On Thursday 4 May this year, local elections are taking place in Bedford Borough.

Elections will be held for the Mayor of Bedford Borough, local Councillors, and Parish and Town Councillors.

In order to vote in this important election, residents must be on the electoral register. The deadline to register to vote is 11:59pm on Monday 17 April.

Residents are also being reminded that they will need to show photographic identification to vote in elections in Bedford Borough next month.

And there is still time for people to apply for a free ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ if they do not have an accepted form of ID and want to vote.

The new Government rules mean residents wanting to vote at polling stations in the borough council elections on Thursday 4 May will need to bring ID with them - such as a UK passport, Driving Licence, or disabled blue badge. A full list of acceptable identification can be found at Voter ID | Electoral Commission 

If you have already registered to vote, you should have received your poll card. For anyone that has not got their poll card but thinks they are registered to vote, they can inform the Borough Council by emailing electoral.registration@bedford.gov.uk

If you are unable to vote at your polling station on the 4 May you have until 5pm Tuesday 18 April to request a postal vote or until 5pm, Tuesday 25 April to request a proxy vote so that you don’t miss out, but please let us know as soon as possible if you wish to receive one.

But people who do not have the identification have until 5pm Thursday 25 April to apply for a free ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. 

To find out more about the 2023 local elections, visit our dedicated webpage at www.bedford.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/local-elections-4-may-2023.

Bedford Borough Council welcomed a government scheme to provide affordable bus travel to residents with a £2 bus fare cap. This has now been extended until the end of June.

The Department for Transport (DfT) led scheme, which encourages people to ‘get around for £2’, sees all adult single fares capped at £2 and all return fares capped at £4 on bus services operated by participating companies.

In Bedford Borough, the following operators have signed up for the scheme:

• Stagecoach
• University bus (Uno)

More information about the government bus fare cap scheme is available on the government website or by visiting bus providers' websites.

The English tradition of Morris dancing will take centre stage at The Higgins Bedford this St. George’s Day weekend. On Saturday 22 April, from 11am to 3pm. The museum will host "Come In, St. George," a day celebrating Morris dancing with talks, discussions and displays of Morris dancing. It is free to attend, and everyone is welcome.

On St. George’s day itself, Sunday 23 April, The Higgins Bedford and the gift shop, will be open for its usual Sunday hours of 2pm – 5pm. Entry is free and people can discover what’s on display at www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk.

Saturday starts with a talk and discussion from 11am to 12.30pm about how Morris dancing has changed locally in recent history. Subjects will include the growth of women’s and mixed Morris dancing, new approaches, and the impact of the equality and diversity debates.

Experts will share research and memories of Morris Dancing, while reflecting on the changes they have seen over the years. Contributions and questions from visitors will be welcome.

The celebration continues with Morris dancing in the courtyard from 1.30pm to 3pm. Local groups; Hemlock Morris, Red Cuthbert Morris and Golden Hare Morris will each demonstrate their own unique approaches.

The entertainment ends with a traditional mummers’ play by the Barfront Guizers in which St. George (Hooray!) and a valiant knight (Boo, Hiss!) argue over who killed the dragon. This is traditional entertainment for all the family!

The Higgins Bedford, MK40 3XD, can be found behind the Castle Mound on Bedford’s Embankment. It unites the three previous venues of Bedford Museum, Bedford Gallery, and the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery.