OCTOBER 2019 THEBEDFORDCLANGER.COM

THE BEDFORDCLANGER YOUR CULTURAL GUIDE TO THE BEST OF BEDFORD

This month’s most read Bedford Independent stories inside BROMHAM APPLE DAY

John Medhurst Limited 10 Mill Street Bedford MK40 3HD @JohnMedhurstLtd 01234 351458 Letter from the Editor The leaves are turning, there’s a nip in the air and Halloween’s just around the corner. Hurrah for October! Team Clanger

Bromham Apple Day BedPop Repair Shop Sunday 20th October at Bromham Mill Saturday 12 October 10am - 4pm Bedford Heights, Manton Lane Another opportunity to learn from the talented volunteers how to fix your broken toaster or moth-eaten jumper. The Repair Shop volunteers will go through the problem with you and show you the tools and skills to get the job done, and they might even let you loose with a sewing needle or soldering iron! You’ll need to stay with your item for the duration of the repair.

The ever-popular Apple Day returns to Bromham Mill on Sunday 20th October. As ever, there will be a range of fun and traditional activities to celebrate all things apple related. On site there will be a vast selection of food and drink on offer and lots of fun-filled activities for the whole family to enjoy. Continuing the apple theme, there will be a real cider bar, a succulent hog roast (with apple sauce) and you can even purchase our namesake, a traditional Bedfordshire Clanger. Entrance and parking fee charged going to support Bromham Mill heritage site.

Bedford Clothes Swop Fixing slots are drop in: book in and turn up any time. You may have Monday 18 March at 7pm-9pm to wait for a Fixer to see you- but refreshments will be on hand. Last repairs will be accepted just before 4pm, and the event closes at Fancy some guilt-free shopping with the proceeds going to charity? 4.30pm. Bedford Clothes Swop is a fun evening to refresh your wardrobe and your door fee will benefit Bedford Daycare Hospice. The art, craft and haberdashery swop table is back, where you can donate leftover materials such as yarn, paint, trimmings, stamps, etc. Ticket info and more information can be found on their Facebook Please help yourself to donated materials! Note you do not need to event page or at: bedfordclothesswop2.eventbrite.co.uk book for this activity. BOOKING ESSENTIAL: bprs12.eventbrite.co.uk

Editor: Erica Roffe @bedfordclanger [email protected] Team Clanger Commercial Director: Julia Crofts @clangerads [email protected] Design: Curtis Reeve [email protected] instagram: @cr.eativedesign Theatre: Paula Walker @pauliwauli2 Website: Alec East @ Narrative Industries

2 The Bedford Clanger • October 2019 FIVER FEST IS BACK! Fiver Fest is back this October and thanks to the Town Centre Champions, there are more independent businesses taking part in Bedford than anywhere else in the UK. Back in June, Bedford took part for the first time in the national event, run by Totally Locally. Dozens of local businesses joined in, putting together special offers for just a fiver. The aim of Fiver Fest is to remind people of the value of independent businesses to town centres, and also how important it is for local people to support those businesses. From fishmongers to florists, cafes to clothes shops, there’s something for everyone among the #bedfordindies. Organiser Helen Patterson said, “We’ve got some really different businesses taking part this time, including two performing arts schools offering singing and dancing classes plus the Longholme has included boat hire! “It’s definitely a Fiver ‘Feast’ again, as even more food establishments have come aboard, plus all the newly opened shops including BBTea, Anorak, The Store and Lotus are involved.” Chris Sands, Totally Locally organiser said, “Bedford was a new town to Totally Locally when they joined in on the Fiver Fest last June, and it quickly became one of the most active of the 41 towns that joined in across the UK. “The passion for Bedford’s town and high street from both shoppers and businesses is amazing. Bedford is lucky to have such a strong community.” Yes we are! For more information and the Fiver Fest map, visit the Town Centre Champions’ website at towncentrechampions.co.uk and check out their Facebook page.

The Bedford Clanger • October 2019 3 Happy October, beer lovers!...

Hops & Dreams 42nd Bedford Beer & Cider Festival Thursday 24 - Saturday 26 October Wednesday 3 - Saturday 6 October 2018 Harpur Suite Bedford Corn Exchange

