OCTOBER 2017 THEBEDFORDCLANGER.COM
THE BEDFORDCLANGER YOUR CULTURAL GUIDE TO THE BEST OF BEDFORD
Inside: BEDPOP FUN PALACES BEDFORD BEER FESTIVAL 40TH ANNIVERSARY
MR X STITCH MAGAZINE LAUNCH
EXTRAVAGANZA MOULIN ROUGE SCREENING Letter from Team Clanger Woo hoo! Autumn is here and we’re back from our summer break. There’s lots to look forward to this month, from amazing theatre and live music to BedPop Fun Palaces and Bromham Apple Day. Why not raise a glass and help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Bedford Beer Festival at the Corn Exchange on 4th – 7th October? If you’re 40 during the festival, you can claim a free pint! We’ve also got the lowdown on The Frog (the newest addition to Riverside Square) and Gareth Barber’s Best of Bedford. Finally, we can’t sign off without saying a very fond farewell to The Pad nightclub. A stalwart of Lurke Street for 15 years, the building is now under new management, but our memories will live on. Team Clanger THE CLANGER NEWS IN BRIEF Team Clanger Pomaceous, dude! Editor: Erica Roffe @bedfordclanger 15 October 10:30 am - 4:00 pm [email protected] The ever-popular Apple Day returns to Bromham Commercial Manager: Julia Crofts @clangerads Mill on Sunday 15th October 2017. Visitors can expect [email protected] a range of fun and traditional activities to celebrate Design: Adam Boreham @reactionvm all things pomaceous.* On-site there will be a wide reactionvisual.media selection of food and drink (including cider) and lots Photography: Cat Lane @catlanephoto of fun-filled activities for the whole family to enjoy. Music: Lloyd Lugsden @lloydlug Bromham Mill, Bridge End, Bromham, Theatre: Paula Walker @pauliwauli2 Bedford MK43 8LP tel: 01234 824330 Food & Drink: Stephen Bywater @authorbywater [*cannot get enough of my new favourite word. Website: Alec East @ Narrative Industries Twice in one article!] QYouth launches in Bedford A new LGBTQ+ support and social group for 13-19 year olds health, to understanding gender and sexuality and is being launched in Bedford by the charity Q:alliance. LGBTQ+ specific family support. Thanks to a seed funding grant from the Harpur The charity has been successfully running a QYouth Trust, QYouth Bedford will run weekly from October group in Milton Keynes since 1998. 2017 providing LGBTQ+ teenagers with support and a Overseen by Q:alliance’s Bedford Trustee Rosie safe space to socialise. Young LGBTQ+ people are at Middleton, QYouth Bedford will be run by a qualified significantly increased risk of social isolation, bullying youth worker and a small team of volunteers from a and mental health problems*. They are often unable central Bedford location. The location and time of the to talk to friends and family about what they are going group will not be advertised for safety reasons, but will through due to a lack of understanding around the issues. be available through contact with our team. Sessions will be both social (music, film, and games Q:alliance are currently recruiting a youth worker. nights), and educational, providing information and For more information please visit: www.qalliance. support on a range of issues from mental and sexual org.uk or email: [email protected]
the puddin club RIVERSIDE TENNIS CLUB Goldington Road. Bedford Puddings • Cakes • Breakfast • Cheeseboard
Great Coffee • Prosecco • Wine • Beer • Cider Take your game to the next level
Ice Cream • Milkshakes • Afternoon Tea (booking required)
Gin Night - October 19th A selection of large specialist gins at £25 per person Sharing Antipasto boards can be pre-ordered at £5 Booking essential
get your just desserts
07773 943586 Facebook: thepuddinclub Autumn Programme 2017 now available at 120a Castle Road, Bedford, MK40 3RG www.riversidetennisbedford.co.uk
2 The Bedford Clanger • October 2017
New public THE CLANGER art in Bedford UNIQUE BEDFORD Last month, Bedford’s newest piece of public art was unveiled in Riverside Square. Entitled The Frog, and commissioned in association with Bedford Creative Arts, the artwork by William Rounce was installed as part of the on-going development of Riverside Square. Taking its inspiration from Bedford’s brick-making past, the panels depict repeated images of the ‘frog’ or top of a brick and were commissioned by the developers of Riverside Bedford specifically to conceal an electricity substation that is situated on the square. William has also created an art trail for visitors to explore the inspiration for the piece. It includes the ‘Somewhere in England’ gallery at the Higgins Bedford, where William researched the Stewartby brickworks and saw the brick mould that ultimately formed the basis for the panels’ design. The Frog isn’t the only element of Riverside Bedford to have taken inspiration from the brickworks. Both Zizzi’s and Gourmet Burger Kitchen have referenced the town’s industrial heritage in their interior design, with exposed brickwork in evidence in both restaurants. As with most things in Bedford, the artwork has divided opinion, particularly among the many figurative art connoisseurs and critics. ‘But it’s not a frog’ and ‘When’s the hoarding being taken down?’ are typical of the ‘below the line’ comments on social media. We’re looking forward to seeing how the Frog blends into the publics’ consciousness over time; as visitors experience it up-close, understand it’s relevance to our social history and enjoy the visual trickery of the concave and convex ‘frog’ patterns. Once all of the Riverside Bedford building work is complete, all the units are filled and the square’s trees have matured, the Frog will no doubt become part of the furniture and something that everyone - even the figurative art fans - can grow to love.
