Bedford, or the Borough of Bedford, is a

local government district Local may refer to: Geography and transportation * Local (train), a train serving local traffic demand * Local, Missouri, a community in the United States Arts, entertainment, and media * ''Local'' (comics), a limited series comic book by Bria ...

with

borough status Borough status is granted by royal charter to local government districts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The status is purely honorary, and does not give any additional powers to the council or inhabitants of the district. In Scotland, si ...

in the ceremonial county of

Bedfordshire Bedfordshire (; abbreviated ''Beds'') is a Ceremonial County, ceremonial county in the East of England. It is bordered by Northamptonshire to the north, Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Hertfordshire to the south and the south-east, and Buckin ...

, England. It is administered by

Bedford Borough Council Bedford Borough Council is the local authority of the Borough of Bedford, a local government district in the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire, England. The town of Bedford was a borough from at least the 12th century until 1974, when the moder ...

, a

unitary authority A unitary authority is a type of local government, local authority in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Unitary authorities are responsible for all local government functions within its area or performing additional functions that elsewhere are ...

. The council is based in

Bedford Bedford is a market town in Bedfordshire, England. At the 2011 Census, the population was 106,940. Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire and seat of the Borough of Bedford local government district. Bedford was founded at a ford (crossin ...

, the borough's namesake and principal settlement, which is the

county town In Great Britain and Ireland, a county town is usually the location of administrative or judicial functions within a county, and the place where public representatives are elected to parliament. Following the establishment of county councils in ...

of Bedfordshire. The Bedford built-up-area is the 71st largest in the United Kingdom and also includes

Kempston Kempston is a town and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, situated around south-west of Bedford town centre. It had a population of 19,330 in the 2011 census, and forms part of the wider Bedford built-up area. The ...

and

Biddenham Biddenham is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England, located around west of Bedford town centre near the A428 road. It forms part of the wider Bedford urban area. History The earliest archaeological e ...

. Away from the Bedford built-up area the borough includes a large rural area with many villages. 75% of the borough's population live in the Bedford built-up and the five large villages which surround it, which makes up slightly less than 6% of the total land area of the borough. The borough is also the location of the

Wixams Wixams is a new town and civil parish located in Bedfordshire, England, which has been under construction since early 2007. It is expected to become the third largest settlement in the Borough of Bedford after Bedford itself and Kempston, and on ...

new settlement, immediately south of Bedford, which received its first residents in 2009.

History

The

ancient borough An ancient borough was a historic unit of lower-tier local government in England and Wales England and Wales () is one of the Law of the United Kingdom#Legal jurisdictions, three legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom. It covers the co ...

of Bedford was a borough by prescription, with its original date of incorporation unknown. The earliest surviving charter was issued c. 1166 by

Henry II Henry II may refer to: Kings * Saint Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor (972–1024), crowned King of Germany in 1002, of Italy in 1004 and Emperor in 1014 *Henry II of England (1133–89), reigned from 1154 *Henry II of Jerusalem and Cyprus (1271–1 ...

, confirming to the borough the liberties and customs which it had held in the reign of

Henry I Henry I or Henri I may refer to: :''In chronological order'' * Henry I the Fowler, King of Germany (876–936) * Henry I, Duke of Bavaria (died 955) * Henry I of Austria, Margrave of Austria (died 1018) * Henry I of France (1008–1060) * Henry ...

. The borough became a

municipal borough A municipal borough was a type of local government Local government is a generic term for the lowest tiers of governance or public administration within a particular sovereign state. Local governments typically constitute a subdivision of ...

under the

Municipal Corporations Act 1835 The Municipal Corporations Act 1835 ( 5 & 6 Will. 4. c. 76), sometimes known as the Municipal Reform Act, was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that reformed local government in the incorporated boroughs of England and Wales. The le ...

. The District of Bedford was formed on 1 April 1974 as a merger of the existing borough of Bedford, along with

Kempston Urban District Kempston was an Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland), urban district in Bedfordshire, England between 1896 and 1974. Formation The historic parish of Kempston covered a large area to the south-west of the town of Bedford. From 1835 Kemps ...

and Bedford Rural District. In 1975 the district was granted a

royal charter A royal charter is a formal grant issued by a monarch under royal prerogative as letters patent. Historically, they have been used to promulgate public laws, the most famous example being the English Magna Carta (great charter) of 1215, but ...

granting borough status as North Bedfordshire. The borough changed its name back from North Bedfordshire to Bedford in 1992. Bedfordshire's administrative structure was reorganised as part of the

2009 structural changes to local government in England On 1 April 2009 structural changes to local government in England took place which reformed the local government of seven Non-metropolitan county, non-metropolitan counties: Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, County Durham, Shropshire, Northumber ...

