Today is Bedfordshire Day, a day to celebrate our county and all things Bedfordshire from clangers and chocolate toothpaste to our flag and our history including the anniversary of the birth of John Bunyan.

The Bedfordshire flag will be proudly flying outside Borough Hall again today.

Approximately 12,000 people are estimated to have come to the Christmas lights switch-on and fireworks display on Bedford Embankment on Sunday night.

The now traditional fireworks display to mark the start of the Christmas season here in Bedford, with lights switched-on to illuminate across the town is always a popular event in the local calendar, organised and funded by Bedford Borough Council.

General elections are always important, and the contest fast approaching on 12th December is absolutely critical for local communities and the country as a whole. So it's vital that residents across Bedford Borough are registered to vote.

The deadline for registering is imminent, at midnight on Tuesday 26 November. If you're not registered yet follow this link, and don't delay!

It was so good to see so many people enjoying the Christmas Fair, Christmas Lights switch-on and fireworks this weekend. Thank you to everyone who helped organise the events.

You can see some photographs of the fireworks on my facebook page and a video on Bedford Events facebook page.

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have praised the Council and all partners involved following the publication of the annual safeguarding vulnerable adults report for 2018/19.

The report, published by the Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board, reveals that there was a large increase in safeguarding concerns reported to Bedford Borough Council's Adult Safeguarding Team across the year. 2325 concerns were raised, compared to 1972 in 2017/18.

A series of Christmas craft workshops and a cultural shopping experience kick off today at The Higgins Bedford, with several opportunities to get into the festive spirit over the next two weekends.

The programme of events is as follow

Saturday 23 November: Christmas Crafts - Wellbeing Saturday

Today, Saturday 23 November, Christmas Crafts joins Wellbeing Saturday. Alongside the regular tea party poetry and table-top games, visitors can design and make festive paper stars to add to their Christmas decorations at home. This is free to join from 1pm to 4pm, no booking required.

Watch Mayor Dave Hodgson talk about the range of benefits which the High Street regeneration project under Transporting Bedford 2020 will bring.

The scheme will see vehicle traffic reduced to one lane, with wider pavements and more space for shoppers and pedestrians, along with upgraded paving and a general decluttering of the environment.

This week, posters will be going up across the borough to raise awareness with the public about services and support for rough sleepers. Alongside this, the Bedford Homeless Partnership has established an alternative giving fund, which will be known as "Real Change".

The Real Change Fund will pay for projects and items rough sleepers need to build lives away from the streets. Examples would be a copy of a birth certificate, to help claim benefits; clothes for a job interview, or a deposit for a flat.