Bedfordshire AAA are putting on a Beds Open meeting over two evenings on Monday 14th June (Field) and Wednesday 16th June (Track) from 6pm.  This is subject to a permit being issued.  These meetings will operate under Covid secure protocols, and you should note that they will probably ask for a negative lateral flow test. These can be ordered online or collected from Pharmacists.  The meetings are aimed at young athletes looking for English Schools qualification marks, although entry will not be exclusive to them.

For more information, see http://bedfordshireaaa.org.uk/Beds%20AAA%20Website/bedsaaa/TandF/index.html

Due to government advice against travelling into Bedford, and in order to be fair to all members, including those from outside the town who may want to attend, the 2021 AGM has been postponed, and will now take place on Tuesday 8th June at 7.45 pm at Bedford International Athletic Stadium.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but like many organisations, were unaware of the advice until this morning.  Click here to see the agenda.

 Howard Darbon, and his team of volunteers have finished the new Wheelchair Racing Section cabin, and it is now being stress tested by the unseasonable May winds!  Good job all.

From Tuesday 18th May we will be operating a bit more normally, but still with some caution due to rising rates in Bedford. Training for groups other than Beagles will start at 6:30 pm.  Access to the stadium will be through reception.  It will be necessary to use a face covering when inside the building, and you will need to progress to trackside immediately.  Coaches will be responsible for keeping a register of attendees in their group for track and trace purposes, and should pass these details on to Martyn.

Please note you will need to have renewed your membership - otherwise the stadium staff will refuse access. Swipe cards may be in operation, so try and bring these with you, although the stadium staff will have an updated list of all paid members to avoid queues at the entrance.

2021 is the inagural year for the National Athletics League (NAL), which replaces both the British Athletics League, and the UK Women's Athletics League.  As well as the NAL, the club will also be taking part in the Southern Athletics League (SAL).

Richard Chiassaro, the well known Paralympic wheelchair racer, who is a world and British record holder, visited the club last Sunday to spend the morning coaching our Wheelchair Section.  All the Bedford athletes enjoyed the session and learnt many skills from Richard.  Aided by volunteers, Howard Darbon, who manages the Wheelchair Section, has also been constructing a new cabin to hold the section's equipment, just next to the stadium's first-aid post.

The club's Wheelchair section, managed by Howard Darbon, have acquired a wooden cabin that comes in kit form.  This needs to be built, and the ground works prepared.  Howard is ready to proceed and is hoping to start on Monday (26th April) with preparing the site.  Howard is looking for around 6 volunteers to assist on Monday, and thereafter around 2 to 3 each day.  Howard hopes to start at 10.00am , have a break for lunch and then continue to around 5 pm.  It would be very helpful if the volunteers could bring any digging tools - forks, spades etc and wheelbarrows.  If anybody is able to assist, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your availability for Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th, and Wednesday 28th am and / or pm.

After a fallow year in 2020 due to the pandemic, the English Schools Athletics Championships are due to make a welcome return this year.  The dates and locations are as follows:

Membership payment is now due and will be required to continue to access the stadium and training.

The main fees for 2021/22 are as follows:-

Senior   £175

Under 18 / Over 60    £120

Family of 3 or more    10% saving on total fees payable

Other fees apply for second claim athletes, athletes living or studying away from Bedford orwho study at the University of Bedfordshire. These can be found on the full list of fees.

WHAT TO DO

1. Let us know of any details that have changed. It is crucial that we have up to date contact details as well as emergency contact details and information on any medical and health related matters.  If you don’t think we have up to date information please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with changes.

Alternatively you can complete a paper form and drop it in to the gate on training nights.

2. Make a payment by bank transfer. Please make a bank transfer for the full amount to the following account.

Account Name:  Bedford & County Athletic Club Limited

Sort code:  40 24 20

Account:  01757210

Please put the first initial and surname of the athlete as the reference.  Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

Bedford and County will be taking part in the 2021 Eastern Masters Athletics Club (EMAC) Track and field League.

The EMAC League Match dates and Venues are as follows :-

• 02 June at Sandy
• 30 June at Cambridge
• 28 July at Bedford
• 01 September at Milton Keynes

To take part in the EMAC league you need to be 35 or over, and you also need to join EMAC as a second claim member, which costs £12.  If you would like to take part, please contact the Men's Masters Team Manager, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or the Women's Masters Team Manager, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The South of England Athletic Association (SEAA) have published their competition prospectus for 2021.  This provides information about the Southern Championships, including the dates of the senior championships, and the various age group and combined events championships.  You can read a copy here.  The prospectus doesn't seem to tell you how to enter, but you can mark the dates in your diary, and then keep your eye on the SEAA website, which will likely provide entry information in due course.

In line with England Athletics guideance, and eased government restrictions, Stadium and Public Space Training Will both resume on Tuesday 30th March.

The club has received confirmation from Fusion that we will be able to access the stadium through the side gate from next Tuesday, 30th March. This will be under the same terms as before lockdown.  There will be bookable club sessions on Tuesday and Thursday 5.30 to 6.30 and 6.40 to 7.40, and Sunday 10.30 to 11.30 and 11.40 to 12.40.  The stadium building will not be open and therefore there will unfortunately be no access to toilets.

We are trying to arrange for Pole Vault and High Jump beds to be available from the start of step 2, or earlier if possible, but cannot confirm this yet.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to book a slot at the stadium, or click here to find out how to book public space training.