What's happening to our water?
The River Great Ouse is the fourth most polluted in England, with frequent sewage spills, but volunteers from BedsGOVET are monitoring its health and campaigning for change.
By Community Network
Community News
News
Everything happening across Shortstown, Cardington, Cople & Cotton End.
Cotton End traffic island finally set for fix after years of resident misery
Work to reshape the splitter island at the A600 and Trow Close junction in Cotton End has been passed to a contractor, nearing the end of a long-standing problem for residents.
By Leigh
New on the site: Recipes, fun things to make with the kids
We’ve added a Recipes corner to the site, simple family friendly things to make together. First up: homemade lemonade with the kids.
By Leigh
Shortstown Post Office to close on 9 August: what it means for residents, and the fight to keep a service in the village
Shortstown is set to lose its Post Office. The branch inside the Morrisons Daily store on North Drive will close on Sunday 9 August 2026, after Morrisons confirmed it is shutting the store and taking the Post Office counter down with it. It is the latest blow to a fast-growing community that has already seen
By Leigh
Have your say: 20mph zone and parking restrictions proposed for Shortstown’s new streets
Residents of Shortstown are being invited to have their say on two new traffic proposals for the streets being built as part of Bellway Homes’ Cardington Hangars development. Bedford Borough Council is proposing a 20mph speed limit zone and a restricted parking zone covering Mason Road and the surrounding residential streets. Both schemes are required
By Leigh
The Shorts Building comes home: historic landmark secured for the people of Shortstown
After more than a century in government and private hands, the building that gave our village its name now belongs to the people of Shortstown. By Leigh Coombs Some stories are a privilege to write, and this is one of them. Shortstown Parish Council has completed the purchase of the Shorts Building, the historic landmark
By Leigh
BedX launches in Bedford — and businesses across our ward are right in the middle of the opportunity
More than 400 local businesses packed King’s House for the launch of BedX — the Bedfordshire Opportunity Exchange. Cllr Leigh Coombs reports on what it means for businesses across our ward — Shortstown, Cardington, Cople and Cotton End — and the wider Bedford Borough.
By Leigh
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Community Network
Let me describe and idea for you. I’ll start with a question or two. In what kind of community do we want to live? Is it a community where we live in isolation, disconnected from our neighbours, commuting in and out of the neighbourhood for work, leisure and meaningful relationships? I believe most of us
By Community Network
Your Local Bus Services Are Changing: What You Need to Know
From 31 May 2026, Stagecoach will make significant changes to bus routes serving Shortstown, Cotton End, Cardington and Cople — including the removal of Newton Street and Potter Meadows stops from Service 3, but with new school-time services secured for Bedford Academy students.
By Leigh