The annual Bedford Beer and Cider Festival will be held in its traditional venue, the historic Corn Exchange this month. About 160 cask ales and about 50 ciders and perries will be available in the main hall during the festival. The 2018 Champion Beer of Britain, Broken Dream Breakfast Stout Hops & Dreams is a brand-new celebration of modern beer and from Siren Brewery in Finchampstead, Berkshire, is among the music hosted and run by Beerfly, Bedford’s craft beer shop. beers expected. Located in the Harpur Suite, the event will feature a large selection A wide range of imported draught and bottled international beers of modern beers from the very best local and national craft from six European countries and the USA will be on sale in the breweries. international beer bar in the Howard Room. A hand-made chocolate The Pad Presents and Roll Your Own Records are bringing the DJs stall will help you match chocolate with your favourite beer, while a and live bands and there’s an opportunity to meet the brewers of specialist mead bar will join the beer and cider in the main hall. the UK’s very best breweries. Saturday afternoon will see a visit by the ever-popular Morris Men. Beer lovers will have a chance to meet representatives from Wednesday evening’s entertainment will be provided by Ukulele Cloudwater, Polly’s Brew Co & Moncada at their own individually Bedfordl, while Saturday evening will see local band PistonZ. themed and branded stalls where they’ll be there pouring their best Speaking of the festival, CAMRA branch chairman Roger Stokes and freshest beers for punters. said he was excited by what is on offer. “We are always looking to A special festival beer based on a Bedford Homebrewer concept improve our offering, building on past success. This year’s festival brew is being brewed with Three Hills Brewery too and will feature looks to be another step forward and I look forward to sampling on the Beerfly and friends bar alongside such national favourites as what is on offer.” Verdant, Brew By Numbers, DEYA and Unity giving over 25 different Opening at 4 pm on the Wednesday and noon on Thursday and beers to choose from at any one time. Friday, closing time will be 11pm each evening. Saturday is a little There will also be a gin & vodka bar from local distillers Two Birds earlier, 11.30am to 10.30pm. Admission Charges vary according to and cider from Crafty Nectar. day and time but CAMRA members are free at all sessions. There will also be streetfood outside the venue with some of the UK’s best vendors serving up tasty treats! For more info: www.hopsanddreams.co.uk

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A fashion show with a difference is coming to the Harpur Centre for World Mental Health Day Thursday 10 October from 4.30 - 5.30pm As part of Bedford Borough’s annual World Mental Health Day activities on 10 October, Hannah Brown will be presenting a fashion show with a difference. The catwalk will come alive with a range of unique and beautiful handmade garments created out of small pieces of fabric, each with a handwritten message of body confidence, pride and acceptance. Bedfordshire and Luton Recovery College peer tutor, Hannah Brown is leading the project, having presented to and worked with a variety of mental health groups and service providers to design and by the passion of all the volunteers who have lovingly made each create the garments in the lead up to the event. garment.” The Fashion Show follows on from the day’s events in Bedford “I can’t wait for it all to come together in the fashion show in recognising World Mental Health Day led by the team at Mindful October.” Sport. The Bedfordshire and Luton Recovery College is part of the “Body confidence and self-image can really impact on people’s Bedfordshire and Luton Mental Health Academy, a formal mental health,” said Hannah. “The idea of the project is to get partnership service in collaboration with the East London people to think about what positive self-image means to them, Foundation Trust (ELFT) and The University of Bedfordshire. It offers leaving a simple message on the pieces of fabric, all of which have a wide range of free courses and workshops, focused on recovery, been donated by the local community. aiming to provide strategies and techniques for people to use in “To then create beautiful pieces of clothing that truly ‘speak louder their everyday lives to aid their own wellbeing and mental health. than words’ has been a humbling experience and I am so inspired

6 The Bedford Clanger • October 2019 fun palaces

BedPop Fun Palaces return with a Bedford Central Library will be running a Lego Challenge inspired weekend of FREE arts, culture and by the library’s regular Saturday Lego Club. There will also be an art workshop led by students and a creative craft activity. sciencE Keep an eye out for the BedPop Fun Palaces brochure for more details. You can also check The Higgins Bedford, John Bunyan Museum, Panacea Museum and Bedford Central Library websites and social media pages for more information.

On Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October, four BedPop Fun Palaces will be popping up for a free weekend of arts, culture and science in Bedford’s town centre and Cultural Quarter - and everyone’s invited! This is the fifth year that Fun Palaces have popped up in Bedford, joining the international Fun Palaces campaign to community at the heart of culture and culture at the heart of community. This year, the Higgins Bedford, John Bunyan Museum, Panacea Sat 9 Nov 7.30pm Museum and Bedford Central Library have teamed up with local THE PANTALOONS people including Bedford Radio, Goldington Academy, Circus OTHELLO of Illustration, Teaching Talons, Bedford Geology Group, Mark The Critically-acclaimed Pantaloons relocate Rutherford School, Bedford College, Mini Map-Makers and more Shakespeare’s classic tragedy of jealousy and deception to a jazz-age setting, with live music to create free hands-on art and science workshops, events, intense drama and more than a hit of their demonstrations, challenges and activities. own inimitable brand of theatrical mischief £12/£10 At The Higgins Bedford, young people are invited to join in a Thu 28 Nov 8pm political workshop which explores the fundamentals of UK politics, THAT’S ALL FOLK the environment, Vote for 16 and more. LONDON KLEZMER Treats and Tea Party Poetry fun will be available to visitors as well QUARTET A dynamic group of performers whose deep as modern calligraphy sessions. understanding of klezmer, the celebratory and soulful music of Easter European Jews, Other highlights include Vox Pop challenges, activities for budding is reflected in exuberant, passionate and geologists, Victorian Toy workshops, mixed media insects’ art accomplished performances that captivate audiences of all ages and backgrounds. sessions, cartography, board games and an exclusive behind the £12 ADVANCE/£14 DOOR scenes look at the upcoming Dreams and Nightmares exhibition. Fri 29 Nov 7.30pm THEATRICAL NICHE John Bunyan Museum will be running exciting museum trails, UNCLE VANYA offering visitors the chance to find out more about Bedford’s most Theatrical Niche’s acclaimed physical theatre famous resident through a variety of fun and engaging activities. team brings an unmissable production of With opportunities to meet a range amazing animals up close and Chekhov’s witty observations on the irrational human heart, highlighting the farcical nature personal including hedgehogs, lizards and owls and take part in of the text whilst showcasing captivating paper aeroplane workshops and competitions, there is something physical work inspired by the decline of the bee. for everyone to enjoy. £12/£10 Then at the Panacea Museum, there will be paper art workshops See website for further ticket details: using genuine printed pamphlets from the 1920s and 1930s, used www.theplacebedford.org.uk/tickets to promote the Panacea Society during their most active period. or call the box office on01234 354321

The Bedford Clanger • October 2019 7 THE CLANGER Theatre By Paula Walker THEATRE

The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s

Dyad Productions present John Hegley’s New & Selected Orlando Potatoes Friday 11 October at 7.30pm Saturday 12 October at 7.30pm Tickets: £14.00 (£12.00 concessions) Tickets: £14.50 (£12.50 concessions) Age Guidance: 12+ Poet, comic, singer, songwriter and glasses-wearer, John Hegley has captivated and devastated audiences all over the country, in theatres and festivals, at gigs at the Edinburgh Festival, and with numerous appearances on radio and television.

Orlando: Who is she? Who is he? Who are we? Find out in the life-affirming, comedic tale of an immortal poet, whose gender cannot be pinned down, whose spirit cannot be caged, and whose irreverent, romantic adventures across This new compilation shows the breadth of his appeal, with British history – from the 1500s to the present day – provide a seriously funny, cleverly comic poems on everything from love, magic-realist exploration of human identity; personal, sexual family, France, art and the sea to dogs, dads, gods, taxidermy, and national. carrots, spectacles and – of course – potatoes. Based on the satirical 1928 novel by Virginia Woolf.

MEI Theatre present The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s, 26 St Peters St, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Bedford MK40 2NN Tickets and more information available at Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 October (times va ry ) quarrytheatre.org.uk or on 01234 362337 Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions) Age Guidance: all The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show features a menagerie of 75 enchanting puppets during a magical 60-minute show that faithfully adapts four of Eric Carle’s best-loved books for the THE PLACE THEATRE stage. The 50th Anniversary production will feature a brand- new line-up of stories for 2019: Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, the return of The Very Lonely Firefly and, of course, The How to Keep Time: A Drum Solo Very Hungry Caterpillar. for Dementia Friday 4 October at 7.30pm Tickets £12 (£10 concessions) Antosh Wojcik tells the moving story of his Polish grandfather’s struggle against vascular dementia and the effect it had on the people around him. By combining spoken word with music, he aims to unlock some critical questions about memory and language. What happens when memories disappear? Where do they go and can we get them back? Can he use drums to communicate with his grandfather?

8 The Bedford Clanger • October 2019 Theatre By Paula Walker Square Go 600 People Saturday 5 October at 7.30pm Friday 18 October at 7.30pm Tickets £12 (£10 concessions) Tickets £12 (£10 concessions) Max is a normal-ish kid in a normal-ish town. He spends his days Somewhere between stand-up and an astrophysics lecture, Third daydreaming and hanging out with his weird wee pal, Stevie Angel brings you a simple show about huge ideas: the story of Nimmo. But when Max is called for a ‘square go’, a fight by the how a three-hour conversation with an astrophysicist changed school gates, he must wrestle with his own demons first. the way Alex understands the way the Universe works. 600 Don’t miss this raucous, hilarious play about playground People explores how we think about evolution and intelligence, violence, myths of masculinity and the decision to step up or run. belief and invention, communication and space travel, exploring the stories we tell, in order to understand our place in the Salon du Chocolat cosmos and what it means to be human. Friday 25 October at 7.30pm Tickets £12 (£10 concessions) Disgusting Rhymes for Revolting When chocolate was first brought to England in the 1600s, it Children was considered a taboo substance, enjoyed only by the risqué Wednesday 23 October at 6.30pm and elite in private salons. Some of our finest literature was also Tickets: £10 (£8 concessions; family ticket £32) once considered too provocative for public consumption and Jay Foreman, an award winning musical comedian, provides a was heard in similar salon environments by only the boldest of devilishly cheeky hour of songs, poems and comedy for children ears. These intimate environs are recreated, combining mouth- of all ages in this family friendly show, which regularly sells watering chocolate treats with tales of the secret, banned and out its entire runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Using dark scandalous, from authors such as Lord Byron, Mae West, Angela humour and wordplay reminiscent of Roald Dahl, even the most Carter and Joanne Harris. reluctant child will be enthralled.

