Tuesday, June 30

With all the Michael Jackson jokes doing the rounds in the office, the newsdesk is slightly suspicious when it gets a message from an unknown man ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday, June 28

It's not only the weather that has been hotting up... one of our readers, Kelly Massey, sends us a picture of a modern day High Noon showdown between two ice ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday June 26

Two political heavyweights were speaking at a business breakfast, Mid Beds MP Nadine Dorries and Bedford Mayor Frank Branston...

() [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday June 24

The definition of irony was well documented at tonight's Bedford Borough Council executive committee...
() [Read More Balls]

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Monday June 22

While all eyes have been peeled to the MPs' expenses scandal, according to the Daily Telegraph Bedford's Labour MP Patrick Hall has, unnoticed, done a spot of ‘flipping' of his own... () [Read More Balls]

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Saturday June 20

A friend tells me how annoyed he was not to be able to find a copy of his favourite daily newspaper at Luton Airport...

() [Read More Balls]

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Friday June 19

A trip to the bookies could be in order this weekend if the press release that arrived in our inbox is to be believed ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday June 17

It appears that not everyone is disappointed at not being elected to Bedford Borough Council ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday June 16

Editor Lowe is in London this evening. As he arrives at St Pancras for his journey home, he receives a text from Mrs Editor asking if he is on his way ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday, June 10

The multi-purpose iPhone is all the rage ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday, June 9

It's that time of year again. Today the office receives its first notice of a Christmas pantomime ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday, June 8

Our eagle-eyed readers continue to inform us of the the exciting offers at Tesco ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday, June 5

With the election count well underway at Bedford Corn Exchange our reporter Simon Hutchinson's heart drops ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday, May 28

Thhere's rather a lot of early morning vehicle noise outside Chez Ball which turns out to be TWO rather large DSD wagons ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday, May 27

Mid-Beds political wannabe, former pop star David Van Day, is making an early appearance in his quest to win over voters in Woburn ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday, May 24

It is one thing writing and producing Bedfordshire on Sunday... but the bloke in the royal blue football shirt pushing copies of this newspaper through doors in Bedford looks remarkably ... () [Read More Balls]

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Saturday, May 23

Bedford MP Patrick Hall gets a call and hears the dreaded words ‘You're in the Telegraph'. But his only worry should be the 15-year-old picture they have used of him, complete ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday, May 22

It's amazing how many of our readers forget that we are a NEWSPAPER ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday, May 21

Take That are in town and our deputy editor Chris Gill is in hot pursuit – with just one problem ... (23/05/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday, May 20

Who says things never change in Bedford town centre? ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday, May 19

Reporter Keeley Knowles picks up two very miserable holiday-makers from Luton Airport ... (23/05/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Monday, May 18

Former sports editor Mike Green was not renowned for his fitness routines ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday, May 17

I call in at the Pilgrim's Progress for a quiet drink, where there is no hint of having to show my passport to gain admission ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday May 14

There's a feisty football match on TV, but it fails to match the outrage of Mrs B who has been doing her Tesco shopping on the internet ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday May 8

We get a story of an A level student who has had his coursework stolen. Thieves broke into his family home and among other items took a memory stick with his ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday May 12

Councillor Barry Huckle, finance portfolio holder in the mayor's cabinet, has shown that not every politician is out for everything he can get ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday May 7

A visitor to Bedford Tourist Information gets a bit of a shock today as he tries to purchase a pin badge ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday May 6

Traffic is one of the few issues where I find myself in agreement with my editor. The morning school run is a nightmare ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday May 3

There's great expectancy at Bedford railway station as families head for a day out in London – which I hope it will be once they get over the drag of ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday, April 30

Editor Lowe has a a five o'clock assignation in Bushmead Avenue, Bedford ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday April 29

Woolworths may have gone but the pick and mix goes on forever (02/05/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Monday, April 27

