Kempston Christmas Lights Switch On

This year, the Kempston Christmas lights switch on event is on Sunday 27 November at 5pm. Taking place from 12pm to 6pm at The Saxon Centre, the event is sure to be a fun-filled, festive day for all the family. There will be a fantastic assortment of craft and trading stalls at the event’s market, offering many different Christmas-themed treats, including seasonal gifts and goodies. The market will also have an exciting array of hot food, desserts and drinks, including mulled wine, a festive favourite during the colder months. There is plenty to keep the seasonal celebrations going, with a collection of exciting children’s rides being hosted at The Saxon Centre. Finally, there will also be a special visit from Santa Claus, who has taken some time out of his busy schedule to visit Kempston on his sleigh. The Mayor’s Towns Centre Priority Fund is supporting Kempston Town Council for this year’s Kempston Christmas light switch on.

Bedford Borough Council continues to replace trees on residential streets

Mayor Dave Hodgson assisted with the planting of a replacement Sorbus tree on Cornwall Road last week. The Council Highways team have been working hard to reinstate historic tree pit locations across Bedford Borough. Over 130 new tree pits have been created in the past two years, the majority this year.

The tree pits are now ready for replanting, allowing trees lost over the last ten years to be replaced. These replacement trees have been purchased with Funding from the Local Authority Treescapes Fund.

New tree pits have also been created for trees sponsored by residents as part of Trees for Streets. The Trees for Streets partnership makes it easy for residents to donate and care for trees in their neighbourhood. It has led to new trees on residential streets and a number of celebration trees in local parks to commemorate notable life events.

Teams will continue to plant trees into next year, planting at this time gives trees the best chance of establishing.

The Council is also looking forward to the upcoming National Tree Week from 26 November to 4 December. The end of this week will be the final opportunity to join the Trees for Streets Scheme.

Learn more about trees in Bedford Borough and how to sponsor a tree at www.bedford.gov.uk/trees

Bedford Borough Council Launch Cost of Living Grant Fund

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.

Bedford Borough Council is working with Compass Wellbeing and the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Health and Care Partnership to provide £170K of grants to community, voluntary and social enterprise organisations, or town and parish councils, which are supporting individuals and families during the current cost of living crisis.

Grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available to organisations that are helping local residents to stay warm, well and socially connected this winter.

Examples of support include those that support people to access hot, healthy, nutritious meals in community settings, help with social isolation and loneliness and support for people to access healthcare.

Full more information on how to apply visit www.compasswellbeing.co.uk/latest-funding-opportunities. The deadline for applications is 18 December 2022.

More information about support for local residents can also be found at www.bedford.gov.uk/costofliving

Green Garden bin collections paused

Green garden waste bin collections will finish at the end of November. The collections will restart on the 1st of March of 2023.

Black bin and Orange recycling bin collections will continue as normal. For more information about bin collections please visit https://www.bedford.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/household-bins-and-recycling/check-your-bin-day

You can use the address search to find your collection days and to download an annual collection calendar.

This bulletin has been sent to you by Bedford Borough Council

Borough Hall

Cauldwell Street

Bedford

MK42 9AP