The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford MK40 3DE Tickets and further information available at www.theplacetheatre.org.uk

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Trust_OuseValley_132x93mmTrust_Clanger_160x110mm 2019.indd 2019.indd 1 1 09/08/201917/07/2019 15:5317:15 The Bedford Clanger • October 2019 9 What’s on…OCTOBER

New exhibition at the Higgins Bedford Eat Feast Bedford: Dreams and Nightmares Riverside Bedford from 4 - 9pm 12 October 2019 - 22 March 2020 Wixamtree and Connections, Free Entry

Head to the Higgins on Castle Lane this month to discover artists’ The monthly street food market, Street Eat, is back at Riverside depictions of dreams and nightmares in this new exhibition, drawn Bedford this month, offering an array of international flavours from from the internationally renowned Cecil Higgins Collection. established street food traders and local caterers celebrating good food, music and great company. Loads of choice, including vegan Explore spiritual visions, spectral images, fairies, witches and and veggie options. Bon appetite! romantic dreams. Works include Samuel Palmer’s dreams of the village of Shoreham, Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s visions of the flames of hell and the literary nightmares of Henry Moore’s Greek myths. Nightmares become reality in Pablo Picasso, Kathe Kollwitz and Francisco Goya’s depictions of war whereas fairies and goblins run riot in the watercolours of Richard ‘Dickie’ Doyle and Arthur Rackham. There is something for everyone in Dreams and Nightmares. Working in collaboration with Christiana Payne, Professor of History of Art at Oxford Brookes University. Image: William Blake (1757–1827) – The Good and Evil Angels Struggling for Possession of a Child c.1793

October events at St Peter’s Chapter House Monday 7 October at 7.30pm Robert Bloomfield (1766-1823) Poet of Suffolk and Shefford Professor John Goodridge, Nottingham Trent University Free to members of the HA (Historical Association). Others welcome, donation £3 Mon 28 October 7.30pm. The impact of the First World War on religion in England Dr Jonathan Rodell , noted historian of religion Free to members of the HA (Historical Association). Others welcome, donation £3 St Peter’s Chapter House, de Parys Avenue, Bedford, MK40 2TX Further details 01234 266839/07989 837819

10 The Bedford Clanger • October 2019 Skeptics in the Pub Extravaganza Bedford presents How To Deflect Your Demons TWISTED CABARET’s Rock n Roll Circus Thursday 17 October at 7.30pm Esquires on Friday 18 October from 8pm - 12am

James Wright is an archaeologist, lecturer and author who is returning to Skeptics in the Pub for this month’s event. Physical The Twisted Cabaret team returns to Esquires’ newly refurbished objects have been placed behind the walls, under the thresholds Room 2 in following their last sell-out cabaret show ‘Rock N roll and within the hearths of historic buildings for centuries. Circus’ featuring a performance by tribute act, The Rolling Stones Discoveries of dried cats, witch bottles and ancient shoes have Now. become common during building works. The explanation for these Twisted Cabaret brings together top-class performers from the UK items is less common - as they were often deliberately placed to burlesque, drag and live music scenes for a darkly gothic evening of ritually protect house and occupants from evil spirits, witches and glamour, horror and decadence. demons. Ruby Wednesday will return to compere, introducing acts including James returns to Bedford Skeptics in the Pub after his excellent, the Unquiet Dead, Charity Kase, Miss Fortune, Naomi Wood and and very well received, talk on historic graffiti last year. Ginger Snaps. North End Social Club, 60 Roff Avenue, Bedford MK41 7TW Tickets are £12 from Slide record shop and Danny’s bar (No marstonvale.org booking fee) or from www.skiddle.com

NT Live: Fleabag (Encore screening) The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s Tuesday 8 October at 7pm Landlords we need you! Bedford Borough Council provides a supportive, reliable and professional property service. We’ll look to get your property rented quickly. We provide a great range of incentives at no cost and the confidence your property is in safe hands.