“Delightfully freaky" THE TELEGRAPH THE TWINS MACABRE: PLAYTIME Thursday 26 Oct, 7.00pm Maurice and Ivy Macabre are 10-year- Ticket price old psychic siblings who have a £12.50 penchant for finger painting and (£10.50 concessions) murder. Having run away from the Age suitability circus, (which mysteriously burnt down 14+ causing their parents to perish…) the Running time pair conjure the souls of the damned 60 mins through twisted sketches and songs. 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 • October 2017 3 CLANGERTHE LATEST NEWS
7th -8th October – The Higgins, Bedford Central Library, the Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s, Panacea Musuem, John Bunyan Museum, Basement @ Bunyan, St Cutherbert’s Hall, Rogan’s Books and Slide Record Shop. On October 7th and 8th, nine BedPop Fun make fabulous leaf crowns, surrounded Palaces will be popping up in Bedford, and inspired by the wonderful artwork in bringing FREE arts, culture and science the Wixamtrees gallery at the Higgins.” events to the town centre as part of the Bedford Creative Arts and artist Maria international Fun Palaces weekend. Anastassiou will be running drop-in Bedford will be one of over 250 towns workshops to contribute to a huge ‘living and cities taking part all over the world. mural’ that will be projected onto the This year, BedPop has teamed up with wall of the William Harpur Gallery at Autism Bedfordshire to offer a number the Higgins over the whole weekend. of autism-friendly events. There will be Maria recently ran the same workshop specific sessions with artist Anne-Marie at the Whitney NYC. Slide Records will Stijelia and also Bloodhound rocket cars, be running DJ masterclasses on Sunday plus supported sessions with engineers and science students from Goldington from Network Rail and artists from Academy and Kimberley College in Bedford Creative Arts. More information Wootton will be running hands-on and booking details can be found at science demonstrations and experiments bedpop.co.uk. in the foyer of the Higgins all day on “This year’s programme of events is Saturday. Castle Newnham School will really exciting and is taking place in lots be running singing, music and drama of different locations, including museums, workshops throughout the weekend. the Quarry Theatre and Slide Records in “Thanks to generous funding from the Arcade,” said Erica Roffe of BedPop. “We’re collaborating with world-class, the Harpur Trust, we have been able to locally-based artists, school children and bring Bilimnakhwe Arts’ multi-cultural local businesses to offer dozens of free production of the Tempest to the Quarry events for visitors to take part in. We’re Theatre,” said Erica. “Not only will be thrilled to have added some autism- have a free professional performance friendly events to the programme too.” of the show, but we are also offering For the first time, BedPop is partnering theatre workshops too.” with the Forest of Marston Vale – a BedPop Fun Palaces is generously superb local visitor attraction. “Taking our supported by sponsors including inspiration from the Higgins’ exhibition ‘A Woodfines solicitors, Slide Records, You Celebration of Trees in British Art’, we will Can Book Me and in collaboration with be running leaf identification walks in the Bedford Borough Council. grounds of the museum with volunteers The full Fun Palaces programme can from the Forest,” said Erica. “Artist Lisa be downloaded from bedpop.co.uk with Tilley will then work with the children to details of all bookable events.
4 The Bedford Clanger • October 2017 Sunday 15th October 2017 11am - 4pm at Bromham Mill & Gallery
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Bromham Mill Bridge End, Bromham MK43 8LP Tickets: £5 Adults, £3 Concessions
Phone: 01234 718616 Email: [email protected] THE CLANGER X Stitch LATEST NEWS This year, Clanger fave and local legend, Jamie – Mr X Stitch – Chalmers launched his very own magazine; a modern take on the art of embroidery. “I’ve been Mr X Stitch for the best part of a decade and in that time I’ve been doing my bit to change the way people think about embroidery and needlecraft,” said Jamie. “All the while I’d had a day job for a charity, but at the start of 2017 I was offered redundancy from my role and this prompted me to launch a Kickstarter campaign to see if I could publish a cross stitch magazine of my own, one that reflected my attitude towards this needlecraft that I love so much.” Jamie’s crowdfunding campaign was a huge success, hitting its £6000 goal in four days and going on to raise just under £14000. And so XStitch was born! XStitch is a cross stitch magazine for a modern world. A quarterly publication, each issue is themed and Jamie has asked the best cross stitch and needlepoint to respond to the theme in their own creative ways. The result is an eclectic mix of modern designs that’s truly unlike any other cross stitch magazine out there. “We also have articles, interviews, produce reviews, tips and techniques and each issue has a collaborative Spotify playlist so people can listen while they stitch to songs chosen by our contributors. The magazine is design led and thanks to the awesome talent of Stacy Grant, we’ve got terrific photography to round it all off!” You can buy the limited edition of Issue 1 directly from xstitchmag. com, including a digital version plus pre-order Issue 2 while you’re at it! Local stitchers, enter the coupon code “CLANGER” at the checkout, and receive £1 off the price of Issue 1, digital or print.
‘Pride Inspiration Hope’ Exhibition of The Journey from Bunyan to the Brickworks At The Basement at Bunyan 24th October to 4th November 11am-4pm (closed Sundays and Mondays)
6 The Bedford Clanger • October 2017 AT THE HIGGINS THIS MONTH: A Walk in the Wood: a Celebration of Trees in British Art Opens 30th September, Wixamtree Gallery, Free entry This autumn, The Higgins Bedford pays homage to the tree with a new exhibition celebrating the role of trees and woodland in British landscape painting. Drawn from the world-famous Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection, some forty watercolours, drawings and prints from the past two centuries will be on show and will include works by John Constable, John Sell Cotman, Edward Lear, Samuel Palmer, Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland and Lucian Freud. The show will highlight the importance and enduring popularity of trees in art, and explore various themes which have evolved in artists’ depictions of nature: magical and dreaming trees, trees in the countryside, the pleasures of woods and the lure of the exotic. The exhibition has been organised in collaboration with Christiana If, like us, Payne, Professor of History of Art at Oxford Brookes University. you are a little bit in love with Alice Pattullo’s poster for this exhibition, it’s Tree Portraits available to buy from Wednesday 25th October, 11am – 1pm then 2 – 4pm the Higgins shop. drop in, The Higgins Bedford, Free event, no need to book Join local artist Lisa Tilley for a free drop-in art activity inspired by the beautiful paintings of trees in A Walk in the Woods. Using leaf printing, leaf rubbings and even embroidery you will be able to make your own beautiful tree portrait. Sponsored by Oxford Brookes University Check the Higgins website and Facebook for more half-term tree-related activities.
Relaxed, Remarkable, Refreshing BLOG SENSE - AT THE PARK Pavilion at the Park Tuesday 10th October 9:30-15:30 Café open 9am-6pm every day for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Tea Open in the evenings for Private Parties and Supper Clubs Blogsense is a blogging workshop taking place at The Pavilion at the Park in Bedford on Tuesday October 10th. This is an all day workshop although it can be split into half days for those for whom time is tight.
It is run by experts in the field and is the first ina series of what we hope will be practical and inspirational workshops at the Park.
This workshop provides a toolkit for those interested in starting a blog, those who have just started a blog or those who are intrigued about what it might entail.
The group will be encouraged Half Day Morning £99 to share knowledge and expertise and this will Half Day Afternoon continue post-course with £99 online forums for those attending the workshop and Full Day Ticket £175 the workshop tutors. 01234 351104 Tickets www.pavilion.attheparkbedford.co.uk/events/ pavilion.attheparkbedford.co.uk Contact [email protected] for further details PavilionatthePark @BedfordPavilion attheparkbedford
The Bedford Clanger • October 2017 7 World Mental Health Day: Mindful Sport’s youth yoga CLANGERTHE WHAT’S ON? As part of World mental Health Day, activities will take place in Harpur Square on 10TH October from 11am-2pm and at the Higgins Bedford from 3pm-6pm. Everyone is invited and join in free sports, art groups and find out more about The Art Centre’s October positive mental wellbeing. Bedford’s Mindful Sport program has a new featured artist: Owain George partnership with CAMHS to support young people This month’s featured artist at the Art Centre and Gallery on Howard Street, is wildlife with the mental and physical health. Starting painter, Owain George. Earlier this year he was shortlisted for the Wildlife Artist of the on the 17th of October, the #JustTurnUp session Year award and this month another piece will be auctioned for the Explorers against will be every Tuesday from 4-5pm at the John Extinction charity. View and purchase Owain’s work from 30th September until Bunyan sports and fitness centre with a Yoga 14th October. artcentre.biz georgewildlifeart.com teacher qualified in adolescent Yoga practice.
Sankofa: Bedfordshire’s Black History Uncovered Opens 30th September. Connections Gallery at the Higgins, Bedford. Free Entry “It is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.” Sankofa is an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana based on a mythical bird and symbolizes this people’s quest for knowledge. To the Akan, it is this wisdom in learning from the past which ensures a strong future. This exhibition will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in the UK and explore Bedfordshire’s own Black History through the inspirational people within the African and Caribbean community who have been instrumental in their leadership and achievements. There will be a programme of events and activities to compliment Sankofa, including a debate, talks, workshops, and African and Caribbean Day and a hair conference. Please check thehigginsbedford.org.uk for further information and details.
‘Break the Stigma’ Art & Poetry Display Tuesday 10th October 3pm- 6pm, Higgins Bedford In partnership with Dr Ben Salmons, Break The Stigma Campaign Lead at East London NHS Foundation Trust and local artist, Damon Poulton, people with lived experience of mental health problems have created art and poetry to express their experiences following a series of creative workshops. The Higgins Bedford will be launching the display on World Mental Health Day to break the stigma surrounding mental illness. There will be a tea party, music performances, speakers, creative workshops, performance and more. Thehigginsbedford.org.uk Bedford Film Society: New Season, New Venue Bedford Film Society’s new 2017-18 season launches this month and they have a new venue at Bedford Academy on Mile Road. Films including Lion, Search for the Wilderpeople, I Am Not Your Negro and the Oscar-winning Fences are some of the picks of this year’s programme. New members are always warmly welcomed and it is possible to just turn up on the night and pay a guest entry fee. Annual membership (Includes access to 20 films) £49 (Concessions £39). Guest ticket per show-£4.50 Bedford Academy, Mile Rd, Bedford, MK42 9TR Plenty of free parking is available on site. bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk
8 The Bedford Clanger • October 2017 Blogging at The Park Blogsense is a full or half-day blogging workshop taking place at The Pavilion at the Park in Bedford on Tuesday October 10th. Hosted by experts including Lucy Bishop, Emma Amoscato, Mel Knibb and Nathalie Newman, this is the first in a series of practical and inspirational workshops at the Park. The event is broken down into 4 hour long workshops and refreshment breaks and lunch are provided by the team in the Pavilion Kitchen. To book, go to pavilion. attheparkbedford.co.uk/events
Blogger: Lucy Bishop
Precious Earth Art Collective Exhibition and Bedfordshire Climate Change Forum This October sees the second exhibition by Precious Earth Art Collective (PEAC) in collaboration with Bedfordshire Climate Change Forum (BCCF) at Basement@Bunyan. The exhibition focuses on environmental issues and said Mandy Caldon, ceramics tutor at Bedford Arts and Crafts Centre, ‘Many of my students were very keen to be a part of this new venture. It’s proved to be a great learning opportunity for us all, researching the issues that affect our world have inspired artists to create with passion.’ PEAC are very excited to welcome Ant Sauchella an environmental and sound artist, who will be performing an opening ceremony at the private view on October 9th 7-9pm. Mandy Caldon will be running a pottery workshop 11th October 10-12pm. 9th - 18th October Basement @ Bunyan between 11am and 4pm
WIN A SIX-MONTH MEMBERSHIP TO JOHN BUNYAN SPORTS & FITNESS AND FIND OUT ‘WHAT’S YOUR FIT?’ THIS AUTUMN We’ve teamed up with Fusion Lifestyle, the leading charity which provides leisure facilities to local communities across the country, to give one lucky reader the chance to win a 6-month membership to John Bunyan Sports & Fitness. The centre is home to a new gym, new group exercise studios, an 8-court sports hall for badminton, table tennis and kids’ games. The centre also features the biggest soft play in Bedford. So, whether you like to gym, cycle, jump or pump there’s something for everyone – with so much choice you just need to decide ‘What’s Your Fit?’ and get started. And, if you’re not the lucky winner you can visit www.fusion-lifestyle.com/wyf to claim a free day pass, so you can still get involved. For your chance to win simply answer the following question: How many months is the prize membership package for? Send your answer to thebedfordclanger@ gmail.com with the subject: Fusion Fit. Closing date: 31st October 2017.
The Bedford Clanger • October 2017 9 THE CLANGER THEATRE The Quarry at St Lukes
The Quarry Theatre presents Lucy Hopkins & Bob Slayer Double Header Date: Tuesday 3 October at 7.30pm. Tickets: £12.50 (£10.50 concessions). Age Guidance: 16yrs+ (some nudity)
LUCY HOPKINS: POWERFUL WOMEN ARE ABOUT BOB SLAYER: WHATEVER NEXT? Experience ultra-conscious comedy by an award-winning, “Last Fringe, I read the Chilcot Report, inspiring a political re-awakening internationally touring, terribly present clown. Come as at a time when I’d much rather be asleep… What started as a gag ended you are. Leave transformed. Lucy is also known as Aunty up an award-winning political happening. What next? A big revelatory Val in Spencer Jones’s Christmas short (Sky TV) and Charlie ending where we all see the light? That will be as beautiful a surprise to Chuck’s assistant Mary. me as anyone. But I’ll not stop trying.”
The People’s Theatre Company presents Don’t Dribble On The Dragon Date: Saturday 21 October at 2.30pm. Tickets: £11 (£9 concessions) Family Ticket £36. Age Guidance: 2+ Tom is a toddler with a cool older brother, a secret dragon… and a dribbling problem that just won’t stop! When Tom’s endless drooling threatens to tear the brothers’ friendship apart, can their dragon’s amazing magic help them put it back together again or will it only end up making things worse? Based on the fabulous new book by Steven Lee and with magic designed by the legendary Paul Daniels, this spectacular musical adventure, about growing up and the importance of family, is the perfect feel good show for big-hearted adults and loving little ones alike.
Farnham Maltings & House present For All The Fires Not Yet Lit Date: Tuesday 10 October at 7.30pm. Tickets: £12.50 (£10.50 concessions). Age Guidance: 12+ For All the Fires Not Yet Lit is a solo performance that tells a simple tale of one woman’s quest to find her brave bone. Claire Lyons’ fiancé FOLK NIGHT: FAUSTUS doesn’t think she should make a speech at their wedding reception, neither does her mother. However, a morning outing to get some milk THURSDAY 5 OCTOBER / 8PM turns into an odyssey of minute proportions, where small risks have ALL TICKETS £14 / ALL AGES big consequences and timid Claire surprises herself and others. Over ‘RIDICULOUSLY GREAT BAND.’ the next 24 hours, our unsuspecting heroine goes on a protest, makes TOM ROBINSON BBC 6 MUSIC friends with a shoplifter, ends up in a prison cell and wakes with a very different view of what is or isn’t possible.
