust authority, announced on Tuesday that it opened a formal probe into easyJet Airline Company Limited over alleged unfair commercial practices.

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The case centres on how the carrier structures and presents baggage fees on its website and mobile app, with the regulator alleging that passengers were routinely given a distorted picture of what they were actually paying.
According to the AGCM, easyJet’s platform set bundled checked baggage and sports equipment for round trips as the automatic default, presenting only an overall average price for the service, even when customers had no intention of purchasing it for both legs of their journey.
The regulator contends that anyone wishing to add luggage for one leg only was forced to interrupt the booking process to override this setting, a step most consumers would be unlikely to notice or navigate.
The investigation will assess whether easyJet’s booking system created unclear pricing conditions and limited consumers’ ability to make fully informed choices.
At the time of writing, easyJet has not publicly commented on the case.

Italy’s AGCM previous actions
This is not the first time easyJet has appeared before Italian authorities.
In May 2021, the AGCM imposed a €2.8 million fine on the airline alongside Ryanair and Volotea, after all three failed to offer cash reimbursements for flights cancelled when Italy lifted its COVID-19 travel restrictions, issuing vouchers instead.
EasyJet appealed, but the Lazio Regional Administrative Court in Rome rejected the challenge in February 2025.
The AGCM has shown no hesitation in pursuing the sector more broadly.
In December 2025, it fined Ryanair €255 million for abusing its dominant position in air travel to and from Italy.
The Italian authority concluded the carrier had deployed an “elaborate strategy” to obstruct travel agencies from purchasing its flights, including through facial-recognition checks, payment blocks and mass account deletions, a ruling Ryanair immediately vowed to appeal.

Following years of careful preparation, the beavers are back in Bedfordshire (a county in the east of England). This is the first time in 400 years that these remarkable mammals have returned to the county’s rivers, marking a historic milestone for the area. Their presence is already demonstrating why the species is so vital for UK ecology.About Britain’s BeaversThe UK beaver (Eurasian beaver) species is different from that found in the US. They look similar and lead similar lives, but the Eurasian beaver typically has fur that is a lighter shade of brown than its American cousins, and its tail is a little narrower.Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) are found in riparian habitats, close to freshwater and surrounded by wetland plants and woodland. They are the largest rodent in Britain and weigh up to 80 pounds or so. Their most distinctive feature is their flat, scaly, paddle-shaped tail, which can be up to 13 inches long.What Happened to Britain’s Beavers?The Eurasian beaver has a chequered history in the UK and indeed in many parts of Europe. The species likely evolved in the early Pleistocene era, around 3 million years ago. During the late Pleistocene ice age, they apparently disappeared from much of Europe and Asia, but later rebounded as the climate warmed.Beavers were over-hunted in Britain.©Michal14/Shutterstock.comMore recently, they have been hunted throughout the UK and Europe for their fur, meat, and castoreum (an exudate produced to mark their territory and which was traditionally used in perfumes). This took a heavy toll on populations, and the last sighting of a British beaver was recorded in Loch Ness in the 1500s. It is possible, however, that a few small, isolated populations survived into the 1700s. No further sightings of live beavers were recorded until 2002, when the first official reintroduction occurred at a fenced wetland site.Where in the UK Have Beavers Been Reintroduced?There have been several fenced enclosure trials of beaver reintroduction in the UK. Two licensed free-living populations can be found on the River Otter and in Knapdale, Scotland. Several additional licensed wild populations now exist as beaver reintroductions have expanded in recent years.Also, there are likely unlicensed free-living populations elsewhere. In 2019, beavers were granted protected species status in Scotland, and in 2022, the UK government officially recognised them as a native species. Beavers are a protected species in the UK, so they cannot be culled there without a license. Why Release Beavers in Britain?Beavers are widely recognised as ecosystem engineers. This means they modify their environment to create habitats and resources for other species. Beavers live in riparian habitats—transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In these partially wetland and partially woodland areas, they eat vegetation such as rhizomes, pondweed, ferns, and grasses.In the winter, however, they switch to wood and tree bark. They prefer deep, slow-moving rivers or lakes, and if they can’t find them, they will create their own!To do this, they build dams to slow down the flow of water and dig burrows into the riverbank. Alternatively, they will construct a ‘lodge’ from wood, twigs, and soil, where the beavers can hide from predators.The Bedfordshire Beaver ReleaseThe beavers have been released at Southill Estate in Bedfordshire under a Natural England license. It has taken two years to obtain the license and to prepare a purpose-built enclosure. The work was carried out in partnership with the Beaver Trust. The news release on their website describes how they “led on the [license] application, co-designed the main release pond, coordinated trapping operations, and oversaw the safe transfer of animals to [the] site.”Beavers modify their habitats.©Tomas Palsovic/Shutterstock.comThe estate team and specialist contractors carried out many modifications to create a suitable habitat, including pond creation, willow planting, and restoring a more natural hydrological flow and habitat complexity to an existing ditch.During the first stage of the release, an adult male and two kits that had been humanely trapped under license from Scotland were introduced. A few days later, an adult female was introduced, who had spent 14 months being prepared for independent living at the Wildwood Trust.Beavers and Land ManagementThe beaver release is part of a broader commitment to manage the land so that there is space for nature alongside productive land use. The project aims to achieve ecological restoration, which brings drought resilience to the wider estate. Bedfordshire is one of the driest counties in England. When beavers build dams, they also create a mosaic of wetland habitats, including pools, channels, and standing deadwood. This process retains water in the landscape, benefiting both humans and wildlife. It also reduces peak water flows, lowering the risk of downstream flooding.The benefits are already apparent: grey partridges are being seen in greater numbers, along with increases in wading birds, songbirds, and invertebrate communities.This new beaver community will be closely monitored. Future offspring may even be trapped and relocated to additional licensed reintroduction sites.The post England’s First Bedfordshire Beavers in 400 Years Are Already Changing the Land appeared first on A-Z Animals.

