BEDFORD - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Bedford Village is situated between Grahamstown and Cradock in the pristine, malaria-free Eastern Cape and is only 160km from the coast.  It has beautiful tree-lined streets with abundant water from the majestic mountain and is a gardener’s paradise. The Kaga Mountain surrounds the village and creates a micro-climate that is responsible for the incredible rainforest on its slopes and the highly sought after grassveld on the surrounding farms. The village was initially a stopover support center for migrating farmers and developed as a supply center. The area is still a strong farming area, rich in minerals and known as the golden mile for cattle farming due to the high nutritional content of the grasses and trees.

AMENITIES

There are two supermarkets in the town. One has a bakery as well and bakes daily. Everything you need is available. The butchery has excellent local meat for sale and will cater for special functions. There is meat available at one of the supermarkets from a separate supplier in Adelaide.

There are two hardware stores including a framing shop, small stationary shop and a farmers / gardener’s supply store. We have a wonderful restaurant Die Ou Waenhuis, which serves the best cappuccinos, lunches, tea eats etc. It is open for dinner on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It has a gorgeous porch upstairs where one can enjoy the mountain view while sipping on an ice cold beer!

There is also a wonderful farmstall that has fresh veggies and homecooked pies,roosterbrood and the most delicious cakes to either eat there or take away!!!. It also stocks jams, honey, and a few gifty things too.

The Art Gallery is at the center of the village with it’s majestic white building and David’s work is well worth a look at. He also promotes local artists. We have numerous other artists and crafters in the district and village, some of whom have started various enrichment projects in the community. We look forward to seeing the fruits.

There is a garage for the servicing of all vehicles and a talented local mechanic will fix all. One can have anything made from metal and welding processes in the area. There has long been a furniture factory in Bedford, which makes indigenous wood furniture for export. It is well worth a visit as the craftsmanship is of excellent quality. There are a few carpenters in the village to help with any woodwork as well as building and plumbing requirements.

Our local chemist has a charm all of it’s own with all the original fittings from the past it is a gem. There are 2 banks, Standard and FNB, each with an ATM. ABSA have recently installed an ATM in town and the bank is in Adelaide. There is a fully stocked bottle store, Pep stores and a couple a second hand furniture and knick-knack shops.

There is a wonderful little pre-school with 2 excellent teachers on board. This preschool will be starting a grade 1 & 2 class in 2009 with the vision to go to grade 3.

SPORTING AND RECREATION FACILITIES

Bedford is an area well known for it’s sporting population and many forms of sport have become part of our attractive activities to do. We have tennis courts, a beautiful 9 hole golf course, the prettiest cricket field in the country, a strong bowling club, horse riding activities and trails, paragliding thermals of note and numerous wonderful mountain and road bike routes. The area is safe for running, hiking and birding. There is a steak night once a month open for anyone to attend. The garden club is very active and we have a Garden festival each year in October which has created much interest. A new Heritage Rose Route was launched last year which incorporated Bedford and Adelaide and promises to put this area on the international map.  There is a large group of bridge players of all standards, many bookclubs, interest groups and communicators club. Pillates and Callenetics are offered weekly. The quilting guild is very active and has the added talents of 2 very experienced quilters who lead the group.  There should be something for everyone here. There is some wonderful scenery, open spaces and abundant peace and tranquility for those wanting to just read a book and get out of the rat race for a while.

Every month there is a morning market at the gardens of Die Ou Waenhuis. This is a must!!!

TOWN MATTERS AND TOURISM

The town council and municipal center is in Adelaide which is 15 minutes away from Bedford. The two towns are run as one area. The council seems committed to development and tourism. The rates are reasonable and there is a local electrician for your needs. The services are generally well looked after although some of the infrastructure needs an overhaul. Some of the plots have a borehole of their own. There is waterborne sewerage. The local magistrates court operates daily with the post office being right next door. There is a Community Tourism Organisation which steers the village in terms of Tourism events and promotions. Tourism is definitely on the increase here and we are finding more self-drive, adventure seeking travelers through our streets. History forms a large part of the regions tourism attraction and many of the buildings have fascinating stories to tell. There is an information office in the local library which has started in the last year. Bedford does have a new brochure and the response from that has been great. There are various B&B’s in town and there are a few farmstay self-accommodation places as well as a full 

The town has a strong Child Welfare and SPCA organizations which one can get involved with if desired. There are 5 churches including Presbytarian, Anglican, Dutch Reformed, Catholic and 7th Day Adventist. There are many other community-based projects in the area.

GENERAL

Bedford district’s weather is temperate compared to the Karoo. The summer temperatures can reach 38 degrees but usually cooler with the minimums in winter being down to –1 degree if we are really cold. There is seldom snow on the Kaga Mountain but the chill does flow down from the Winterberg range. The rainfall occurs in the form of thundershowers mainly in summer with the occasional cold front hitting the village in winter. This is a wonderful climate for gardening and growing things. There is a main high school in the village . Templeton is dual medium. There is also a pre-school for all the little ones to attend. From 2009 there will be a little private school opening this will cater for grades 1-3.

The people of the Eastern Cape have always been known for their hospitality and friendliness and Bedford is no exception. People care. The surrounds are beautiful, peaceful and the country feel abounds. Bird and wildlife is abundant with some of the local antelope species coming into the village at night. Bedford and surrounds are a little hidden treasure waiting to be explored.

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