NOVEMBER 2018 THEBEDFORDCLANGER.COM

THE BEDFORDCLANGER YOUR CULTURAL GUIDE TO THE BEST OF BEDFORD

SMALL IS beautiful

Inside: Pavilion at the Park celebrates #SmallBiz100 // Gregg Wallace at the Quarry Theatre // Love In A Bag Bedford // and more! Letter from Team Clanger

Team Clanger Editor: Erica Roffe @bedfordclanger [email protected] Remember, remember, there’s loads to do in Commercial Manager: Julia Crofts @clangerads November. Theatre, live music, a children’s book [email protected] festival and the build up to the festive season. Come THE Design: Emma Lemon @typegalstudio CLANGER on, everyone. Head to Bedford! Photography: Cat Lane @catlanephoto NEWS IN BRIEF Team Clanger Music: Lloyd Lugsden @lloydlug Theatre: Paula Walker @pauliwauli2 Website: Alec East @ Narrative Industries Soupfest – from 11am 27 November 2019 Following the First World War centenary: success of last year’s inaugural Soupfest, There But Not There the charity take-over This month sees the centenary of the end of Harpur Square of WW1. To mark the occasion, will back – serving communities had the opportunity to take up amazing soups to part in There But Not There, a National raise money for homeless charities Installation of the Fallen. The project sees Once again, Bedford’s chefs will be creating their lifesize silhouettes and Perspex cut-outs signature soups to be sold from the Soupfest of First World War soldiers (Tommies) marquees in Harpur Square. For just £3, customers dotted throughout the country. Six of the Perspex seated figures can be can purchase a warming cup of soup, knowing that seen in Elstow Abbey, donated by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust their money will be helping some of Bedford’s most and everyone is welcome to visit. Money raised from the sales of the vulnerable people. Tommy figures will be donated to the following charities: The Royal This year, the chefs will also be on stage in the Foundation, Walking with the Wounded, Combat Stress, Help for Soupfest demo kitchen. The aim is to smash last Heroes, Project Equinox: Housing Veterans and Medical Students and year’s total of £4,500 raised. We have no doubt Commonwealth War Graves Foundation. soup-er-stars will do it. Elstow Abbey, Church End, Elstow, Bedford MK42 9XT

Beacon of Light To mark the centenary of the end of the First World War and a weekend of events there will be a lighting of the Beacon Of Light in Bedford as part of the ‘Battle’s Over’ National Tribute on 11th November. Bedford will join the event with a beacon lighting tribute at the War Memorial on Bedford Embankment and everyone is invited to join in. Additioally, a commemorative bench will be installed on the Embankment and there will be an overnight vigil by the War Memorial on the Embankment, followed by the Remembrance Serivce at 10.30am on 11 November.

HAND LETTERING + ILLUSTRATION A BOARDS • WEDDING STATIONERY MURALS • SIGNWRITING • BRANDING [email protected] @typegalstudio

2 The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 Small is Beautiful! Pavilion at the Park

Bedford’s award-winning Pavilion November celebrating Bedfordshire’s independent businesses at the Park has been named as one starting with a breakfast to connect the many brilliant Bedford indies. of the UK’s top ‘Small Biz 100’ by Between 8 - 10am, grab a bacon butty and a hot drink for just a Small Business Saturday. Based fiver - or FREE if you post about The Pavilion to your followers on in Bedford Park, the cafe and Instagram, Twitter and/or Facebook. The #SmallBizSatUK Twitter community hub has been selected account has over 43.6K followers, so this is the chance for Bedford’s as a trail-blazer in the official count- small businesses to go viral and take over the feed! #smallbiz100 down to Small Business Saturday, which takes place across the UK on 1 December 2018. The achievements and contribution to the local community of Pavilion at the Park will be celebrated and spotlighted on Thursday November 8th, one the 100 days running-up to Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday celebrates small business success, and encourage the nation to ‘shop local’ and support British small businesses. The 2018 #SmallBiz100 are drawn from every corner of the UK and reflect the vibrancy of the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses. Reflecting the latest in innovative start-up trends, from ethical shopping, through From 10am - 4pm, all freelancers are invited to work from the to Artificial Intelligence, this year’s Small Biz 100 features a range of Pavilion at the Park all day. Take advantage of free Wifi, plus free unique independent businesses. This year’s cohort joins hundreds of tea and coffee for you and anyone you arrange a meeting with. previous Small Biz 100 alumni champions, which have been celebrated The team from Explore Bedford will be at the Pavilion all day to by the iconic campaign since its UK launch in 2013. raise the profile of the #bedfordindies and the Bedford Independent To celebrate this, the Pavilion at the Park will spend Thursday 8 will be reporting live throughout the day. Come and say hi!

The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 3 Delivering the news in Bedford - welcome the Bedford Independent

Managing Editor, Paul Hutchinson

This year has seen the demise of the Midweek, just months to a 5,000 strong audience across Facebook, Twitter and after its predecessor, the Beds on Sunday was closed. In a Instagram. “We expected a gradual incline of interest when modern age where social media confuses opinion with fact and we announced our plans in early August,” adds Paul. “But the where ‘fake news’ is rife, trusted local news sources are more floodgates opened, and we’ve been swamped with editorial important than ever. As corporate-owned local newspapers are requests and interest. People are desperate for a trusted cutting costs and closing papers, the Bedford Independent - source of genuine news to fill the unfair void imposed on launching its website this month - is bucking the trend. Bedford and the surrounding area. “What happens on our doorstep directly affects our lives, As more and more local newspapers close, it’s clear that making local news much more important than anything else their out-dated business model is not working. The Bedford we find in our social media timelines,” said the Bedford Independent is online, hyperlocal and born from a grassroots Independent’s managing editor, Paul Hutchinson. “What you love of the Borough. “We already know that the majority of read about online, in the papers, or hear on the radio can people access news online and mostly through their mobile affect everything you do locally. It’s crazy then that the last phones,” said Paul. “However, we won’t abandon those who few years have seen other local news desks close, move to don’t have access to the internet regularly, so we will be another town, or devote less time to our area.” publishing a roundup of our biggest and most important news The Bedford Independent, which proudly promotes itself as ‘a stories in our sister publication the Bedford Clanger.” 21st century news desk for a 21st century Bedford’ launched Follow the Bedford Independent at BedfordIndependent.co.uk on social media in August and has gone from a standing start and on Facebook, twitter and instagram

Teen Takeover of the Bedford Clanger along, I grabbed it,” said Head of Sixth Form, Kirsten Bernard. “The project had just the right skills development opportunities that we seek within the Sixth Form at St Thomas More. Teen Takeover was a perfect project for epitomising what we try to instil in Sixth Formers - independence, seeking out opportunities, getting involved and thinking bigger than yourself. The girls have shown drive and enthusiasm throughout, from the initial idea generation to the finished article; an engaging multi genre This year, the Bedford Clanger has been working closely with read . It is always wonderful to see such positive involvement, students from St Thomas More school to produce a special Teen community contributions and commitment in our teenagers within Takeover issue of the magazine. the school, well done to Daisy, Cherith, Georgina and Abi for Compiled by Daisy Smith, Georgina Morgillo, Cherith Jones their tireless hard work on this.” and with cover artwork by Abi Barkas, the issue covers topics You can read the Teen Takeover issue on our website including politics, sport, mental health and social media. Printed thebedfordclanger.com. If you’re interested in taking part in next in October, the on-going aim is to produce an annual edition year’s project, we’ll be releasing details in the Spring. compiled by 13 - 19 year olds. “When this opportunity came

4 The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 A 21st Century Newsdesk for a 21st Century Bedford thebedfordindependent.co.uk Explore Bedford

The Bedford Clanger is going through an evolution. From next The launch coincides with the opening of a new volunteer-run month we’ll be sharing our pages with our sister publication, the Visitor Information Centre at St Paul’s Church, highlighting the Bedford Independent and we’ve just launched Explore Bedford need for tourism and visitor provision in the Borough. - a website and PR campaign to promote the best of Bedford “Bedford is growing and more and more people are moving Borough to visitors and residents alike. to the area,” said Clanger editor and Explore Bedford co- From heritage and culture to shopping and leisure, the Explore founder, Erica Roffe. “We need to showcase the brilliant things Bedford website will be full of recommendations for days to do in the Borough to encourage residents and visitors to out, what to do and where to stay. The blog and social media come and spend their time (and money) here. Our PR and channels will share interactive content and our PR and marketing marketing campaign will promote the wealth of things to see campaign will spread the word in the national, regional and and do in Bedford. From the Panacea Museum to Foster Hill local press as well as Road Cemetery, Box End Water Park to the best of Bedford’s independent retailers (#bedfordindies) - we’ve got it covered.”

