For more than 50 years Royal Mail's Special Stamp programme has commemorated British history and achievement. Stamps have also been issued to honour the achievements of many British people. Often, the people who appear on stamps are already famous. They include scientists and explorers, writers, artists, musicians, athletes, and Prime Ministers.

The death of Shirley Williams is heartbreaking news for the whole Liberal Democrats party.

Since the sad news was announced, Liberal Democrat members and figures from public life have been remembering Shirley and paying tribute to her.

We've collected a few of those memories here.

You can also share your memories of Shirley and add your name to the book of condolence here.

Bedford Borough Council is urging people to be sensible and dispose of their rubbish properly when visiting parks and open spaces within the borough. If bins are full, visitors should find another bin or take their rubbish home with them.

A Borough Council Spokesperson said, "We are really fortunate in Bedford Borough because we have access to award winning parks and open spaces, which is what makes it such a shame when litter is left on the floor or by the bin, rather than being thrown away. We want to keep our parks and open spaces clean so they can be enjoyed by everyone, but we all need to play our part. What we would like to say to the people who are littering is that if you bring something with you to the parks, then you should also be able to take it away and dispose of it properly. We would also like to remind everyone using our parks and opens spaces to adhere to guidance on social distancing and washing or sanitising your hands regularly."

I want to send my best wishes to Muslims in the UK and across the world as we welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is a time of reflection, renewal and generosity. These are much needed in our communities, our politics and all our lives.

A second year observing Ramadan with restrictions on meeting together will be difficult. Holding an iftar will be different, loved ones will be missed and celebrations will be muted.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has written to the Chief Executive of Leonard Cheshire, Ruth Owen, formally asking her to put on hold plans to close Holehird care home in Windermere.

Ahead of a Leonard Cheshire board meeting tomorrow, Tim has asked for the charity to suspend the process of making staff redundant and closing the home, in order to explore other options to save Holehird, including finding a new provider to take over the running of the home.

On behalf of her family, it is with great sadness that we announce that Shirley Williams, Baroness Williams of Crosby, died peacefully in the early hours of Monday April 12th.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

This is heartbreaking for me and for our whole Liberal Democrat family.

Shirley has been an inspiration to millions, a Liberal lion and a true trailblazer. I feel privileged to have known her, listened to her and worked with her. Like so many others, I will miss her terribly.

The East West Rail Company has now opened their Virtual Consultation Rooms. You can access at https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation/virtual. The rooms will remain open for the duration of the consultation.

I am also starting, from today, a series of meetings with Parish Councillors to discuss the Council's response to the consultation.

Liberal Democrat candidate for Cumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner Loraine Birchall is calling on the Government to make dog theft a specific criminal offence to combat the worrying rise during the pandemic.

DogLost, a charity that helps reunite owners with their lost dogs, saw reported pet thefts soar from 172 dogs in 2019 to 465 in 2020.

From today (Monday 12 April), further lockdown restrictions have been lifted and businesses in Bedford Borough will once again be able to open their doors to local residents, shoppers and visitors.

Alongside non-essential retail, we have also welcomed back outdoor hospitality, indoor leisure facilities including gyms, personal care services such as hairdressers and beauty salons, and libraries.

You will have all seen the deeply disturbing Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report (the Sewell report) released.

LDCRE calls out the Government's new race report as being deeply concerning in areas and ignorant of the reality of Britain today.

It is not time to continually review whether or not racism exists at all - but to take action to address it immediately, across all areas of society.