WE ARE THE LIONS, The Quarry Theatre presents MR MANAGER! SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER / 7:30PM The Twins Macabre: Playtime FULL £10 CONCESSIONS £8.50 / AGE 14+ Date: Thursday 26 October at 7.30pm. Tickets: £12.50 (£10.50 ‘A COMPANY MAKING A NAME FOR DELIVERING concessions). Age Guidance: 14+ VIVID, POLITICALLY COMMITTED THEATRE.’ As seen on BBC3’s ‘Live at the Electric’, ‘The Twins Macabre’ is a dark THE OBSERVER character-comedy duo like no other. Maurice and Ivy Macabre are 10-year-old psychic siblings who have a penchant for finger painting theplacebedford.org.uk/tickets and murder. Having run away from the circus, (which mysteriously burnt down causing their parents to perish...) the pair conjures the souls of the 01234 354321 damned through twisted sketches and songs. Tickets available: 01234 362337 or www.quarrytheatre.org.uk
10 The Bedford Clanger • October 2017 The Place
Theatrical Niche presents Lady Windermere’s Fan Date: Sunday 8 October 7:30pm. Full £12 Concession £10. Ages 12+ When a mysterious new beauty enters high society, the in-crowd is sent scattering outwards, bent utterly backwards and flattened low to find out exactly whom they are dealing with. Oscar Wilde’s raucous social comedy pulls apart the intricacies of etiquette and flips expectation rump-over-head in this scathingly funny satire.
Townsend Productions We Are The Lions, Mr Manager! Date: Saturday 14 October at 7:30pm. Tickets: £10 (Concessions £8.50). Age Guidance: 14+ This is the remarkable story of Jayaben Desai, the inspirational leader of the 1976-78 Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike. Jayaben brought the issue of workplace exploitation and racism to the fore, challenged the perception of Asian women being inherently passive and docile, whilst having the measure of the most brutish and charmless of her managers. This is social history presented in Townsend Productions’ imaginative, engaging style with songs and music of the 1970s.
Theatre of Widdershins presents
The Three Billy Goats Gruff & Other Furry Tales Date: Monday 23 October 11am and 2pm. Tickets: £10 (Concessions £8.50). Age Guidance: 3+
The perplexing question of fairy tales – what really happened between the wolf and his three porky friends? Why was Goldilocks wandering in the woods? How did the goats overcome a mighty troll? – are explored Friends for Life is a registered charity and explained by the wonderful Theatre of Widdershins with the help of working to reduce the social isolation fun, laughter, some gorgeous puppets and a soundtrack that will stick in of residents in Bedford’s care homes. your head long after you’ve left the theatre. We need volunteers to help with: Certain Age presents Befriending Fundraising Weekend Breaks Social media Administration Date: Wednesday 25 October to Saturday 28 October at 7:30pm. Tickets: £10 (Concessions £8). Age Guidance: 12+ Martin, a PhD in literature and a lecturer in theatre studies at his local Humberside university, is really a frustrated writer and has rented a cottage in the Lake District to concentrate on writing his Hollywood blockbuster. Hoping for inspiration and peace and quiet, he decides to invite his ageing parents along for a weekend break, hoping for a nice Are you able to help us? cosy time together. With twists and turns and unexpected revelations, this weekend break evolves into an opportunity for the release of a For more information email: lifetime of pent-up frustrations. [email protected] Tickets available: 01234 354321 or or phone: 07460 575410 www.theplacebedford.org.uk
The Bedford Clanger • October 2017 11
THE CLANGER MUSIC...OH YEAH! Ian McNabb of The Icicle Works Eighties alt popper Ian McNabb is coming BC: Why do you think to Esquires on the 5th October with The there is such a musical Icicle Works, who had a notable hit with heritage in Liverpool? Love is Full of Wonderful Colours. Since IM: Well, so much music came in from the ports then he’s had a successful solo career in the 1950’s, we were on the west, so the playing alongside Neil Young, Ringo American imported music came in from blues to skiffle and rock n Starr and Noel Gallagher to name a roll. There was a big wave of bands in the sixties, then of course the few. Lloyd Lugsden has the lowdown: late 70s it kicked off again. It’s in our DNA, that’s what you do, play BC: Been to Bedford before? football or form a band. People are very encouraging in Liverpool, if IM: I was chatting to Matthew Priest, the drummer for Dodgy who you suggest starting a band, they’re like ‘yeah, go for it!’ pays for us and he said I definitely had but I can’t remember! I’ve BC: What can we expect from your live set? played so many venues, it’s in the hard drive up there somewhere. IM: we want to please the audience, so they’ll be all the songs So, apologies to people of Bedford for not remembering! This is the you’d expect plus some of my solo stuff. We do a 2hr 45minute set, first gig of the tour so it’s always exciting as we’re trying out some with a break half way, so we can have a wee wee and a sit down, new material, as well as the old stuff. coz we’re getting old! BC: Where did the name icicle works come from? BC: Plans for next year? IM: It was from a book, a 1981 short story by Frederick Paul, ‘The IM: Yes! I’m going into the studios with Cold Shoulder to record. Day the Icicle Works Closed’. The name was typical of bands of the BC: Have you ever been confused with Andy McNabb? time ‘The Teardrop Explodes’, etc. I’m not sure about the name now IM: ha! Yes, people like to rib me about that now and again. I was but you just stick with it. Look at The Beatles, terrible name, Mud, going to call my book Bravo 3 Zero to confuse people! I mean! BC: Did you know it was the name of a computer game? More info on Ian at: www.ianmcnabb.com. Tickets available IM: No, I didn’t know about that, I could be making some money from seetickets.com, and locally Boutique Planet, Esquires from that...ha ha! and Mario’s Hair Design.