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Call us now for a free no obligation rent valuation See the hilarious, award-winning, one-woman show that inspired the BBC’s hit TV series Fleabag. 01234 718688 [email protected] Written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Killing Eve) and directed by Vicky Jones, Fleabag is a rip-roaring look at some sort of woman living her sort of life. Fleabag may seem oversexed, emotionally unfiltered and self- obsessed, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With family and friendships under strain and a guinea pig café struggling to keep afloat, Fleabag suddenly finds herself with nothing to lose. Playing to sold-out audiences in New York and London, don’t miss your chance to see this ‘legitimately hilarious show’ (New Yorker). Tickets: £14.50 Quarrytheatre.org.uk

The Bedford Clanger • October 2019 11 Music

Clanger interview: Feet We Love Little Mix Feet (plus special guests The Courts) hit Bedford Esquires on Monday The Ultimate Little Mix Party! 21 October. Clanger correspondent, Lloyd Lugsden spoke to guitarist Harry Southerton for the lowdown on Reading Festival, dressing up Tuesday 22 October @ 6pm, Bedford Corn and, first up, where their name came from… Exchange

Bedford Clanger: Where did the name come from? Upon our first meeting, Joakim, who is now a pilot of all things, suggested we name the band ‘The Talking Heads’, warning signs from the start to be honest. Anyway, we laughed at him and he said ‘oh you’ll just want to call it something stupid like Feet’. There you go. BC: Have you been to Bedford before? Yes, played Esquires two or three times, lovely Wetherspoons as far as they go. That’s the extent of our knowledge in most cities: venues and Wetherspoons BC: What/who are your influences? The title track of the album is influenced somewhat by Frank Zappa. I guess some Parquet Quarts, a freshly chopped sprinkling of the Kinks, If you love Little Mix, you are going to just L.O.V.E this show! and some Metallica for good measure. But if you ask anybody else Featuring four fantastic singers and dancers who really capture the they’ll say we exclusively listen to Britpop. look, the sound, and all the dance moves of one of the UK’s best BC: You seem to like dressing up? Best outfit? loved Girl-Bands. Who doesn’t? There’s been a plethora of outfits since the dawn of the Little Mix came to fame after winning X Factor back in 2011 and have band. Some not mentionable, we had a distastefully themed party of gone on to release five albums and many hit singles, including four the last night of living in the barn, infamous celebrities.... number-ones. BC: The video for Ad Blue looks fun, tell us more? We Love Little Mix features all-live vocals, breath-taking costumes We’d recently be watching cowboy films so decided to do a cowboys and an impressive light and video show. This non-stop, high-energy video. The song came around from Oli accidentally using Ad-Blue as show is packed with all your favourite Little Mix songs including DNA, opposed to water to make tea with. So we replaced the pistols with Wings, Salute, Black Magic, Love Me Like You, Secret Love Song, kettles and Robert’s your mother’s brother, odd video. Shout to my Ex, No More Sad songs, and many more. BC: How was Reading festival? Any anecdotes? Amazing, great turnout considering we started at the same time as Billie Eilish. Picked a bad day for dressing up as aliens as it was far too hot. Abused the rider and had more than our share of the supplies. Show was great too. BC: Any fun riders yet? Nothing past the old beers and crisps, sometimes a sarnie or some gin. Nothing like Sabbath used to get. Rains told me a story about them getting four Lamborghinis and losing them in the sea. Which would definitely happen to us if somebody gave us super cars. I wonder how much stuff Ozzy ruined for future generations. Tickets: £7.50 from Slide Records, Mario’s Hair Design in Kempston and Esquires bar. Also at seetickets.com

12 The Bedford Clanger • October 2019

She Drew The Gun / Mamatung Band Night At The Heights Saturday 26 October at Bedford Esquires Exclusive live music event at Bedford Heights, Saturday 19th October 2019

