
‘A’ LEVEL RESULTS: HOW DID THE BOROUGH DO?
Results are in and schools across the borough are celebrating, following the release of provisional 'A' Level results today. Notable successes include:
Results are in and schools across the borough are celebrating, following the release of provisional 'A' Level results today. Notable successes include:
A few weeks ago, local resident and athletics coach Dennis Johnson contacted me to ask for my thoughts on his proposal for a plaque to be installed next year at the Bedford birthplace of Harold Abrahams, the 1924 Olympic 100 metres champion whose triumphant story was told in the film Chariots of Fire. Abrahams is a true Olympic icon, and I couldn't agree more with Dennis that his Bedford roots should be marked in the year of the London 2012 games. Abrahams, who is one of only three British Olympic 100 metre gold medallists, was born at 30 Rutland Road in Bedford. The house was demolished in the 1930s, but Dennis is hopeful that, subject to the agreement of the current householder, a plaque can be put up on display at the current property on the site.
The building work on the exciting redevelopment of the Council's Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and Bedford Museum got underway last week. This £6 million project will help to revitalise the heart of Bedford's cultural quarter, and make the art gallery and museum more attractive to both local residents and visitors to Bedford. The redeveloped facilities will include new galleries, allowing more of the world class collections to be on display at any one time, and a shop and cafe. Not only will we be able to vastly improve what's on offer to visitors, but we're also managing to reduce the ongoing running costs for local taxpayers through a range of actions including making the buildings more efficient and sustainable and providing new space for corporate hire.
'Calm Maintained Across Bedfordshire Last Night.' That was the welcome headline on the website of Bedfordshire Police this morning after an extensive police operation on the streets in Bedford and elsewhere to prevent any of the sickening violence and destruction which has taken place elsewhere from happening here. I have spoken to the Divisional Commander today and congratulated the police on their efforts last night in being prepared and being out on the streets, offering a reassuring presence to local residents and businesses in our town. The Council has obviously been in close contact with the police, and we will continue to work closely together. While it was welcome that the scurrilous and unsubstantiated rumours about possible trouble in Bedford last night did not prove to be true, there can be no room for complacency. I know that the police are know this, and there will again be a major, prepared police presence out in Bedford again tonight.
A new public consultation and budget tracker has been launched by Bedford Borough Council to ask residents how local taxpayers' money should be spent in 2012/13 and beyond.
After writing previously on mayordave.org.uk about Network Rail's plan to remove the riverside footbridge over the railway near Prebend Street in Bedford without providing any alternative to protect the right of way, I am delighted to report that following our negotiations it has committed to a major investment in a new footpath and underpass.