APRIL 2017 THEBEDFORDCLANGER.COM

THE BEDFORDCLANGER YOUR CULTURAL GUIDE TO THE BEST OF

“NANDO’S, SIR? STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGH STREET AND IT’S ON YOUR LEFT.” PUTTING WORDS IN THE MOUTHS OF BEDFORD’S STATUES: PAGES 3&4

Inside: NT LIVE LAUNCHES AT THE QUARRY THEATRE NEW BARS IN BEDFORD

EASTER ACTIVITIES FOR ALL THE FAMILY Letter from the editor There’s a lot going on this month, so make the most of the Spring weather by getting out and about in our beautiful town. Take a tour of the Talking Statues, head to Wrest Park’s St George’s Day festivities or chill out on the terrace of the Lane while browsing some vinyl at the BedPop Record Shop. This month, we pay homage to the many beautiful Bedfordians who are taking part in this year’s London and Brighton (and in one case, Paris) Find your unique marathons. Turn to page 14 to find out who’s running for which charity and pledge your support. Runners, we’re all behind you! Wedding Journey Erica, Julia & Team Clanger Bedford has a wealth of unique wedding suppliers - not least our superstar photographer, Cat Lane - and many of them will be taking part in the brilliantly eclectic Wedding Journey Festival, taking place at Moggerhanger Park on Sunday 23rd March. The brain child of make- up artist, Alison Reid-Kynoch, the festival will be a one-stop shop for any brides-and-grooms-to-be who don’t necessarily want to fit in with THE CLANGER others’ expectations. “I wanted to create a place for local cool and NEWS IN BRIEF creative wedding suppliers to showcase their fresh and alternatives and ideas,” said Alison. “We find inspiration from the lifestyle trends around us and enjoy expressing our choices through creative design. Why should your wedding be any different; an expression of who you both are as a couple on your fabulously stylish wedding day.” Collaborators include Vintage Suit Hire, the White Emporium, Kooky prints at epanoui George James Bridal, Greycourt Florists, magician Neil Henry plus If you loved our February cover by artist Sara Sayer (@kookymagpie), suppliers of accessories, cakes, jewellery and vintage camper then you’ll be excited to hear that it is now available as a framed vans. It sounds like it’ll be great day out for anyone planning to do print from epanoui on Mill Street. epanoui’s owner, Hannah has something different on their wedding day. been busy filling the shop with lots of gorgeous new Spring/Summer The Wedding Journey Festival, Sunday 23rd March from stock, including locally hand-crafted reclaimed lamps and Talia Giles’ 11.am – 3.30pm. Entry is free. Moggerhanger Park, Park Rd, beautiful and unique woodland animal prints. You know you want to! Moggerhanger, Bedford MK44 3RW moggerhangerpark.com. For Epanoui, 44 Mill St, Bedford MK40 3HD epanoui.co.uk more information, check out the Wedding Journey Facebook page.

Bedford Artisan Fair Team Clanger Editor: Erica Roffe @bedfordclanger [email protected] The first Bedford Artisan Fair will take place at the Bedford Corn Commercial Manager: Julia Crofts @clangerads [email protected] Exchange on Saturday 15th April from 10am-4pm. Featuring the Design: Adam Boreham @reactionvm reactionvisual.media work of local artists, artisans, producers and makers, the fair will Photography: Cat Lane @catlanephoto bring together art and design, country crafts, cut flowers, ceramics, Music: Lloyd Lugsden @lloydlug sculpture, furniture, home accessories, gifts, cards and locally Theatre: Paula Walker @pauliwauli2 produced food and drink. Tea, coffee and homemade cakes will be Food & Drink: Stephen Bywater @authorbywater served by Dog House Kitchen and The Wooden Hill Coffee Company. Website: Alec East @ Narrative Industries For further information, check out their event page on Facebook.

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2 The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 THE CLANGER HOMETOWN HERO Talking statues with Al Murray

Bedford has been home to many notable What are your memories of people – numerous of them immortalised being at school in Bedford? as statues in the town. One such luminary “I have mixed memories of Bedford. (not currently honoured in stone) is Al Culturally it was an amazing place to Murray, former head boy at Bedford be a teenager. Michael Rose ran the School, but perhaps better known as Bedford Youth Orchestra which was a the xenophobic comedy creation, the great experience and open to anyone. I Pub Landlord. Al is one of the actors played percussion: cymbals and triangle who voices Bedford’s public art as part and I had a brilliant time. Of course, I of Sing London’s Talking Statues project should point out that none of the boys (for more information, turn to page 4). ever went to any pubs where there might We spoke to Al about his memories of have been a lenient landlord until they Bedford, what it’s like to be a giant silver were over 18…” face and what he’d do if he was an MP… What was it like to be the voice What interested you about the project? of a giant silver face? “When I was first approached to be the “I can’t give too much away, but the voice of a statue I thought the idea was concept is a flight of fancy; imagining the completely nuts; I mean, it’s a pretty changes those faces may have witnessed esoteric concept! I get approached for over the year. It’s asking the public to

lots of different things, so I always try imagine the things that have happened Photo by: and choose the things that interest me here. Unlike some of the other statues, Robert and often the crazy ideas are the most there isn’t a life story to tell. You’ll have Macdonald interesting.” to wait and listen!”