Under the moniker She Drew The Gun, Louisa Roach started playing Live music, New York Loft-style venue, bar and supporting a local solo gigs with a handful of songs in 2014. Meeting James Skelly of charity at the same time - what’s not to love? The Coral in 2015, Louisa began recording with Skelly at Skeleton Key Get your friends and family together for a very special one-off night of Records and recruiting band members along the way. After touring live music on Saturday 19th October in the fabulous setting of Graze Europe with Fink in 2015 Louisa emerged in 2016 with debut record Café at Bedford Heights on Brickhill Drive, Bedford. Memories of the Future and a fully formed band. Pistonz, CellarV and Hittin’ 88 will all be performing a range of music In 2018 the band have continued to tour as well as recording a new so you can dance the night away. album with Skeleton Key Records due for release this year. They continue to win over fans with their lyrically evocative style coupled Tickets are £15 including a free drink with all proceeds to local charity with meticulously layered songs and have been taking their message Schoolreaders. Book your tickets now for this unique event. Doors outside the UK playing gigs in numerous European capitals. open from 7pm. Car parking and a cloakroom is available. If using a satnav please enter Brickhill Drive rather than the postcode to direct “Junkyard Scouse soul…built ingeniously on a Wirral council budget” you to the car park. 5 Stars - Uncut To book, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/band-night-at-the- Tickets: £13.70 from ticketweb.uk, Slide Record Shop, Mario’s Hair heights-tickets-68121456109 or call 01234 924222. Design in Kempston and Esquires Bar. Band Night at the Heights is kindly supported by Bourns and Bedford Heights. Philharmonia presents Swan Lake Thursday 31 October at 7.30pm Bedford Corn Exchange Santtu-Matias Rouvali - conductor Nikolai Lugansky - piano Sibelius - LemminKainen’s Return Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No.1 Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (excerpts) No need to choose between Finnish legend, a night at the ballet, or an opportunity to hear one of today’s top piannists - Santtu-Matias Rouvali rolls all three into one thrilling concert. Rachmaninov’s First Piano Concerto showcases sweeping melodies and fiery showmanship, framing a ravishing central Nocturne, while the unforgettable lyricism of Swan Lake lingers long in the memory.

14 The Bedford Clanger • October 2019 Best of Bedford: John Medhurst

Tim Edwards is the owner of Beerfly, Bedford’s 1 craft beer shop and bar, plus the man behind this month’s Hops and Dreams beer festival. You can read more about the beer festival on page 4 and in the meantime, here’s Tim’s pick of the best things about our fine town, including a well-deserved mention for Gareth Barber…

Name: Tim Edwards Occupation: Professional Beerfly (1) Born here or blow in? Well, I’m reasonably local, I came to school here and have been living here for 4 years. 2 Best thing about Bedford? Where to start? The Indie businesses, the energetic, entrepreneurial people, the beautiful Embankment? I love Bedford Park (2) too and love having such a great space so close to us. It’s certainly an underrated town particularly for green spaces! Best place to get a coffee or cuppa? Vanilla Tree (3) just down on St. Cuthbert’s. Great place, great people and great coffee. Best breakfast? Haha! I quite like Sainsburys café. Sorry! For a more interesting setting I like the Longholme too. 3 The one place you’d recommend to visitors? One place?! The first place we went to when we moved here was The Higgins Museum (4), they do a great job of curating interesting exhibitions. Ever read John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress? No sorry. Looks like there’s a new animated film (according to Google), so I might see if I can persuade my son to sit through it with me. Bedford’s best boozer? I don’t get out as much as I’d like. Obviously, Beerfly has a great range of different beers and friendly staff! I also like Brewhouse & Kitchen (5) on the High Street or The Ship for sports. Best Bedfordian? I think what Gareth Barber (6) does for the town is incredible, I wish I could get down to Esquires more. The range of events he puts on and 4 maintaining an independent music venue with 2 young children, he deserves a lot of credit. Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? No, I’m not a good Bedfordian am I?! Three words that sum up Bedford: Up. And. Coming. or Exciting, Interesting, Independent

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The Bedford Clanger • thebedfordclanger.com • 15 The Bedford Clanger is printed by White Hart Press, Bedford October 2019 www.bedfordindependent.co.uk

A 21st century news desk for a 21st century Bedford

Don’t wait for print - see the news before anyone else at BedfordIndependent.co.uk BEDFORD AWARDED £2 MILLION HISTORIC HIGH STREET FUND fund is designed to help high streets adapt to changing consumer habits. The investment will turn empty and underused buildings into creative spaces, offices, retail outlets and housing. The hope is that will support wider regeneration by attracting future commercial investment. Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan announced the fund saying the £95 million will be shared between 69 towns across the country. “Our nation’s heritage is one of our great calling cards to the world, attracting millions of visitors to beautiful historic buildings that sit at the heart of our communities. “It is right that we ensure these buildings are preserved for future Bedford is to receive £2 million as “This shows confidence in our vision generations but it is important part of a bid to transform disused for regenerating Bedford as the High that we make them work for the and historic buildings into shops, Street is a key element of our plans to modern world. houses and community centres. create a more vibrant, thriving town The funding has come from £40 The fund is a share of £95 million centre despite the challenge high million from the Department for being used to help revive historic streets are facing nationally. Digital, Culture Media and Sport’s high streets across the UK. “Working with Historic England Heritage High Street Fund and £52 million from the Ministry of Housing, Mayor of Bedford Borough, and local partners this funding will help us bring about real physical Communities and Local Government’s Dave Hodgson, said: “This is an Future High Street Fund. outstanding achievement by the improvements to the appearance of our important streets and buildings.” A further £3 million will be council team and we have worked provided by the National Lottery hard to ensure that Bedford’s bid Online shopping habits have put Heritage Fund and used for a for the High Street Heritage Action high streets across the country cultural programme to celebrate the Zone was chosen. under growing pressure and this life and history of UK high streets.