Saturdays 11am-4pm WINTER OPENING HOURS November 10th, 17th, 24th NOVEMBER 2018 - APRIL 2019 December – closed January 12th, 19th, 26th February 2nd 9th 10th November Museum and Gardens Bunyan Meeting Christmas Fayre Thursday, Friday and Saturday 24th November 11.00 am - 4.00 pm Bedfordshire Day Cafe 12.00 pm - 3.00 pm

6 The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 Explore Bedford Bedford’s BookTastic Children’s Book Festival Saturday 17 November at the Place Theatre

The programme for this year’s Booktastic Children’s Book festival is now live and, as ever, the team have curated some brilliant events hosted by the Place Theatre. Here’s the low down: Jonny Duddle, author of the bestselling Pirates series, Gigantosaurus and King of Space, will open the day at 10am with an hilarious, swashbuckling performance to celebrate the launch of his latest book, The Pirates of Scurvy Sands. Performance poet and children’s author, A.F. Harrold (Things You Find in a Poet’s Beard, Greta Zargo, The Imaginary) is taking the stage at 11:30am with a mind-blowing celebration of words. At 1pm, internationally renowned illustrator David Roberts (Tyrannosaurus Drip, Rosie Revere Engineer, Dirty Bertie) will bring to life the many vivid characters of the women’s suffrage movement with his book, Suffragette. The day is brought to a close with a grand finale from dynamic duo David Litchfield and Ross Montgomery at 2:30pm and their latest book, Space Tortoise. Copies of all books will be available to purchase on the day and all authors and illustrators will sign books after the event.

Signed copies will be available after the event from Rogan’s Books at Castle Lane in Bedford. Tickets are now on-sale from Eventbrite. This four-act event is a mini-fest for 2018, which will be followed-up by the main festival in Summer 2019. For more details follow BookTastic on Facebook (booktastic.bedford), Twitter (@BookTasticBeds) and Instagram (@ booktasticbedford), or email [email protected]

The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 7 THE Theatre By Paula Walker CLANGER THEATRE

THE PLACE THEATRE

Noctium Theatre presents: Hymns Swan Theatre Company presents: for Robots Great Expectations By Charles Thursday 1 November at 7:30pm / Tickets: £12 Dickens (concessions £10) / Age guidance: 12+ Tuesday 13 to 17 November at 7:30pm In a small attic, packed in hundreds of cereal / Tickets: £12 (concessions £10) / Age boxes, lies the life’s work of Delia Derbyshire guidance 8+ - the unsung genius behind the Doctor Who A terrifying encounter with an escaped theme tune and trailblazer of electronic convict forever changes the life of the music. Join Noctium, as they explore this orphaned Pip. Turning his back on his fascinating tale of the mother of modern humble beginnings as a blacksmith’s music. Using strange sounds and weird apprentice, he strives to better himself “wobbulations”, Noctium brings you a sonic and become a gentleman, unaware of experience your ears won’t believe. Hymns for Robots mixes the hidden dangers that await him. Noctium’s unique heightened performance style with analogue This exciting and fast-paced adaptation and digital music to bring you an extraordinary life that was lays bare a tissue of lies and guilt, in almost forgotten. Charles Dickens’ least sentimental love story. It also tackles big questions house & Bedford Players Trust of identity, while mustering a cast of present: Enter the Dragons unforgettable characters, chief amongst them Miss Havisham, Friday 2nd November at 7:30pm / Tickets: £10 Magwitch, Estella and Joe Gargery. (concessions £9) / Age guidance: 14+ Enter the Dragons is a riotous, surreal odyssey, which explodes the myths about The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford MK40 3DE getting older. The show explores ideals Tickets and further information available at www. of beauty, sex and feminism, as the theplacetheatre.org.uk protagonist must overcome challenges set by mystical characters who inhabit the landscape of the Banished and embarks on a quest to halt the ageing process - or at least re-brand it. Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Certain Age presents: Vote! Tuesday 20 to Friday 23 November at 7.30pm Sharnbrook Mill Theatre / Tickets: £12 (concessions £10) / Age guidance: 12+ presents: Avenue Q In 1918 women were given the vote and everything changed. Monday 5 to Saturday 10 November at Well, no, not exactly. In 1918 some women were given the vote 7.30pm. / Tickets: £10 / Age guidance: 15+ and some things began to change. Vote! is a new play entirely This outrageous, puppet-filled, comedy musical about a devised and performed by Certain Age. Using material from a university graduate finding his way in New York City is filled with wide variety of sources, the piece explores how women gained hilarious songs, innovative dance moves and a rather ‘adult’ the vote and takes a, sometimes light-hearted look, at how scene. When Princeton moves into a shabby area of New York, all attitudes have changed (or not!) over the last century. the way out on Avenue Q, all he wants to do is find his purpose. However, as everyone knows, life doesn’t always turn out how you planned, but if you have an interesting array of friends in Swan Theatre Company presents: all colours, shapes and furs around you… Well, anything can Poetry at The Eagle Bookshop, happen! Castle Road Sunday 4 November at 7:00pm / Tickets: £5 Tickets available at sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.uk or in The Great War and After - 100 Years of Commemoration in poetry, person from Pick-a-Lily florist in Sharnbrook prose and drama.