Written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe Directed by George Perrin EVERY BRILLIANT THING

Tuesday 2nd May, 4.30pm & 7.30pm You’re seven years old. Mum’s in Ticket price hospital. Dad says she’s ‘done £12.50 something stupid’. She finds it hard (£10.50 concessions) to be happy. You make a list of Age suitability everything that’s brilliant about the 13 + world: Ice cream, Water fights, Rollercoasters, People falling over... Running time A play about depression and the 60 mins lengths we go to for those we love. Box office 01234 362337 quarrytheatre.org.uk The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s is part of Bedford School, which is part of The Harpur Trust

The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 3 THE TALKING STATUES CLANGER UNIQUE BEDFORD OF BEDFORD This Spring, arts producers Sing London have given voices to seven statues across Bedford. From 11th April, when you pass a Talking Statue, swipe your smartphone on a nearby plaque and presto, get a call back from John Bunyan (as voiced by ), Big Band leader Glenn Miller (written by Toby Litt) or a 5-metre tall silver face (as voiced by Al Murray)! Each has a story to tell. Together, they tell Bedford’s story. While most monologues have been created by leading writers and actors with a Bedford connection, The Place Theatre also worked with inmates at HM Bedford to write a monologue for prison reformer John Howard. This will be voiced by Bond actor Colin Salmon. Matt Berry: “Being born in Bedford, the John Bunyan statue was an integral part of growing up. Even if you didn’t know who he was, you couldn’t fail to notice him. I like the fact that he went to prison and wrote a bestseller while he was there! So if you should go to prison, why not write a book - because you might get your own statue!” Using drama, humour and location technology, Talking Statues COMPETITION: breathes new life into the statues that surround us. Some approaches Give a Statue a Voice! are dramatic, others comic and others flights of pure fantasy. All aim to persuade the public look at the statues with new eyes. At the time of the launch, two statues still await the gift of Meet the Statues: speech...what do they have to say for themselves? Perhaps • Matt Berry (The IT Crowd, ) voices John you’ll be the one to tell us! The winning pieces will be Bunyan, whose 1678 masterpiece The Pilgrim’s Progress has decided by public writing competition and recorded by actors outsold every book in publishing history bar the Bible and performers associated with Bedford in summer 2017. • Al Murray (The Pub Landlord) voices Reflections of Bedford - The competition statues are: what’s going on inside these two giant silver heads? Trevor Huddleston - Anglican priest and tireless anti-apartheid • Colin Salmon (Resident Evil, 24: Live Another Day) voices John activist in 1940s and 50s South Africa. “No white person Howard - why was he taken prisoner in Brittany? has done more for South Africa than Trevor Huddleston.” - • Toby Litt (deadkidsongs, Journey into Space) imagines Glenn Nelson Mandela Miller zooming back through space and time to tell us what he’s Sir William Harpur - eminent Bedfordian, Lord Mayor of seen since his plane disappeared in 1944 London, and Elizabethan philanthropist • Bedford storytellers Mark Steinhardt and Richard Mann give a To enter, send a short monologue from the statue’s voice to the War Memorial - what is this old warrior thinking as perspective (up to 350 words) to: he stands by the river? [email protected] before 21 May 2017. To hear the statues speak, just pay them a visit! Swipe your phone on the QR-coded plaque, or type the short url on the plaque into your phone browser, and presto - the statue will call you back! There is no cost to the user. Laura Pottinger: Manager of The Place theatre: “As theatre practitioners we love a good story so we were delighted to be invited to help create new stories for these important local landmarks.”

Creating a voice for John Howard in HM Prison Bedford “John Howard’s the name. They call me ‘the first prison reformer’ - and in my day, they certainly needed reform.” (excerpt from monologue) Sing London worked with The Place Theatre and inmates at HM Prison Bedford to create a new voice for John Howard, an 18th- century Sheriff of whose determination to improve the inhumane conditions of British led to widespread reforms throughout the penal system. During a series of creative writing workshops held at the prison, inmates imagined what John Howard would make of Bedford prison today.

4 The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 ST GEORGE’S FESTIVAL Sat 22 – Sun 23 April 10am – 6pm Immerse yourself in the biggest St George’s Day celebration in the country.