Ready Steady Roll named as one of UK’s Small Biz 100 A board game cafe in Sharnbrook, has been selected on 7 December, the campaign will spotlight each of the as one of this year’s 100 trail-blazing small businesses Small Biz 100, as part of its mission to celebrate small in the official count-down to Small Business Saturday, business success and encourage the nation to ‘shop which takes place across the UK on 7 December 2019. local’ and support British small businesses. Ready Steady Roll, which opened in 2017, is one of Ready Steady Roll is being placed in the spotlight this year’s ‘Small Biz 100’, a selection of small businesses on Saturday 9 November, and owner, Darrell Cannon drawn from right across the UK that reflect the diversity is already planning some special events to make and vibrancy of the UK’s 5.6 million small businesses. the occasion. In the 100 days running up to Small Business Saturday continued on page 3 BREW / BAR / EAT / SHOP COFFEE / GATHER

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@brewpointuk brewpoint.co.uk continued... “Ready Steady Roll started out as a monthly Pop Up Board Game Café as a way to bring families and friends close together,” said Darrell. “Over the last couple of years we have had the pleasure of watching Ready Steady Roll grow and expand, and with us now in our permanent location we get to see our lovely customers having fun and enjoying cake five days a week! We were thrilled to be chosen as one of the Small Biz 100 and can’t wait to celebrate it on the 9th of November!” “Small Business Saturday’s increasing popularity Customers can choose to play any of the 350 games on means it was harder than ever to choose just 100 of the shelves and the on-hand Games Gurus will teach you this country’s incredible 5.6 million small businesses how to play so you don’t even need to read the rules. to showcase, but we believe those we have chosen are true representatives of the diverse, creative and “I love it when skeptical people who think they don’t like inspiring heroes at the heart of our communities.” board games are brought along by friends,” admits Darrell. Last year, The Pavilion in Bedford Park was chosen “I pride myself on being able to find a game to suit as one of the Small Biz 100. Owner Emma Garret said, anyone. We always win them over!” “Being part of the Small Business 100 campaign is a While you get stuck into a game, you can enjoy boost to any business and a real honour. some locally roasted Wooden Hill Coffee, home-made “It comes as recognition of all the hard work that cake (baked by Darrell’s wife, Charlotte) and tuck into small business owners put in to make their businesses savoury treats from the Sharnbrook Hill Farm Shop. stand out. Set in the Bedfordshire countryside, surrounded by “The networking and learning opportunities that wildflowers and trees, the café is very popular with present themselves with the SmallBiz alumni both on families, groups of friends and couples. and offline are endless, the only problem as a small Director of Small Business Saturday, Michelle Ovens business owner is having the time and energy to make MBE said: “Each year this campaign has grown in the most of them all!” support from government, business and communities Small Business Saturday 2019 is open to all businesses alike, and so we can’t wait to begin the annual 100-day to participate in and will commence its regional bus tour countdown to Small Business Saturday with the launch roadshow across the UK during the autumn, to drum up of the Small Biz 100 2019. further support.

Operation Apex launched Chief Inspector Rachael Councillor Colleen Atkins, to help residents 'take Glendenning, said: “We have portfolio holder for community worked with our partners and have safety, said, “I’m delighted back their community' in already undertaken a number of Operation Apex has been launched Midland Road successful community engagement and that local partner agencies such events and days of action in the as the Council and local police are A new partnership operation, Midland Road area, targeting working closely together with and focused on driving out crime and alongside the community. anti-social behaviour, has been issues such as littering, obstructive launched to make improvements to parking, drugs and knife crime. “Midland Road has a strong community of businesses and local the Midland Road area of Bedford. “Earlier in the year, we recovered residents who are working with numerous bags of suspected heroin Led by Bedfordshire Police and the us to help make positive changes Bedford Borough Community Safety and drugs paraphernalia during a around the area.” Partnership, Operation Apex is a drugs warrant in Alexandra Road multi-partnership approach aiming to and subsequently secured a closure Information received from the tackle crime and social issues. order on the premises. public plays a significant part in helping to build a picture of what It will also provide support to “After a warrant was carried out type of crime is happening in allow local businesses and residents in a property in Midland Road, five certain areas. to come together, voice their people were arrested on suspicion concerns and work together to You can report suspicious of human trafficking offences. improve the area and make it a nicer behaviour by calling 101, in person area to live in. “Operation Apex isn’t just about at Lime Street Station or online at There are also plans for a multi- tackling criminal issues, but is also www.bedfordshire.police.uk. agency hub within the area which about getting the residents of this Alternatively you can report will be easily accessible and highly area to take back their community and information to independent charity visible in order to break the cycle of be proud of the work they have done Crimestoppers, anonymously, on social issues. in creating a better place to live.” 0800 555 111.

