Life Around Bedford Bedfordshire, England
Bedford - Bedfordshire is a the heart of its county in eastern England. The population is large--about eighty thousand people directly in the city itself. This number grows as one includes residents from surrounding towns which are often grouped with Bedford as a whole. It has a large cultural influence on the area.
Due to the rich land, this place was often a key site in agriculture. As with any valuable piece of land, it was coveted and fought over. Many leaders were fond of the Bedford area, one medieval king being buried there to this day. The city is a political Barony seat as well. Though it had a rich history, there are few buildings left to show off. Much war was waged over the area and buildings were destroyed as a result.
The area itself is split into ten districts based on the industries or geography there. This does not count surrounding towns, which would bump the district list much higher and more diverse. However, the area is not as posh as some would like. Many people are happy the city is near Northampton and Cambridge so they can do more shopping.
Despite this, diversity is not a problem. There is a high ratio of first or second generation foreign residents. Many different languages are spoken regularly around Bedford. Most of these immigrants--which came when labor was so highly needed in the 1950s--are Italian, Greek, and eastern Asian.
Memorials in the town are good to check out, especially the World War I memorial. One place also to see is Bedford Castle Mound which really is just a mound of earth and a few remaining stone walls. This is one of the ruins that has been extensively destroyed, though English historical societies are doing what they can to preserve what is left of it. Travel to these sites is easy, since transportation is very good in the city.
It has an unusual school system which operates unlike any other English school system. It is modeled after the American system where students are split into three levels: elementary, middle, and high school. This will continue to undergo modification.
The Cecil Higgins Gallery is Bedford's art gallery that was converted from a Victorian home. The building itself is very stately and beautiful. The historical Corn Exchange, which was a large part of commerce in the middle ages, has now found a different use for the building. It is more of a concert venue and can be rented out for parties and weddings. The town has several theatres and its own football and rugby teams.