Silsoe, Bedfordshire MK45 4HR

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ENGLISH HERITAGE, BRAND & DESIGN TEAM, THE ENGINE HOuSE, FIREFLY AVENuE, SwINDON SN2 2EH • TELEPHONE 01793 414451 THE CLANGER Redelivered LATEST NEWS Mail Art Show Mail Art is – according to Wikipedia – a populist artistic movement centred on sending small scale works through the postal service. It initially developed out of the Fluxus movement in the 1950s and 60s, though it has since developed into a global movement that originally came to Bedford in 2012. This month, Mail Art is ‘redelivered’ to Bedford, thanks to artist Anne-Marie Stijelja. “The exhibition at the Basement @ Bunyan will be a chance to see the original artwork from the 2012 show, plus new submissions,” said Anne-Marie. “All of the BedPop Record Shop pieces will be for sale for £5, with profits going to the CHUMs charity.” Following the first Mail Art show at 22 Mill Street (a We Are Bedford pop is back at The Lane up venue), the exhibition has been posted to various venues throughout Now in its third year, the BedPop Record Shop takes up its the world, returning home for its final outing. Don’t miss your chance to annual residency at the Lane (on Castle Lane) on Saturday snap up a bargain from Wednesday 5th – Saturday 8th April. 22nd April. Featuring a wide range of vinyl sellers, the BPRS Basement @ Bunyan, Bunyan Meeting, Mill Street, Bedford MK40 3EU team guarantee an eclectic mix of genres, so there’s something for everyone. Thanks to the success of the BedPop Record Shops, trader Darren Harte of Vinyl Barn has a stall on Bedford Market every Friday, so even if you can’t make it on the 22nd, you can still enjoy some crate digging on a weekly basis. Entertainment at The Lane is provided by the Roll Your Own Records and the cream of Bedford’s local live talent. Sponsorship comes from Charles Wells, so expect some fine liquid refreshment too… The BedPop Record Shop 9am – 6pm at The Lane, Castle Lane, Bedford MK40 3NT Bedpop.co.uk

FREE JOHN BUNYAN MUSEUM Bedford ......

...... EASTER EGG QUIZ Runs from Sat 1st April to Sat 22nd April 2017 (During normal museum opening times) ...... FREE QUIZ FOR CHILDREN: Solve the mystery word and win a chocolate egg prize! ...... Museum open* Tues to Sat, 11am to 4pm (last entry 3.45pm) *Closed Good Friday ...... John Bunyan Museum & Library and Bunyan Meeting Mill Street, Bedford, MK40 3EU www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk/museum 01234 270303

6 The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 St George’s Day at Wrest Park Celebrate everything that is fantastic about our green and pleasant land as you immerse yourself in the story of England at the biggest St George’s Day celebration in the country, just down the road in Silsoe. Gasp as the lances shatter in the medieval joust; feel the earth tremble as the Roman Soldiers march; marvel as feathers fly in the falconry; and chortle at the cheeky jester. Have a tea party with Georgian ladies, bring out your inner James Bond as you learn ciphers and codes, mind the pikes wielded by the Civil War soldiers and watch fearsome fellows battle it out with club and shield Printing on the Columbian Press in the Clash of Knights. There’s plenty for kids to do with The Panacea Museum. 1st Saturday of each month, April – October have a go circus skills, knight school and arts and crafts The 1857 Columbian Printing Press was in constant use by the Panacea to name but a few. The undeniable highlight is of course Society, printing the magazines and pamphlets that they distributed all England’s most legendary battle – see gallant St George over the world. Visitors to the Panacea Museum will now have the chance upon his mighty steed take on his fiery green nemesis to see this beautiful, historic printing press in operation and make prints in England’s ultimate show down. Throughout the day, to their own design using wooden stamps or craft foam. The activity is wander the medieval encampments to see, smell and free and there is no need to book. Volunteers will be on hand to answer hear what life was like for the English hundreds of years questions about the press and how it was used. Visitors can also enjoy ago. Tickets are £7/adult for English Heritage members the free trails, quizzes, garden games, drawing and dressing-up available and £17.40/adult for non-members. If you buy tickets every open day during the holidays and at weekends. The Panacea online you will receive a 10% discount. St George’s Day Museum, 9 Newnham Road, Bedford MK40 3NX panaceatrust.org Festival, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd April at Wrest Opening hours (April – September): Monday – Saturday from Park, Silsoe, MK45 4HR english-heritage.org.uk 11.00am – 5.00pm

We Have Been Nominated! We are delighted to announce that Pavilion at the Park has been nominated for Outstanding Service Excellence in the Bedfordshire Food and Drink Awards 2017.

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t 01234 351104 e [email protected] Relaxed www.attheparkbedford.co.uk Remarkable PavilionatthePark @BedfordPavilion Refreshing attheparkbedford The Bedford Park Café

The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 7 The Circus of Illustration Professional Development Digital Artworking Show ’n’ Tell, 10th April at The Puddin Club. Illustrators Marisa Straccia, Kristina Bullen, Andrew Foster, Assim Heetun and Katie Allen give us an exclusive look into their digital practice, showing us how they put their work together in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, offering helpful tips and guidance along the Skeptics in the Pub: Why way. Perfect for professionals, students and hobbyists who have some knowledge of digital artworking, we expect an informal atmosphere eating insects may soon with plenty of time for discussion and questions. Delicious refreshments become the new normal and treats will be available to buy from our hosts The Puddin Club. Ticket booking is essential at www.circusofillustration.eventbrite.com with Jenny Josephs By 2050 the global population will reach 9 billion and this will put ever-increasing pressure on food and environmental resources. It will be a challenge to ensure global food security without further THE damaging the environment with intensified farming practices. CLANGER WHAT’S ON? One UN-backed solution is to focus on alternative sources of protein, such as insects for food and animal feed. About 2 billion of us already include insects in our diets, though it is still a growing trend in the west. During this talk, Jenny will explain how insects might replace some of the meat in our diets and also give some tips on how to cook them. You will be invited to sample some tasty bug snacks after the talk! Skeptics in the Pub, Thursday 20th April at 7:30pm at North End Club, 60 Roff Avenue, Bedford MK41 7TW

John Bunyan Community Boat launches its 2017 season The John Bunyan Boat’s public cruises launch for the 2017 Extravaganza! An evening season on Easter Saturday. The first event is an evening Fish and Chip Supper Cruise, followed on Sunday with an of burlesque, drag Afternoon Tea Cruise and a special Bank Holiday Monday performances and DJs cruise. Thereafter there are public cruises every Thursday and Sunday with Fish & Chip Supper Cruises on various Friday A quick heads up for an event taking place next month on 19th and Saturday evenings. May. For the first time ever, Extravaganza will be bringing the most The boat also has monthly Lunch Cruises to The Anchor in glamourous burlesque & drag legends from around the world for one Great Barford and Afternoon Tea Cruises to The Barns Hotel, night only to the glorious EMPIRE nightclub in Mill Street. plus a monthly Jazz Cruise featuring top national and regional It’s Vaudeville gone volatile; couture costumes, the best Drag & jazz trios. The boat is fully licensed for drinks and is available Burlesque from an all-star cast, an oh-so-steamy score and mind- for private functions and parties of all descriptions including boggling specialty acts exploding onto the stage in the cheekiest wedding cruises. show you will have ever seen in this damn town! Cruises and charters can be booked online at Tickets from £19.50. For tickets and more information johnbunyanboat.org, or by phoning 01908 690301. extravaganza-bedford.co.uk

8 The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 Picasso & the Masters of Print – extended until April 23rd April 2017 Launch of children’s Picasso & the Masters of Print continues through the Easter Holiday at The Higgins Bedford. The exhibition offers a unique Writing Competition opportunity to view together some of the most important This month sees the launch of John Bunyan Museum’s annual writing prints by one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. The competition for school-age children and young people, ‘Sincerely, seven prints by Picasso held at The Higgins Bedford span Elizabeth Bunyan.’ Imagine you are Elizabeth Bunyan: your husband seven decades of his career and spectacularly showcase the John has just been imprisoned for his beliefs. You have been left to varied printmaking techniques that he mastered. look after the children, and must be strong and fight for his freedom. These stunning works are accompanied by a wider As Elizabeth, write a 500 word letter to the powerful Judge Hale, to exhibition of major artists’ original prints drawn from the plead and argue for his pardon and release. Cecil Higgins Collection. Five centuries of printmaking More details and age categories can be found on the website and are on show, ranging from masterpieces by key figures in the closing date for the competition is 5th June 2017. the history of European printmaking, such as Dürer and The John Bunyan Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am – Rembrandt, through to 20th century icons such as Matisse 4pm until the end of October (closed on Good Friday). Admission is free. and Warhol, and including contemporary artists such as [email protected] bunyanmeeting.co.uk/museum Paula Rego and Mark Hearld. The exhibition was due to close on 16th April – but is now extended for one extra week until 23rd April 2017. Our visitors The BIG Easter Egg Hunt have said: ‘Vivid, mind blowing, stimulating and joyful’, ‘It’s a cut with Bedford Chronicles above the usual exhibitions’, ‘Lovely way to spend an afternoon’ Until Saturday 22nd April 2017 Virtual ‘eggs’ are hidden across Bedford and the aim of the game is to find them all. Just download the free app, set your location and Easter at The Higgins Bedford the hunt can begin. There is a map to help navigate and clues to help The Higgins will be celebrating all things Picasso during the Easter users find the hidden eggs. Once all the virtual ‘eggs’ have been Holiday, as the block-buster exhibition Picasso & the Masters of Print collected, players can enter into a free prize draw to be in with a draws to a close. Easter Holiday Family join-in activity session last for chance to win a real chocolate Easter egg or two! The app can be about an hour and costs £2.70 per participating child. • Friday 7th played by anyone who has access to an Android or iPhone and is April – Bag yourself a Picasso! - Get inspired by the prints on display completely free to download from the Bedford Chronicles website, and decorate your own bag to take away. Sessions at 11am, 12noon, or via Google Play or Apple Store. bedfordchronicles.co.uk 2pm and 3pm • Tuesday 11th April – Make a Mini Miro. - Create paper sculptures in the style of Miro. 11am, 12noon, 2pm and 3pm • Wednesday 12th April – Print Masters. - Design a printing tile and have a go at printing with it. Sessions at 11am, 12noon, 2pm and 3pm • Monday 17th April – Picasso Portrait Party - A drop-in workshop where you can create your own Picasso style portrait. The Monday workshop is a little bit different because the museum is open from 2pm – 5pm - This workshop will run between 2pm and 4pm. Participants can join in any time during the workshop. Cost is £2.70 per participating child. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Free Easter Egg Trail at John Bunyan Museum Archaeology Talk Thursday 13th April - Anthropology with Katie Mccraith Hunt the coloured cardboard eggs among the displays at the John 2.30pm £5.50 (Concessions £4.40) Bunyan Museum and then rearrange the letters on them to find the Higgins volunteer, Katie Mccraith is studying Anthropology at the mystery word or phrase to win a chocolate egg and sticker. There University of Kent. Anthropology is the study of human biological, are lots of other quizzes for children to do too. Just ask the friendly physiological characteristics and their evolution as well as steward on duty. The Museum’s free Easter Egg Hunt runs from societies. The focus of this talk will be what we can learn from Saturday 1st to Saturday 22nd April. The Museum is open from 11am skeletal remains. We will look at how to estimate age and sex of to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday (closed on Good Friday). skeletal remains, as well as analysing skeletal diseases. www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk/museum

The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 9 Here’s our pick of the best theatre this APRIL By Paula Walker Swan Theatre Company presents The Quarry Theatre Poetry at the Eagle The Quarry Theatre Comedy Festival presents Bookshop: Fame, Tricky Teddy’s Folly and Fools Easter Magic Show Sunday 2 April at 7pm. Tickets: £5 Saturday 1st April, 2017 at 2.30pm. Tickets: £8 Adults, Join the Swan Theatre Company for an evening of poetry Family Ticket £26 (2 Adults and 2 concessions) upstairs at the Eagle bookshop in Castle Road. (Concessions £6). Age guidance: All ages THE CLANGER A show for all the family, Tricky Teddy’s Easter Magic Show features THEATRE mind-boggling Magic, knockabout comedy and great fun with audience interaction. Award-winning Krisgar and sidekick Tricky Teddy are back at the Bedford Quarry Theatre after last year’s sell out show to bring you this perfect Magical Easter treat. Produced by Krisgar Entertainments, especially for the Bedford Comedy Festival 2017, you won’t want to miss out on this egg-cellent show! The Quarry Theatre presents National Theatre Live: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead Date: Monday 24th April at 7.00pm. Tickets: £14.50 (£11.50 concessions). Age guidance: 12+. Please note that this is an Encore Screening (not live). Daniel Radcliffe, Joshua McGuir and David Haig star in Tom Stoppard’s brilliantly funny situation comedy. This performance was broadcast live from The Old Vic theatre in London on April 20th. David Leveaux’s new production marks the 50th anniversary of the play that made a young Tom Stoppard’s name overnight. Against the backdrop of Hamlet, two hapless minor characters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, take centre stage. As the young double act stumble their way in and out of the action of Shakespeare’s iconic drama, they become increasingly out of their depth, as their version of the story unfolds. Tickets available from www.quarrytheatre.org.uk or 01234 362337 BRITE THEATRE PRESENTS The Quarry Theatre presents RICHARD III National Theatre FRIDAY 14 APRIL Live: Twelfth Night Date: Thursday 6th April, 2017 at 7.00pm. Tickets: £15.50 (£12.50 concessions). Age guidance: 12+ Tamsin Greig is Malvolia in a new twist on Shakespeare’s classic comedy of mistaken identity. A ship is wrecked on the

BEDSLAM rocks. Viola is washed ashore, but her twin brother Sebastian WITH HOLLIE MCNISH is lost. Determined to survive on her own, she steps out THURSDAY 20 APRIL to explore a new land. So begins a whirlwind of mistaken identity and unrequited love. The nearby households of Olivia and Orsino are overrun with passion. Even Olivia’s upright theplacebedford.org.uk/tickets housekeeper, Malvolia, is swept up in the madness. Where 01234 354321 music is the food of love, and nobody is quite what they seem, anything proves possible. Not to be missed!

10 The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 The Place Theatre

Brite Theatre presents Richard III Friday 14 April at 7.30pm. Tickets: £10 (Concessions) Pushing the boundaries of Shakespearean Performance, Brite Theatre has re-imagined Richard III as a bold and engaging, one-woman show. The fourth wall has been utterly obliterated, as you the audience take on the roles of all the other characters at Richard’s party, in this intimate, exciting and moving production. Let Richard entertain you - but will you survive? Melanie Gall presents Opera Mouse Monday 10 April at 2pm. Tickets: £10 (Concessions £8.50). Age guidance: 3-11years Tilly Mouse lives under an opera house, and she just loves to sing! Her dream is to perform on stage, but whenever anybody sees her, they scream and run away. With determination, imagination, and help from her friends, Tilly proves that even a mouse can be a star! Featuring songs and arias from several operas, including Gianni Schicchi, Carmen and The Magic Flute, Opera Mouse is a blend of puppets, audience participation and actual opera singing. A musical education is important for every child, and Opera Mouse provides children with a friendly and fun Ouse Muse present introduction to classical music. Tickets available from www.theplacebedford.org.uk Bedslam with guest or 01234 354321 poet Hollie McNish Thursday 20 April 7.30pm. Tickets: £10 (Concessions £8.50) Age guidance: 13+ The sizzle and zip of the poetry slam returns to Bedford. One Slam competitor will be crowned BedSlam champion 2017 (and receive a £50 prize!). Guest performance by Hollie McNish. With Benjamin Zephaniah stating, “I can’t take my ears off her”, Kate Tempest describing her poetry as, “welcoming, galvanizing and beautiful” and fans ranging from Robin Ince, Pink, Tim Minchin, and Marian Keyes to most of the UK’s midwives, Hollie McNish is a poet whose readings are definitely not to be missed. Supported As an Arts Foundation Fellow in Spoken Word, she has garnered over two million YouTube views for her online poetry performances and was Lodgings the first poet to record at London’s famed Abbey Road Studios. Here “Empowering young people to thrive” she will be joining us to perform and read her poems, as well as chat honestly and openly about her latest book, Nobody Told Me. YMCA Bedfordshire needs hosts in the Bedford community White Cobra Productions present who can offer their spare room as lodgings to a young person.

Dizzie Boo Supported Lodgings aims to provide vulnerable young people aged 16-25 with a room of their own and support to enable them Saturday 8 April at 7.30pm. Tickets: £10 (Concessions £8.50) to become independent adults. Young people in Supported Two houses, two gardens, three couples, six people... twelve Lodgings become a lodger and part of a hosts household, they relationships. One too many barbecues, one bewildered stranger, receive non-intrusive support from the host, as well as support lots of laughs, a few home truths, end of story... Or is it? from the YMCA. Dizzy Boo has been specially written for White Cobra and is Hosts receive support from YMCA staff and £480 a dedicated to Ursula Wright. While preparing her second production for month to cover costs. the company in January 2016, she was suddenly taken ill and died [email protected] four months later. Brian Wright is an actor, director, writer and script- Jodi 07508 807441, Sarah 07944 273228 editor for theatre, television and radio. His writing has won two Sony www.ymcabedfordshire.org Awards, a B.A.F.T.A. nomination and a Bristol University Fellowship.

The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 11

THE This month’s live music round-up CLANGER by Lloyd Lugsden: MUSIC...OH YEAH!

Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band + Guests Sunday 30th April, Bedford Esquires, doors at 7.30pm. Tickets £15 in advance Originally from Indiana, USA, Geno first came to England in the 1960’s with the US Air Force. His love of Blues and Soul music soon found him jamming with local bands in and around Ipswich and eventually led him to London where he caused a sensation singing with top R&B acts Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames and Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band at the legendary Flamingo Club in Soho. Geno teamed up with some of London’s hottest musicians and Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band very quickly became established as the most exciting live band in Britain, regularly topping the bill over World famous artistes, as nobody in their right mind wanted to go on stage after a Geno show! His live shows were immortalised in two of the biggest selling albums of the 60’s – “Hand Clappin’ Foot Stompin’ Funky Butt Live” and “Hipsters Flipsters and Finger Poppin’ Daddies”. His status as the undisputed “King of Soul” was cemented forever by Kevin Rowland and Dexy’s Midnight Runners in the 1980’s with the World-wide No.1 smash hit single “Geno”, which paid homage to the great man himself and is still played regularly today on national radio and at Geno’s live gigs both before and after shows. You may have heard Geno recently on Lauren Laverne’s BBC6Music show. His interview, live performance and infectious laugh was trending on twitter as the great man got lots of love from the listeners. It’s well-worth an iPlayer ‘listen again’! Tickets are on sale now from Seetickets priced £15 advance and will be available in person from the usual outlets of Esquires Bar, Planet Boutique in Bedford and Mario’s Hair Design in Kempston as well as Vinyl Revelations in .