We get calls from loyal subjects who work at Police HQ in Kempston concerned a repaint of the canteen has coincided with the disappearance off the wall of pictures of ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday, April 26

Groans all round at this sign ... (02/05/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday April 22

An eagle-eyed reader spots just why Tesco is raking in so much money these days. You'd do well to check your receipt ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday April 20

I GET a Google alert on a Bedfordshire story. As usual it is one of our stories coming back at us from another newspaper ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday April 19

There's no understating the joy success on a football field can bring. And so it was that the blue side of the office triumphed in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final between Man ... (25/04/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Thursday April 16

The Cross Keys pub on the corner of Bedford's High Street has been up for sale for some considerable time ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday April 15

Readers of a certain age may remember a TV show called ‘The Beverley Hillbillies' which was popular in the 1960s, when I was still in short trousers. (Mrs Ball remembers ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday April 14

I call the First Capital Connect press office about complaints their staff had been rude over delays at the ticket office ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday April 13

My editor is out with one of his mates (yes, he has more than one) enjoying a pint in the Kings Arms, Bedford ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday April 10

The Bedford Athletic manager Mick Bowden has two players being called up for international rugby duty (see sport) ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday April 9

Last week we recorded ‘The Mentalist' onto our hard drive ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday April 5

Luton Town fans are making their way to Wembley today for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final ...
(11/04/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Saturday April 4

Our sports editor gets a call shortly after bringing the afternoon shifts to order following the Grand National ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday April 2

A colleague returns from the LA Fitness gym on Kimbolton Road less refreshed than he might have hoped ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday April 1

Oh how the office loves April Fool's Day! For a number of weeks snapper Steven Prouse has been whingeing that he hasn't had a new car as promised, so the ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday March 30

A reader sends us this business card, and sincerely hopes the pilot's flying is better than his ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday March 27

Someone has performed a real tiger feat on the island opposite the boating lake on the Embankment in Bedford ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday March 26

Sub editor Tom Leech is recalling a story to our Luton Town photographer on the phone today about his mate's girlfriend ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday March 25

With days to go it seems that Bedfordshire County Council is holding on to the small amount of power that it still has ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday March 24

A few weeks ago I wrote of a colleague's problems at Flitwick railway station ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday March 23

A friend reluctantly drags his backside down to Fitness First gym at Aspects Leisure Park, Bedford ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday, March 19

We have some information for the UK Borders Agency but it is not easy trying to improve the country's security ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday March 16

The phone trills and it is Wilstead councillor Barry Huckle lamenting his apparent departure from public office, as incorrectly stated in last week's BoS ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday March 15

Yet another tale of woe and mishap from people trying to get in and out of London by public transport at the weekend ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday March 13

Chairman of the Conservative Party, Eric Pickles is in Bedford today. He is here to put some steel into the local party, which has been at odds with itself lately... (14/03/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Thursday March 12

A funny little ‘thought for the day' story is sent out by a council press officer, on the way women always give back more than they receive...

(14/03/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Monday March 9

A few weeks ago we reported that production worker on our sister paper, The Advertiser, Alex Hough, who lives in Rydal Crescent,Biggleswade, has had his underwear stolen from his washing... (14/03/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Friday March 6

Residents of the Stewartby area will be well aware that there are plans afoot to build a giant incinerator in the neighbourhood ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday March 5

It is proving to be an extremely testing day for young reporter Keeley Knowles ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday March 3

No names, but this particular BoS staffer (okay he is the one who mans the camera) gets his credit card bill and sees one of his transactions relates to Tesco, ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday March 2

A friend mulls over how good business must be at one of the town's car dealers ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday February 26

The reputation of our modest scribe Keeley Knowles (she blushes when people actually ask her if she is THE Keeley Knowles) continues to grow ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday February 25

Labour group members are having a chuckle to themselves at full council tonight at a note that is being passed around by ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday February 24

There is a belief today that young people will go to any lengths to have their 15 minutes of fame ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday February 23

An eagle-eyed reader, driving past the newly built Spires development on ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday February 22

If you wish to see a film at Cineworld, Milton Keynes, you look at teletext and are told Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino is on at 3.20pm, so you set off ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday February 18

Snapper Steven Prouse is not having a very good morning ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday February 17

We receive a press release today from the county council, stating that a joint ‘bus users' surgery' is to be held on Friday ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday February 16

The Mayor's office receives a letter from a Mr SJ Tidd complaining in forthright terms that the Mayor has not taken his shovel and cleared the snow from outside his ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday February 15

This afternoon I attended a charity event at Bedford Blues Rugby Club which was raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust ... (21/02/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday February 11

News reaches the office today that when not falling out among themselves and calling each other nasty names, the local Tories are encouraging people to join them every week to ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday February 10

Sub editor Brian Barron is a man for whom the words ‘cool, calm and collected' are woefully inadequate ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday February 9

Things we wish we had witnessed, No 38 in the series ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday February 8

It comes to my attention there was one lonely trader on the gourmet and farmers' market on Thursday ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday February 5

MY editor gets a phone call ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday February 4

Scenes from office life, number 38 in an occasional series ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday February 3

In common with many other parents I am listening to Heart Bedfordshire Radio (formerly the ill-fated Chiltern Radio) to check whether or not our little cherub's school is open ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday January 28

Today Ms Knowles irons her finger instead of her blouse (ouch) ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday January 27

Chasing a Freedom of Information request to the Ambulance Service, reporter Keeley Knowles finds herself being directed to various people, none of whom seemed to know who the officer involved ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday January 26

There are many ways to confuse a scouser, but this one at the Fitness First gym at Aspects Leisure Park is a bit different ... (31/01/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Thursday January 22

It's a dismal, wet day in the east – except as far as Bedfordshire on Sunday is concerned ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday January 21

We call a London press office regarding a query over the Argos distribution centre. We often get answer phones, but this one tells us they are closed over the Christmas ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday January 19

I am heading to Northampton on the A428. The road has more cameras than Hollywood ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday January 16

ONE of the rejoinders journalists often make to the complaint about news always being bad news ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday January 15

The Times & Citizen today has a story about Bedford's annual state of the borough debate, which took place yesterday ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday January 14

I receive a package, which contains a box, inside which is another box. Inside that is a puzzle ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday January 13

One of our number asks his wife what she would like to do on her birthday ... (17/01/2009) [Read More Balls]

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Thursday January 8

News reaches us today that Bedfordshire County Council will be holding a special concert on February 8 at Bedford Corn Exchange as part of its final farewell ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday January 7

A press release informs us that homes in Bedford are infected with more than 103 thousand billion dust mites ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday January 5

My editor receives a letter today blaming him for a social faux pas ... () [Read More Balls]

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John Crystal Ball

A seasonal look into the future from John ‘call me Crystal'Ball... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday December 24

Bedford Borough Council can now be considered on a par with Ebenezer Scrooge himself with their purse pinching tactics. Everyone has been pleased all week that the town centre car ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday December 23

Sports Editor Alex Finkenrath is visiting Bedford Hospital to take some pictures of Bedford Eagles on their seasonal visit ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday December 19

I arrive at work this morning to a less than pleasant sight ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday December 18

Advertisements are being shown for the new development at Britannia Riverside,Bedford. To those of us of a certain age, that used to be the George Fischer site opposite Bedford Hospital ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday December 17

Last week I mentioned that new colleagues from the Northampton Herald and Post series of newspapers were surprised to receive a letter from Trinity Mirror asking them why they had ... (20/12/2008) [Read More Balls]

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Friday December 12

Reporter Keeley Knowles comes to a grinding halt on a stylistic point while writing an article ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday December 11

Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire, has finally made it ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday December 10

If you are freezing your nether-regions off while Christmas shopping then we have a handy hint for you ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday December 9

I am in a hostelry discussing the forthcoming Test match between India and England with Cllr Apu Bagchi ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday December 8

While shopping in Kempston's Sainsburys tonight I see that the credit crunch is affecting the instore deals ... () [Read More Balls]

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Saturday December 6

Former sports editor Mike Green is having a day out ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday December 5

We are always having a go at public bodies which send out letters on automatic pilot...

() [Read More Balls]

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Thursday December 4

Further delight is inspired by the news that the county council's Cllr Madeline ‘Maddy'Russell is to join the East of England Development Agency..

() [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday December 3

I receive a call today from an irate woman who believes that the State Opening of Parliament should be abolished...

() [Read More Balls]

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Thursday November 27

Our sports editor is lucky enough to attend filming for a new television sketch series from Gavin and Stacy star James Corden ... () [Read More]

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Wednesday November 26

While I am still delighted with the fact that the Environment Agency has a fisheries officer called Mr Hooker, I receive news today that ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday November 25

A colleague's missus is having a chat with their precocious five-year old on the eve of her sixth birthday. It goes something like this ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday November 24

Deputy editor Chris Gill tells of son No 2 being stopped by police as he is driving through Bedford town centre late on a Sunday night ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday November 20

Reporter Keeley Knowles' injured partner takes a trip down to A&E after dislocating his knee. While waiting to be seen he overhears the receptionist asking what she believes are necessary questions ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday November 19

My editor has to be in Luton today, as he was yesterday. After his constant moaning about the traffic and parking we suggest he catches the train, as it is faster ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday November 18

At a press launch for Peter Pan, the panto at MK Theatre starring Henry ‘The Fonz' Winkler, Leisure Editor Sue Brickay says hello to a pretty girl with blonde hair ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday November 17

Leisure editor Sue Brickay is happily tucking into a six-pack of McCoy's Meaty crisps ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday November 14

Working on a newsdesk you get used to being fobbed off every now and again but today our reporter is left speechless when he calls Vodafone and asks to speak ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday November 13

One of our reporters gets an email from the Treasury asking if he want a media press pack on the pre-budget statement. He sends back ‘yes please' on the chance it ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday November 12

What councillors use their email addresses for can be very questionable sometimes. Today I am flicking through the growing list of blogs that elected members now seem to have when I ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday November 11

A hard of hearing caller wants to send over a press release about something so exciting I can't remember. She asks reporter Keeley Knowles which email address to send it to.Keeley ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday November 6

To County Hall to hear details of the county council's ‘legacy' plans. We learn that among various other delights, the council is planning a final meeting before it slips beneath the ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday November 4

A friend of mine catches the train to Heathrow. Knowing of my complaints that our train service is the least enlightened, most expensive in the world, he texts me to say ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday November 3

Residents have often complained of bureaucracy at the tidy tip so one prankster decides to have a laugh at the county council ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday November 2

Borough councillors Andrew McConnell and Peter Hand stop off at the mini-supermarket in Church Lane, Goldington so that Cllr McConnell can get some essential provisions for the week ahead ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday October 31

New boy on the block Chris Gill bumps into an acquaintance in Bedford and informs him of his job at BoS ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday October 30

Phone calls can be very trying at times. Reporter Simon Hutchinson calls Bedford Pilgrim Housing Association's press office to ask about overgrown hedges but is mystified by the receptionist's response ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday October 29

News that a £235,542 lottery prize remains unclaimed, the winning ticket having been bought in the Bedford area, provokes a hopeful search of pockets in the newsroom ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday October 28

An eagle-eyed reader calls the office today to question an article about parking on grass verges ... (01/11/2008) [Read More Balls]

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Monday October 27

One of our reporters spends part of last week pursuing a story of unrest among staff at E.ON in Bedford ... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday October 24

We get a lot of extra mail at work this morning, which may be good news – cheques, stories – or bad news – bills, solicitors' letters ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday October 23

Sometimes the politically correct cannot help making fools of themselves ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday October 22

It seems various food retailers are dealing with the credit crunch in different ways. A cursory scan of the latest Chinese restaurant menu to come through the door reveals the normal ... (25/10/2008) [Read More Balls]

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Saturday October 18

I call Mr John Watson, the chairman of the local Conservative party ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday October 16

I get a phonecall from an irate consumer who says he was charged 50p for a glass of tap water at a restaurant ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday October 15

I am stuck in a traffic jam around Bedford's market square ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday October 14

Web editor James Cunliffe turns up for work telling the newsroom that he's lucky to be at work at all ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday October 13

I receive a very proud British Wind Energy Association press release that confirms Prime Minister Gordon Brown will be addressing the delegates on the first day of its annual conference, ... () [Read More Balls]

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Sunday October 12

Having enjoyed a lunch with friends we take all our children to the little park off Hatfield Crescent to make the most of the glorious weather... (25/10/2008) [Read More Balls]

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Thursday October 9

I get a call from an irate reader who tells me Bedford took a hit on TalkSport radio this morning. In a discussion about Noel Gallagher's claim that Britain is now ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday October 8

While watching the latest twist in the credit crunch unfold, enjoying the irony of the most right-wing Labour Government in history nationalising the commanding heights of the economy, I notice ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday October 7

Editor Lowe meets a minister today. Not the religious kind, which might be a step too far for both of them ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday October 2

Is it just me? I get a press release today which I quote: ‘When it comes to sexy eyes, Doctor Who stars David Tennant and Billie Piper have the peepers ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday October 6

I am driving into Bedford and have to steer clear of a cyclist wobbling in the traffic on the railway bridge near County Hall, Bedford ... (25/10/2008) [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday October 1

I am told by a press release that today is UK Older People Day. It has been launched by the Government and aims to ‘take a positive view of later life, ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday September 29

My friend is at the Conservative party conference.He gets about a bit ... () [Read More Balls]

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Saturday September 27

This sign is spotted outside Hobgoblins in Bedford High Street. Any idea who might belong to such a club?... () [Read More Balls]

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Friday September 26

The water-ski picture is sent to me by Tony Margiocchi. Which shows that you do not have to be a spring chicken to partake in such sports, or one to take ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday September 25

Our snapper is off to the forthcoming beer festival in Bedford to take some early shots – not to enjoy some early beers, I hasten to add ... (27/09/2008) [Read More Balls]

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Friday September 19

I receive a press release today telling me that Monday is Goose Day, and according to an old English proverb if you eat goose on this day you will not ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday September 18

Borough and county councillor Peter Hand tells me of an incident earlier today, when he is asked for his autograph ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday September 10

It seems we have overlooked a famous actor in our midst ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday September 9

‘Summer' is over, the weather is depressing and the nights are rapidly drawing in. Is there anything that could make us more miserable? You bet there is ... () [Read More Balls]

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Monday September 8

Two Tesco shoppers contact the office to vent their anger at being banned from Bedford stores ... () [Read More Balls]

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Saturday September 6

After a hard week two of our sub-editors wend their way out of the Bedford office. On opening the back door they see a car and driver not known to them ... () [Read More Balls]

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Thursday September 4

CONSERVATIVES may not be too hot on policies but they are certainly beating the opposition into a cocked hat when it comes to blogging. A few months ago Nadine Dorries, MP ... () [Read More Balls]

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Wednesday September 3

WHAT goes around comes around. In the good old pre quango days, Bedfordshire had a county NHS, which was part of the regional NHS, which was part of the national ... () [Read More Balls]

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Tuesday September 2

MY editor Steve Lowe is at our sister newspaper offices in Hertford today. He gets about a bit these days.While there he is in need of a comfort break – they ... () [Read More Balls]

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Saturday August 30

AFTER enjoying a day of music and festivities at the Rhythm Festival at Twinwoods it is a relief to see a bus running from the arena to the car park ... () [Read More Balls]

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