3 Bedford Independent • October 2019 News in brief For more on these stories and others head to BedfordIndependent.co.uk

Bedford man charged Government says East West Rail Project after breach of sexual risk order is “nationally significant”

A Bedford man has been charged with breaching a sexual risk order and sending threatening messages. Majid Akhtar, 31, of Old Ford End Road, Bedford, was attested yesterday (20 September) and charged today with three counts of breaching a sexual risk order and two counts of sending a letter/ communication/article conveying a threatening message. He remains in custody and is due to appear in court on 21 October.

Refurbishment of Bedford’s Park Inn nearing completion The East West Rail Project has The CBI has also weighed in on the been declared a Nationally Significant project, with Richard Tunnicliffe, East of as Mercure take over Infrastructure Project (NSIP), meaning that England Regional Director, CBI saying: once comprehensive public consultations “Local business wants to see greater Hospitality group Accor has today into the project are complete, the connectivity across the region.” announced that the riverside hotel, Secretary of State for Transport can EWR Co say the new connections will authorise the project. previously operated as the Park Inn, is create opportunities for employment and now open in Bedford under its Mercure The East West Rail Company (EWR Co) business growth across the region and says the new line is expected to be built by also provide transport for much needed brand. the mid-2020s and will complete the link new developments. Mercure Bedford Centre Hotel, located between Oxford and Cambridge, passing “I fully appreciate the importance in St Mary’s Street, Bedford, is owned through Bedford. of good connectivity to support local by Danish real estate group Proark and While the section between Oxford and communities,” said Rob Brighouse, Chairman at EWR Co. managed by Mercure. Bedford can use older, currently disused, rail lines, the route from Bedford and Cambridge “So, achieving this status as an NSIP is Half of the 121 bedrooms have already will need an entirely new rail line. important because it unlocks the ability for been refurbished and the remaining Earlier this year, EWR Co consulted on us to secure a Development Consent Order bedrooms and public spaces will be five possible route options for the line to authorise the project. complete by the end of October 2019. between Bedford and Cambridge. “It’s brilliant to get two affirmations for A full report of the consultation is the project in one week with our mention Jean-Marc Vendioux, Senior Vice expected to be published later this year, in the Government Spending Review also President Managed hotels UKI, said: alongside the preferred route. warmly welcomed.” “Guests can already expect an incredibly high level of quality and personalised service, as they would receive in any when he tried to leave, causing him to Mercure. drop his basket and run away. “This will be elevated by the look and The staff member attempted to take feel of a hotel rooted in its local Bedford the stolen alcohol back, but was pushed community once the refurbishment is by Turley who grabbed two bottles and ran away. complete later this year.” On 19 March, Turley targeted another Tesco store in Riverfield Drive where he filled a basket with food and alcohol. Again, he was confronted by staff and was escorted out of the shop. Just before Scott Turley, 38, from High Street, leaving he took a needle from his pocket Bedford was jailed on Tuesday (17 and threatened staff. September) at Luton Crown Court. Sergeant Rowland said: “Turley is a Following the sentencing, Sergeant nasty individual who continually threatened Ted Rowland said, “Nobody should have staff in order to steal small amounts of to deal with the levels of violence he alcohol. displayed when they go to work. “Turley’s time behind bars will hopefully “I am satisfied with the sentence give him an opportunity to reconsider his imposed by the judge, as his unacceptable actions and learn from them.” behaviour left the victims of his crime Turley was jailed for four years for Bedford thief jailed understandably shaken.” robbery, and was handed a further eight after targeting three On 6 March, Turley entered Sainsbury’s weeks for breach of a suspended sentence, in Clapham Road and stole three bottles of which will run consecutively. supermarkets and alcohol. When confronted by a member of He received two nine-month sentences staff he threatened to stab them and ran to run concurrently for two counts of threatening staff away from the shop. possession of a bladed article in a public A prolific and violent thief from Bedford On 10 March, he and another man went place following the incidents in Clapham has been jailed for four years after being to Tesco in Cardington Road. The second Road and Riverfield Drive, and a further 12 found guilty today of offences in Bedford man stole a number of bottles of alcohol, months to run concurrently for the offence supermarkets in March this year. but was confronted by a staff member in the Tesco store on Cardington Road.

Bedford Independent • October 2019 4 10 Mill Street, Bedford 01234 351458 @JohnMedhurstLtd