Mayor Dave Hodgson has wished a happy Eid-al-Fitr to all.

Commenting on his Facebook page earlier, Mayor Dave said:

"Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating across Bedford Borough and beyond. Wishing a happy Eid-al-Fitr to all. #EidMubarak‬"

Mayor Dave Hodgson has thanked everyone involved in a packed weekend of free family festival fun in Bedford, following the International Kite Festival and first Bedford Festival of Motoring at Russell Park and the Embankment.

There were an estimated 30,000 visitors over the weekend enjoying the spectacle provided the kite flyers from around the world in Russell Park, the 300 vehicles on show on the Embankment, the 'Party in the Park' on Saturday evening and more, including funfair rides and food & drink in the park and 'come and try it' activities by Canoe Trail.

Good luck to everyone taking part in the Bedford 10K Road Run tomorrow (Sunday).

As a result of the run there are a number of road closures and some prohibitions on turning along the route between 7am and Midday. The route is along The Embankment, High Street, St Mary's Street, Cardington Road, Longholme Way, Newnham Avenue, Polhill Avenue, Kimbolton Road, Park Avenue, De Parys Avenue, The Broadway, High Street and The Embankment, Bedford.

Summer must be coming, because the Bedford International Kite Festival has come around again. It's taking place this Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June in Russell Park, and this year in addition to the all of the usual attractions at this free event there's a lot more going on besides.

The long-standing Kite Festival will be joined by the inaugural Bedford Festival of Motoring. This year will also see 'Party in the Park' on Saturday evening, hosted by the team behind the dance stage at 2018 River Festival.

Mayor of Bedford Borough Dave Hodgson has given a warm welcome to Bedford to... the Mayor of Bedford! Bedford, Ohio in the United States, that is, whose mayor, Stan Koci, visited Bedford (Bedfordshire) with his wife last week during a European trip to celebrate 50 years of marriage.

Commenting, Mayor Dave said: "It was a real pleasure to welcome Mayor Koci to our Bedford, and to learn a little about their Bedford over in Ohio. We talked about both the similarities and differences of the respective places and of our roles, and of course I wished Mr and Mrs Koci a happy anniversary!"

The Liberal Democrats have secured the best ever European Election result in the party's history, expecting to return 16 MEPs and take second place in vote share.

Having run an unambiguous campaign to stop Brexit the party has made huge gains across the country, which follow the party's best ever gains in English local election results at the start of May.

Responding to the result Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said:

"Our clear, honest, unambiguous message has won us our best ever European election result, and pushed Corbyn's Labour into third place.

"We have shown ourselves to be the strongest Remain force in British politics.

"We will always stand up for the people who have put their faith in us, taking this mandate forward to campaign harder than ever to stop Brexit.

"There is a clear lesson for Labour in tonight's results: get off the fence. In trying to please everybody they have pleased nobody.

"With a Tory leadership contest increasing the risk of a "No Deal" Brexit, Britain can no longer tolerate an Opposition which ducks and dives on the biggest issue of the day.

"If you want to see an outward looking Britain, standing tall in the world with our European partners, and offering opportunity to everyone at home, there is no better moment to shape the future of our party and our politics, by joining the Liberal Democrats."

The Liberal Democrats

This is the best ever result in the European Elections for the Liberal Democrats and by securing second place in the national vote, it is the first time that the Liberal Democrats have beaten both the Conservative and Labour Parties in a UK-wide election. The Liberal Party last did this 101 years ago.

We are on course to triple our 2014 vote share, and have secured our highest vote share since 2010 and are returning our largest ever group of MEPs.

It is the first time we have topped the poll in London, which sends a clear message ahead of next year's mayoral elections that we will be a serious player.

Conservatives

This is the worst ever result for the Conservatives in a UK-wide election. Their previous worst performance in the European Elections was to return 26 MEPs. They have fallen far, far short.

Labour

Labour are on course for their worst ever performance in a UK-wide election. They have never returned fewer than 13 seats and are on course to fall short of that.

The Liberal Democrats Region by Region

Eastern

It's Foster Care Fortnight 2019 across the UK, and Mayor Dave Hodgson and Bedford Borough Council are issuing a call for more foster families in Bedford Borough.

According to The Fostering Network, the UK's leading fostering charity which runs Foster Care Fortnight, over 8,000 more people with the right skills and experience are needed to offer loving, stable and secure homes to children and young people across the UK. In Bedford there is a particular need for those people who might be able to care for children over the age of 8, sibling groups and those who can look after children on a long term basis until they reach adulthood.

Mayor Dave Hodgson has encouraged people to use their vote in today's European elections.

Commenting on Facebook, Mayor Dave wrote:

"Voting is well underway in today's European elections. Make sure you use your vote!

I've cast my vote, for the Liberal Democrats, and if you haven't voted yet polling stations are open until 10pm.