BBC One will premiere a new eight-part documentary series titled Caring Together on Monday, May 25, 2026, featuring actress Natalie Cassidy as she enrolls in college to train as a professional carer.The series, produced by Newry-based Big Mountain Productions for BBC Daytime and BBC Northern Ireland, explores the human stories and daily challenges within the health and social care sector across the United Kingdom.Cassidy, widely known for her 30-year role as Sonia Fowler on EastEnders, filmed the project to highlight the realities faced by volunteers, professional nurses, and family carers across various care settings in England and Northern Ireland.

The documentary explores a range of care settings, including the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire MS Therapy Centre, where Cassidy met with individuals and families managing long-term neurological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s.

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In Northern Ireland, the production collaborated with 24 institutions, including NHS Trusts and charities, visiting intergenerational projects in Belfast, therapy support programs in Moira, a dementia-friendly barbershop in Carrickfergus, and a Men’s Shed group in Newtownabbey.The series also features the Royal British Legion’s Galanos House Care Home and Poppy Lodge in Southam, where Cassidy assisted staff members with specialized residential care and bedtime routines for military veterans.

Cassidy discussed the upcoming documentary during an appearance on The One Show on Thursday, May 21, 2026, noting that the series fulfilled a long-held personal ambition inspired by her experience nursing her late father.”Natalie will be enrolling at one of the UK’s top Health & Social Care colleges where she’ll study, train and work alongside health and social care students, care professionals, volunteers and home carers,” reads the logline (via BBC).The promotional material highlights the core societal questions the series aims to address regarding the future of family and professional care networks.

“facing the realities, heartbreak and joy of caring. Together they’ll be putting the spotlight on a dilemma we’ll all face at some point in our lives – who will care for our parents, our partners, our children… and who will care for us?” reads the logline (via BBC).Cassidy reflected on her personal experience entering a classroom environment alongside younger students during the training process.”It was very daunting because I thought, ‘I’m going into a classroom here with a load of students. I’m 42. What are they going to make of me?’” recalled Cassidy, Actress.

The actress described how the students and healthcare professionals welcomed her into their daily routines during production.”But they took me under their wing, I became part of the team – it was wonderful getting to learn again,” recalled Cassidy, Actress.Cassidy stated that the educational aspect of the project marked her first formal schooling since her youth due to her long-term acting career.

“I haven’t been at school since I was 16, EastEnders all the way, so it was lovely to get back into a bit of education as well,” continued Cassidy, Actress.The filming schedule concluded with a shared appreciation for the emotional weight of the daily experiences among the participants.”It became a bit of a running joke, we’d finish a day and we’d say ‘wasn’t that the most special day?’” continued Cassidy, Actress.

The actress emphasized the deep sense of empathy shared by the volunteers, charity workers, and medical staff she encountered.”Everybody within that care system – volunteers, charity workers, nurses – has so much empathy. Everybody is caring, so you just have the best time,” continued Cassidy, Actress.Cassidy expressed her profound personal investment in the project and her gratitude toward the participants who opened their lives to the production team.”I cannot tell you how important this series has been for me. It’s a subject I care about very deeply. Working with the team at Big Mountain Productions, they brought so much care, integrity and heart to the project,” said Cassidy, Actress.The actress acknowledged the responsibility that came with filming inside sensitive medical and residential environments.”I’m incredibly grateful to the people who allowed us to bring cameras into their homes, hospitals, care homes and college. That level of openness and trust is something I’ll never take for granted,” said Cassidy, Actress.Cassidy also commended the production crew for prioritizing the dignity of the local communities featured throughout the eight episodes.”What really struck me was how passionate the team are, not just about making great television, but about doing justice to the people and communities at the centre of these stories. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created together,” said Cassidy, Actress.Big Mountain Productions executive Jane Kelly noted that the launch of the series coincides with the television company’s 21st anniversary of programme making.”As we celebrate 21 years of programme making, we’re proud to be bringing a series like this to audiences across the UK,” said Jane Kelly, Joint CEO of Big Mountain Productions.Kelly highlighted that the complexities of social care are rarely given prominent coverage on mainstream broadcasting platforms.”Caring touches so many lives, whether at home or at work, yet it is rarely explored in all its complexity on mainstream television. This series has authenticity and heart at its core, helped by a production team with both outstanding creative expertise and lived experience of the care sector,” said Jane Kelly, Joint CEO of Big Mountain Productions.The executive expressed anticipation for the public reception of the local communities and individuals profiled in the series.”We cannot wait for viewers to join Natalie on this journey and meet the communities and characters at the heart of these stories,” said Jane Kelly, Joint CEO of Big Mountain Productions.BBC Northern Ireland Head of Content Commissioning Eddie Doyle praised the regional independent production sector for developing universal stories.”It’s great that the series has been made for audiences across the UK by a Northern Ireland independent production company, demonstrating how the creative sector here can tell important and universal stories that resonate everywhere,” added Eddie Doyle, Head of Content Commissioning at BBC Northern Ireland.Staff members from featured residential facilities also expressed hope that the documentary would improve public understanding of the social care profession.”It was lovely to meet and mentor Natalie. She was so passionate about caring for others and willing to learn about my own experiences in the health and social sector. She embraced the whole experience and fully immersed herself into our community,” said Amy Cotterill, Care Staff Member at Galanos House.Cotterill noted that the care sector frequently faces public misconceptions or social stigma that the documentary could help dismantle.”I believe it’s important for people to understand the work we do at Galanos House, as care work can sometimes be misunderstood or unfairly stigmatised. I hope the documentary highlights how meaningful and rewarding a career in care can be, and the positive impact it has on the lives of those receiving support,” added Amy Cotterill, Care Staff Member at Galanos House.Galanos House Care Home Manager Jo-Anne Wilson described the internal community dynamic among the veterans residing at the Southam home.”At Galanos House, there’s a genuine sense of community, with residents connecting through shared military experiences and building strong friendships, whether they are age 52 or 102. The team of staff takes great pride in supporting those who have served the country, creating a warm and welcoming place to call home with plenty of activities and social opportunities,” added Jo-Anne Wilson, Care Home Manager.Wilson stated that the staff and residents plan to watch the broadcast together to see their experiences reflected on television.”By taking part in this documentary, we hope to shine a spotlight on social care, the Royal British Legion and the home itself. We’re all looking forward to coming together to watch the programme and seeing Natalie’s experience at Galanos House brought to the screen,” added Jo-Anne Wilson, Care Home Manager.Shirley Scotcher, chief executive of the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire MS Therapy Centre, welcomed the production’s focus on the dual experiences of patients and family carers.”We were absolutely thrilled to welcome Natalie Cassidy to our centre. Natalie was warm, engaging, and genuinely interested in the experiences of our members, carers, and staff,” said Shirley Scotcher, Chief Executive of the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire MS Therapy Centre.Scotcher pointed to the specific profile of centre members Lisa and Gary Stonehouse as a representative narrative of the broader care community.”Lisa and Gary’s story is incredibly powerful and reflects the reality many families face every day. Caring can be rewarding, exhausting, emotional, and life-changing all at once, and this series shines an important spotlight on the compassion and resilience shown by carers across the country,” said Shirley Scotcher, Chief Executive of the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire MS Therapy Centre.The chief executive expressed hope that the national broadcast would raise awareness for families managing long-term neurological conditions.”We are proud to have been part of such an important project and hope the programme helps raise awareness of both the challenges and strength of people living with neurological conditions and those who care for them,” said Shirley Scotcher, Chief Executive of the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire MS Therapy Centre.The first four episodes of Caring Together will broadcast daily at 1:30 PM and 7:00 PM on BBC One from Monday, May 25 to Thursday, May 28, 2026, and will be available concurrently for streaming on BBC iPlayer. The final four instalments are scheduled to air during the week commencing Monday, June 1, 2026.

Author: Bev RimmerPublished 16 hours agoFour people have been arrested after a serious disturbance in Little Billington, Bedfordshire, where three men were left seriously injured.It happened in the street on Gypsy Lane on Wednesday 20 May.The victims are in a stable condition in hospital. Bedfordshire Police say they have also recovered several weapons, including machete-style knives. On Thursday 21 May, two men in their 50s were arrested in Hemel Hempstead and High Wycombe, on suspicion of conspiring to commit murder.An 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were arrested in London on suspicion of the same offence. Detective Superintendent David Skarratts, investigating, said: “Incidents of this nature are understandably concerning for our community, and we are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry. “We would encourage anyone with information, or who may have dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incident, to contact us.” Bedfordshire Police can be contacted on the non-emergency 101 number, and anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers.