Why the project startedJill and I came to Bedford in 1970, shortly after our marriage. I suppose we intended to come just for three years, but career situations dictated otherwise. As time went on, we began to appreciate Bedfordshire and all that it offers. The education system was good, there was a strong music tradition which my daughters took full advantage of, we found the medical services excellent, and access to Oxford, Cambridge, London, Milton Keynes, Birmingham etc. was easy. In 1995, when the Internet was yet in its infancy, I came across a web-site purporting to describe Bedford, but which at that time claimed to inform people where they could buy their drugs, and so on. It gave a pretty dismal image of the place. Angered by this, I set about developing this web-site in order to redress the balance, and the site has grown as years have passed. If one is determined to go about seeing the worst of Bedford, it is never difficult to confirm one's prejudices. I have sought to report what I appreciate about the town and county, as I think that, whatever detractors may wish to say, it has so much to offer those who participate and contribute to the place. The weekly news update comes from the Times&Citizen, and Bedfordshire on Sunday, together with items of my own. (As I set aside Friday and Saturday to complete it, BOS often arrives after the article is on-line, so their main articles come in the following week). It is not just one-way traffic, of course. In addition to the very kind comments made in the web-site's Guest book, I have received many emails from people both locally and around the world, and have been invited to all sorts of activities which I have been able to report in the weekly newsletter. I always welcome emails, and seek to answer them all. And if there are any activities that local people know about, and that are not being publicised, please do let me know. Do have a look at two other web-sites dealing with the area:
Many thanks! Robert Leggat |