, meaning that Bedford Borough Council became a

in April 2009.

assumed responsibility in areas such as education, social services and transport which were previously provided by

Bedfordshire County Council Bedfordshire County Council was the county council of Bedfordshire in England. It was created in 1889 and abolished in 2009. Throughout its existence, the council was based in Bedford. Luton was a county borough independent from the county cou ...

Governance

The council is based at Borough Hall on Cauldwell Street on the banks of the

River Great Ouse The River Great Ouse ( ) is a river in England, the longest of several British rivers called "Ouse". From Syresham in Northamptonshire, the Great Ouse flows through Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk to drain into the ...

in the centre of Bedford. The building was previously known as County Hall and had been the headquarters of Bedfordshire County Council prior to 2009. The unitary authority area is divided into 28 wards for elections to the Borough Council.

Parishes

Most of the area of the pre-1974 municipal borough of Bedford is unparished, although the parish of

Brickhill Brickhill is a civil parishes in England, civil parish and Ward (politics), electoral ward within northern Bedford in Bedfordshire, England. The boundaries of Brickhill are approximately Kimbolton Road to the east, Bedford Park, Bedford, Bedfor ...

was created within that area in 2004. The rest of the modern borough, including Kempston (the borough's only CP with a

town council A town council, city council or municipal council is a form of local government for small municipalities. Usage of the term varies under different jurisdictions. Republic of Ireland In 2002, 49 urban district councils and 26 town commissi ...

), is parished. The parishes are: *

* Bletsoe *

Bolnhurst and Keysoe Bolnhurst and Keysoe is a civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 734, reducing to 719 at the 2011 Census. The parish includes the villages of Bolnhurst and Keysoe, ...

* Bromham * Cardington *

Carlton and Chellington Carlton with Chellington is a civil parish in the historical Hundred of Willey in Bedfordshire, England, and is within the Borough of Bedford. The parish is situated on the South bank of the River Great Ouse The River Great Ouse ( ) is a ...

Clapham Clapham () is a district in south London, south west London, England, lying mostly within the London Borough of Lambeth, but with some areas (including Clapham Common) extending into the neighbouring London Borough of Wandsworth. History Ea ...

Colmworth Colmworth is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in the county of Bedfordshire, England about north-east of Bedford. The parish, including the hamlet of Duck's Cross, had a population of 393 at the 2011 census. Geography Co ...

Cople Cople is a village and civil parish in the English county of Bedfordshire. The name Cople is derived from the phrase ''Cock Pool'', a place where chickens were kept, that was mentioned in the Domesday Book. History Cople is part of the anc ...

Cotton End Cotton End is a small village and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England. It became a parish as of 1 April 2019, having previously been part of the parish of Eastcotts. It is within the Borough of Bedford. Ordnance Survey maps from the 1880s sho ...

Dean and Shelton Dean and Shelton is a civil parish in the Bedford district, in the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire Bedfordshire (; abbreviated ''Beds'') is a Ceremonial County, ceremonial county in the East of England. It is bordered by Northamptonshire t ...

Elstow Elstow is a village and civil parishes in England, civil parish in the Borough of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, about south of Bedford town centre. History The Countess Judith of Lens, niece of William the Conqueror, founded a Benedictin ...

Felmersham Felmersham is a small village and civil parishes in England, civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England, on the River Great Ouse, about north west of Bedford. As a civil parish, it includes the hamlet of Radwell, Bedfordsh ...

Great Barford Great Barford is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, around north-east of Bedford town centre. It lies on the River Great Ouse at . It is twinned with Wöllstein, Germany. The village is bypassed by the ...

Great Denham Great Denham is a village and civil parishes in England, civil parish located in Bedfordshire, England, on the western outskirts of Bedford. The village is the location of Bedford Golf Course. History Great Denham has evidence of Neolithic settl ...

* Harrold *

* Kempston Rural *

Knotting and Souldrop Knotting and Souldrop is a civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in the county of Bedfordshire, England. The two parishes of Knotting Knotting may refer to: *tying a knot A knot is an intentional complication in Rope, cordage which may be ...

Little Barford Little Barford is a hamlet and civil parishes in England, civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England about northeast of the county town of Bedford. The 2011 census combines other data for Little Barford with Wyboston, Chaw ...

Little Staughton Little Staughton is a small village and civil parish located in the north of Bedfordshire. The parish church, All Saints, is set apart from the present village – the previous village having been abandoned following an outbreak of the Bubonic ...

Melchbourne and Yielden Melchbourne and Yielden is a civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in the county of Bedfordshire, England. The two parishes of Melchbourne and Yelden Yelden or Yielden is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Melchbourn ...

Milton Ernest Milton Ernest is a village and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England, about north of Bedford itself. It had a population of 754 in 2001. This had risen to 761 according to the 2011 census.//www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/Lea ...