40th Bedford Beer & Cider Festival Wednesday 4th to Saturday 7th October 2017 Corn Exchange, St Paul’s Square, Bedford MK40 SL Open Wed 4-11, Thu Fri 12-11 Free soft drinks Sat 11.30-10.30 Tombola and pub game Admission before 4pm: £1 Engraver After 4pm: Wed £2, Thu £3, Mead bar Fri £4, Sat £2 Chocolate matching stall CAMRA members free Short street pass-outs No under 18s: ID required Wheelchair access all floors Souvenir glass £2.50 sale or return. �Wed: Sloop Groggy Dogs Hot + cold food all sessions �Sat: Ukulele Bedford 160 real ales + 50 ciders and perries draught and bottled international beers Sponsor a cask of ale – £50 puts your business on the bar!
@nbcamra northbeds.camra.org.uk ☎01234 822698
12 The Bedford Clanger • October 2017 Bedford Extravaganza in partnership with Bedford Film festival presents: Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge. Join the fabulous Bedford Extravaganza team and Bedford Film Festival for an enhanced screening of Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge. The evening will feature a screening of the film with added drag and burlesque at Empire Night Club on Thursday 5th October. Taking part will be Miss Blair, a beautiful vintage-inspired drag queen and member of Manchester’s internationally famous, Family Gorgeous. Bootsy Bonafonte is the reigning Burlesque Idol UK and will be joined by other burlesque performers including Briar Rose. Dream Wife + Guests Glamourous popcorn girls will be serving Friday 20th October, 8pm. Bedford Esquires. Tickets £8 in advance free snacks before the movie. Tickets are Every year, the Pad Presents team heads to Brighton for their annual promoter jaunt at The on sale now, including VIP options. Ticket Great Escape Festival. They go to check out the best new bands, and this year the team was link: bedfordfilmfestival.org/ unanimous in agreeing the one band that stood head and shoulders above the rest. Luckily Empire Night Club, 29 Mill Street for us, they’d already secured a Bedford date, so this month you can come see them on your Bedford MK40 3EU on Thursday 5th doorstep, when Dream Wife headline Esquires Main stage on Friday 20th October. October 7.30pm This isn’t your average house party. Dream Wife literally and metaphorically invite you to jump into the mosh pit. Oozing girl power, the music juxtaposes simple pop hooks, cutting riffs and screamy, dreamy vocals. The world of Dream Wife is brought to life with roaring live shows, an empowering attitude embracing the strength of femininity, and collaborations with CABBAGE vibrant creatives of the London scene. Also, BBC6Music stalwarts, Cabbage are “This band are creating a real buzz,” said Pad Presents’ Kevin Bailey. “We don’t say this playing Esquires on 18th October. An edgy too often, but DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!” and debauched bunch live, they mix dark Tickets are on sale right now from seetickets.com, and locally Boutique Planet, humour with punk DIY attitude in the same Esquires and Mario’s Hair Design. This is a 14+ ages show, under 16s to be vein as Fat White Family. Get involved! accompanied by an over 18.
The Bedford Clanger • October 2017 13 THE CLANGER FOOD & DRINK
40th anniversary for New Charles Wells’ Bedford Beer Festival beers launch… Wednesday 4th – Saturday 7th October 2017 at Bedford Local brewer, Charles Wells is hosting the trade and press Corn Exchange preview on Wednesday afternoon, where they will be exclusively What better excuse to raise a (lined) glass than the 40th birthday of launching their top secret new beers under the Wandering Brewer Bedford Beer Festival? This annual celebration of real ale takes place moniker. The Wandering Brewer project is an exciting new range at the Corn Exchange and anyone also celebrating their 40th between of beers which will help influence the first beers to be brewed at 4th and 7th October can claim a free pint (proof of age required!). Charles Wells’ forthcoming new Bedford brewery. The first brews Approximately 160 real ales will be on offer, including a range are in collaboration with XT Brewery in Long Crendon near High of draught and foreign beers from Belgium and Germany plus 50 Wycombe, with other breweries also joining them throughout the real ciders and perries. Live music and the Bedford Morris Men project. They are a taste of things to come for the Bedford-based will provide the entertainment. brewery, and locals will get an exclusive opportunity to try them Branded lined pint and half pint glasses are available sale or return before anyone else in the country. for £2.50 and soft drinks are free of charge for any designated drivers.. Opening times: Weds 4pm – 11pm, Thurs – Fri 12pm – 11pm, Saturday 11.30am – 10.30pm. Admission prices apply; CAMRA members free admittance. Pavilion Book Club Supper Club: Being Committed by Anna Maxted On Thursday 12th October, the Pavilion Book Club welcomes the acclaimed best-selling author, Anna Maxted, to be Guest Author for this third in their series of popular Book Club Supper Clubs. The evening will feature a Q&A session with the author, followed by a two-course dinner with ample opportunity for casual discussion. The chosen book is ‘Being Committed’, so get reading! Anna has published seven novels and two children’s books. Emma Garrett, owner of the award-winning Pavilion at the Park says, “We are really excited that Anna Maxted is coming to Bedford to talk about her book ‘Being Committed’. I have been a fan of her novels for some time now and we ‘met’ virtually through twitter! I can’t wait to meet Anna and I know she will have a captive audience here at The Pavilion.” You don’t have to be a member of The Pavilion Book Club (or any other book club for that matter!) to join in, however, tickets for these supper clubs sell fast. Tickets can be booked online at eventbrite.co.uk/e/ anna-maxted-book-club-supper… The ticket price of £20 includes a delicious 2 course meal.
14 The Bedford Clanger • October 2017 THE CLANGER GARETH BEST OF BEDFORD BARBER This month we put our ‘Best of Bedford’ questions to Gareth Barber, the owner of Esquires and Bears & Tales. At the heart of Bedford’s live music scene, Gareth is responsible for bringing some of the biggest names and emerging artists to the town. He (or Tom the barman) is also responsible for some of the best cocktails in Bedford.... Occupation: Serial event promoter and cocktail tester Born here or blow in? Born, not raised, reintegrated Best thing about Bedford? All the positive people that make the great things happen and try to improve their town instead of moaning about it, oh and Esquires and Bears & Tales of course (plug, plug, plug!) Best place to get a coffee or cuppa? It has to be Coffee and Art for me, always the perfect coffee temperature (91C), good surroundings and decent food too. A close second for Flame Rouge bike shop down Bromham Rd, a hidden gem who have kept me going in the office on many a morning. Best breakfast? I don’t really eat breakfast, but Elevenses opposite Bears & Tales make a mean bacon and egg roll. The one place you’d recommend to visitors? It has to be the river. Whenever we get bands come to town, if they have time after soundchecks I tell them to go take a wander down there. That new café down there is decent too (The Longholme). Ever read John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress? No, I’ve only ever read the Mr Men collection, Peanuts books and Viz. Bedford’s best boozer? If we’re talking traditional boozer then you can’t go wrong with either The Devonshire Arms off Castle Rd or The Welly. I don’t really get time to go to too many other drinking holes as I’m always suck in my own! Best Bedfordian? I would probably say John Bunyan, I hear his books are very good. Either that or the Mayor, he’s done lots of really good work for the cultural aspects of Bedford. I hated that civic theatre anyway and enjoy paying parking fines there now, convenient. Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? No, it looks pretty grim doesn’t it, no one should be messing with jam and meat. No slant on the paper of the same name though. Three words that sum up Bedford: Enterprising, Heartbreaking and Mystifying.
The Bedford Clanger • October 2017 15 Supported by the Friends of The Higgins Bedford