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12 The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 Party time with the Dub Pistols Dub Pistols return to Bedford Esquires on Saturday 1st April as part of their 20th Folk at the Anniversary tour. Blending ska, hip hop, reggae, punk & funk, this lot know how to get the Place Theatre party started and have collaborated the likes of Terry Hall and Rodney P over the years. A former electrician, who decided to Lloyd spoke to head Pistol, Barry Ashworth and you can read the interview on our website change profession after seeing Christy (thebedfordclanger.com) Tickets from seetickets.com plus Esquires bar, Boutique Planet Moore perform on Irish TV, Dublin-born and Mario’s Hair in Kempston traditional singer and bouzouki player Daoiri (pronounced Derry) Farrell is being described by some of the biggest My Girl the River names in Irish folk music as one of most Local favourites, My Girl the River had a sensational 2016 including support slots with important singers to come out of Ireland Suzanne Vega and a performance at the Isle of Wight festival. This year shows no sign in recent years, and has delivered the of letting up, with a headline gig at the Stables in Wavendon on 27th April, plus another album to prove them right. He has just headliner at Birmingham’s Kitchen Garden Café. “We’re really looking forward to the received THREE BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ luxury of playing a long set, rather than having to make way for the ‘main even’”, said nominations for Best Singer, Best Traditional MGTR’s Kris Wilkinson-Hughes. “We’re supporting Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboy Track and the Horizon Award for best when they return to Bedford and London later in the year, plus we’ve just filmed and newcomer. He will be performing at the recorded three songs on Bob Harris’ YouTube channel, Under the Apple Tree, which will be award ceremony at The broadcast this month.” Not only that, but they’ve also been invited back to perform at the on 5th April 2017. It will be broadcast live Isle of Wight festival in June. Sweet! on BBC Radio 2 and is normally available For tickets: stables.org. Under the Apple Tree: .com/user/WBBCOfficial on the red button after that. But, move over London, because the Another busy month at Esquires: Fine new and classic acts including; My Baby night before on Tuesday 4th April, Bedford on the 11th, friends of Iggy Pop, PINS on the 20th, indie Glasgow duo Honeyblood on have him! Daoiri is spending the evening 27th and 60s soul legends Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band on the 30th. with Mill Race Folk at The Place Theatre with support from MarisaJack&Davy. Last chance for tickets: Soul II Soul are coming to Bedford Corn Exchange on Everyone is invited! Doors are at 7:30pm. 8th December, and there are just a couple of hundred tickets left. Don’t miss out! Tickets are £12. Available from The Place bedfordcornexchange.co.uk thepadpresents.com plus Boutique Planet, Esquires bar Theatre Tel: (01234) 354321 and Mario’s Hair Design, Kempston. www.theplacebedford.org.uk

The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 13 Bar Flies… This Spring, Bedford has been blessed with two new bars, both offering great drinks, great atmosphere and great music. THE CLANGER BARS & BLOOMS Blooms in Bedford By Lucy Bywater Daffodils and tree blossom all along the river have gladdened many a heart over the last few weeks, a hopeful signal of the new season arriving in a burst of new foliage and petals. Daffodils are the only flowers I First up, we met with Matt and Jess, owners of The Third ever buy myself, partly because they’re so cheap and cheerful but also Place on St Peter’s Street and naturally, our first question because they’re home-grown and I’m not a fan of imported, cellophane- was about the name. The ‘third place’ was conceived wrapped supermarket blooms. Flowers should be about the seasons by urban sociologist, Roy Oldenburg. The ‘first place’ is surely. In very recent years however Bedford has been lucky enough to home, the ‘second place’ is work and the ‘third place’ is have its own seasonal flower producer in the shape of Howbury Farm an anchor of community life that facilitates and fosters Flowers. Their stunning walled garden is in Renhold just a couple of miles broader, more creative interactions. Sounds like the from Bedford town centre. The relatively new but thriving business is run perfect place to us! “The ‘third place’ can be anything by Lucy Copeman and Jane Leech, two mothers who gave up their jobs from a community centre to a café – anywhere that for their families and then to grow flowers. And they’re busily into the new functions as hub,” explained Matt. “I was researching season right now with tulips making an appearance at the time of writing. bars in Japan and discovered lots of bars in Tokyo that (Sorry Holland, Bedford tulips have the edge here!) run on ‘third place principles’. We totally believe in the Buying local flowers has never been this easy: English garden flowers philosophy; open to everyone and completely egalitarian. ‘from alliums to zinnias’, but also irises, nigella, sweet William, anemones It sums up what we’re about.” Of course, they’re also amongst many others with dahlias being a particular speciality. Jane tells about great drinks and music. “For us, music is part of the me they can be ordered direct by phone or email and the flowers delivered whole night out,” said Jess. “DJs here will be exploring to your door. ‘Fresh Flower Friday’ means you can order a local bucket full different genres, it’s not just about dance music. Our of gorgeous blooms for your home or workplace. Local businesses such as ‘Classic Album Thursdays’ in April include the Beatles, The Pavilion in Bedford Park and The Kiosk in Russell Park are customers. Nuyorican Soul and The Jam. There’s something for Harrold-based florist Catherine Elworthy has also formed a fruitful everyone at the Third Place!” For more information, check partnership particularly for weddings. In addition ‘DIY brides’ can make an out their Facebook page. appointment to go along and choose flowers for their wedding. Just down the road, Oh You Pretty Things has Low carbon (negligible ‘flower miles’), seasonal and beautiful, Howbury opened its doors beneath Meatcure at 100 High Farm’s flowers can be bought from April to October in line with the natural Street. With a speakeasy vibe and a beautifully English flower-growing season. Visits are by appointment only but you can stocked bar, it’s already attracting a loyal following. find them on Facebook and Instagram. You’ll also find them at Bedford The ‘soft’ launch will take place on 7th and 8th April, Artisan Fair at the Corn Exchange on April 15th which promises to be a so check out their social media pages for more great day for promoting local producers and talent. If you want to see the details, including forthcoming DJs and live music. entire garden itself in full bloom, you can visit them on June 25th or August With a capacity of 110, this intimate venue is a great 27th through the National Open Garden Scheme (www.ngs.org.uk) place to begin or end your night out. Cheers!

B a s e d a t R i v e r s i d e T e n n i s C l u b C O F F E E S H O P

coffee ~ cake ~ light lunches ~ children's meals

STREET & GOURMET FOOD STALLS

CRAFT BEER LIVE MUSIC & DJS LOCAL PRODUCE

T W I T T E R . C O M / F A Y S A T R I V E R S I D E

14 The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 Marathon effort Q&A As (very) amateur runners, Team Clanger takes its collective This month’s My Bedford comes from Cat Lane. Cat hat off to anyone who is able to run 26.2 miles to complete is an award-winning wedding photographer with an a marathon. Therefore, we wanted to give a shout out to the amazing eye for detail and a passion for what she beautiful Bedfordians who are pulling on their running shoes does. We are lucky enough to count Cat among the and pushing their bodies to the limits this month in the name of many generous contributors to the Clanger, sharing charideeee. We haven’t got room to put the link to everyone’s her love for Bedford with our readers. Over the fundraising pages, but we’ll put everything on the website years, Cat has photographed the best of Bedford, from butchers (thebedfordclanger.com). and bakers to bar-owners (see page 14) and BedPop. We love Regular readers may remember Marathon Mona (aka Gemma her! Check out Cat’s website here catlaneweddings.com and Kirkham) who completed the 2015 London Marathon dressed as the find out all about her top Bedford tips here: Mona Lisa (as you do). This month, Gemma is once again donning Born here or blow in? Born here, Wilstead born and bred. Mona and taking part in the London AND Paris marathons, both in Best thing about Bedford? By far the incredible community aid of Cancer Research UK. You can do it, Gemma! Jane Ventisei of creatives and small businesses – we are so fortunate to turns 50 this year and is running for Kidney Research UK. Her live in a town filled with fascinating and talented people. daughter Hannah (who turns 21 two days before the marathon) is Best place to get a coffee or cuppa? It’s got to be Délices running for the NSPCC. They both normally run 10km, but are up with their beautiful French patisserie (and also so I can go for the challenge. Happy big birthdays, ladies! Rachel Cameron home with one of their amazing baguettes afterward!) is running for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Chloe Powell, born Best breakfast? The Pavilion 29 years ago weighing just over 1lb, is running for the premature The one place you’d recommend to visitors? A walk babies’ charity Bliss. Robert Lindsay is running for Heads Together. along the Embankment and then stopping at Spaghetti Neil Wosahlo is running for local charity, Keech Hospice Care, John’s for gelato. Not to be missed! in memory of Super Harry Russell. Adrian Spurrell is running for Bedford’s best boozer? Bears & Tales always and forever MKSnap.org. Ben Woodfine, of Bedford Library (and the Bear and – their barman Tom is a true artist. Esquires!) is running for St John’s Ambulance. Emma McCrossan has Best Bedfordian? Kayte Judge. I really admire how her been registered blind since 2008 and her life has been changed Culture Challenge initiative is bringing creativity, art and by her two guide dogs. This year, with the help of her friend Jenny culture from all over the world into schools.

Wilson, Emma is running the London Marathon in aid of Guide Dogs Three words that sum up Bedford: Creative. for the Blind. Carrie Fox is running for Bedford Hospitals Charity. Close-knit. Cultured. Barney Fowlds is running for the Stroke Association. Tracey Gentle is running for The Huntingtons Disease Association. Rob ‘not all superheroes wear capes’ Dean is running in memory of his father for Macmillan Cancer Support. Sarah Mason is running for Parkinson’s UK, following in the footsteps of her little sister, who ran the London Marathon last year.

THE CLANGER MY BEDFORD

Bigging up Brighton Becky Dawson was determined to do a marathon when she turned 40, so 2017 is the year! Despite feeling very nervous, she’s running the Brighton Marathon for One Step at a TIME raising funds for street children in Uganda. Janet Lehain, dressed head-to-toe in gold, will be running the Brighton Marathon in aid of MIND. Go for it, Janet!

The Bedford Clanger • April 2017 15 t