* Oakley * Odell *

Pavenham Pavenham is a small village and civil parish on the River Great Ouse in the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England, about north-west of Bedford. Village amenities consist of St Peter's Church, a pub, Village hall, tennis Club, Cricket Clu ...

Pertenhall Pertenhall is a small village and civil parishes in England, civil parish located in Bedfordshire, close to the borders of Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Its parish council is a Quality Parish Council. It has recently published its Parish ...

Podington Podington is a village and civil parishes in England, civil parish in Bedfordshire, England, United Kingdom. The village is within the Wards of the United Kingdom, electoral ward of Harrold, Bedfordshire, Harrold in the Borough of Bedford. Podi ...

Ravensden Ravensden is a village and civil parish located in the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England. The parish borders the town of Bedford, with Mowsbury Park, farmland and Freeman's Common acting as a buffer between the two settlements. The vi ...

Renhold Renhold is a village and civil parish located on the River Ouse, in the Borough of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. The parish church is situated some 4 miles (6.5 km) east-north-east of Bedford town centre. The former Bedfordshire County ...

* Riseley * Roxton *

Sharnbrook Sharnbrook is a village and civil parish located in the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England, situated around north-west of Bedford town centre. The settlement was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a parish within the Hundred o ...

Shortstown Shortstown is a village and civil parish on the outskirts of Bedford, on a ridge above the River Great Ouse, originally called Tinkers Hill. The ridge overlooks Harrowden to the north and Cotton End to the south. The village name is taken f ...

Stagsden Stagsden is a small but historic village and civil parish located in the Borough of Bedford, northwest Bedfordshire, England, near the Buckinghamshire border. Situated around west of Bedford town centre on one of the main routes between it and ...

* Staploe *

Stevington Stevington is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford in northern Bedfordshire, England. It is on the River Great Ouse four to five miles northwest of Bedford. Nearby villages include Bromham, Oakley, Pavenham and Turvey. Wes ...

Stewartby Stewartby is a model village and civil parishes in England, civil parish in Bedfordshire, England, originally built for the workers of the London Brick Company. The village was designed and built to the plans of the company's architect Mr F W W ...

* Swineshead *

Thurleigh Thurleigh is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Bedford, north Bedfordshire, England, situated around north of Bedford town centre. History Excavations have shown evidence the locality was occupied in the Iron-Age, Roman and Saxo ...

* Turvey * Wilden * Willington * Wilshamstead *

* Wootton * Wyboston, Chawston and Colesden * Wymington

Freedom of the Borough

The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Borough of Bedford.

Individuals

Etienne Stott Etienne Stott Order of the British Empire, MBE (born 30 June 1979) is an English Whitewater slalom, slalom canoeist who started competing at the international level in 2002, initially in the K1 category, but switching to C2 in 2005 ...

: 11 December 2012.

Military Units

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment was the final title of a line infantry regiment of the British Army that was originally formed in 1688. After centuries of service in many conflicts and wars, including both the First and Second World W ...

: November 1955 *

RAF Cardington The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of the Royal Flying Corps ( ...

: 16 July 1959. * 287 Regiment Royal Artillery: 5 May 1963. * 1st Battalion

Royal Anglian Regiment The Royal Anglian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the British Army. It consists of two Regular battalions and one Army Reserve (United Kingdom), Reserve battalion. The modern regiment was formed in 1964, making it the oldest of the line regi ...

: 1980. * 201 (

Hertfordshire Hertfordshire ( or ; often abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial county in the East of England and one of the home counties. It borders Bedfordshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Essex to the east, Greater London to the ...

and

Yeomanry) Battery

Royal Artillery The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery (RA) and colloquially known as "The Gunners", is one of two regiments that make up the artillery arm of the British Army. The Royal Regiment of Artillery comprises t ...

(

Volunteers Volunteering is an elective and freely chosen act of an individual or group giving their time and labor, often for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergenc ...

): 3 May 1986. *

RAF Henlow Royal Air Force Henlow or more simply RAF Henlow is a Royal Air Force station in Bedfordshire, England, equidistant from Bedford, Luton and Stevenage. It houses the RAF Centre of Aerospace Medicine and the Joint Arms Control Implementation ...

: 26 September 1992. * 774th USAF Airbase Group: 15 December 1994. * 134 (Bedford) Squadron

Air Training Corps The Air Training Corps (ATC) is a British Youth organisations in the United Kingdom, volunteer youth organisation; aligned to, and fostering the knowledge and learning of military values, primarily focusing on military aviation. Part of the ...

: 1 August 1999.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bedford, Borough of Local government districts of Bedfordshire Local government in Bedfordshire Unitary authority districts of England English unitary authorities created in 2009 Boroughs in England