8 The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 Stewartby Operatic Society Theatre By Paula Walker The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s presents: Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore Only Fools and Boycie – An Venue: Stewartby Village Hall MK43 9LX. Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 November at Evening with John Challis 7.30pm / Tickets: £10 - £12 Friday 16 November at 7.30pm This comic opera is set in Tickets: £17 a Cornwall village, where Age guidance: 14+ a team of professional Enjoy an intimate evening with John bridesmaids is looking for Challis, one of the nation’s greatest work. Rose Maybud and comedy actors, best known as Boycie Robin Oakapple are a likely in BBC1’s Only Fools and Horses. couple, but Robin is hiding In this one-off show, the national his true identity, Sir Ruthven treasure will reveal secrets from the Murgatroyd, baronet of set with stories and anecdotes from Ruddigore. Unfortunately, the his dazzling career. title comes with a curse that means he has to commit a crime a day or die in torment. The audience are in for a treat with a few Gilbertian plot twists, directorial liberties and beautiful music.

The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s, 26 St Peters St, Bedford MK40 2NN Tickets and more information available at quarrytheatre.org. Tickets available at www.saods.org.uk or on 07557 670703 uk or on 01234 362337

The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 9 What’s on…October

Friends of the Higgins Lectures Emma Mason - The Work of Robert present: Jovan Nicholson - Tavener (1920-2004) Winifred Nicholson and the Tuesday 27 November at 7.30pm Liberation of Colour Robert Tavener’s own list of his favoured subject matter tells us much about the artist – ‘English Countryside and English Tuesday 6 November Architecture. Shape, pattern, colour, texture, design… the underlying relationship with the past, of our landscape and building’. Emma Mason, who is a dealer in modern prints, will tell us about Robert Tavener. The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane, MK40 3XD. Places are limited so please arrive promptly. Tickets - Friends £4, Guests £9

Skeptics in the Pub: We Do Things Differently Thursday 15 November at 7.30pm Winifred Nicholson (1893-1981) wanted, she said, ‘to paint pictures Our systems are failing. Old models – for education, healthcare that can call down colours, so that a picture can be a lamp in one’s and government, food production, energy supply – are creaking room, not merely a window’. Nicholson was profoundly interested under the weight of in how prismatic colour transforms objects and their settings. modern challenges. As The art historian, Jovan Nicholson, who is Winifred Nicholson’s the world’s population grandson, explores this strand of her work. heads towards 10 billion, it’s clear we need new approaches. Futurologist Mark Stevenson sets out to find them, across four continents. From Brazilian favelas to high tech Boston, from rural India to a shed inventor in ’s home counties, We Do Things Differently travels the world to find the advance guard re-imagining our future. At each stop, he meets innovators who have already succeeded in challenging the status quo, pioneering new ways to make our world more sustainable, equitable and humane. Mark has also written for The Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Intelligent Life, The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, The Daily Telegraph, and The New Statesman. His key skill is an ability to take complex or abstract concepts and make them understandable by non-specialists without trivialising the subject matter. Skeptics at the Pub at North End Social Club, 60 Roff Avenue, Bedford MK41 7TW bedford.skepticsinthepub.org

10 The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 What’s on…October So Television presents: Gregg Bedford Film Society – November Wallace: Doesn’t Get Tougher screenings Than This This month, Bedford Film Society screens two films at its new Saturday 10 November at 7.30pm venue at the University of Bedfordshire. The star of BBC’s MasterChef, Inside The Factory and Eat Well Loveless (15) will be shown on 14 For Less takes to the stage for this brand new live show mixing November. This Russian language film hilarious behind the scenes opened to critical acclaim and won tales with demonstrations the Jury Prize at the 2017 Cannes Film and audience fun and Festival. Critics viewed it as a gripping games. Join Gregg as he story of a family crisis and a statement answers the questions on life in Russia. On 21 November, the you’ve always wanted to Florida Project (15) is screened. It was ask, shares anecdotes and chosen by both the National Board of dishes up a sumptuous Review and American Film Institute as one of the top 10 films of serving of MasterChef’s 2017. The plot follows a six-year-old girl living with her rebellious juiciest bits. Complete with mother in a motel in Kissimmee, Florida as they try to stay out of a Q&A, this really is a must- trouble and make ends meet, so they may keep one step ahead of see event for any foodie and impending homelessness. The title is derived from the early name Gregg fan! for Walt Disney World, located near the setting of the film. Premium tickets (including signed merchandise) and limited VIP Twenty films will be shown during the year including some of the meet and greet tickets also available – book early! most popular recent releases, art house films and the occasional classic film. Tickets: £20.00 (£30.00 premium ticket*, £40.00 VIP ticket**) All shows start at 7.30pm *Premium ticket includes show ticket and signed apron Membership is £49 for the year, with reductions for concessions. **VIP ticket includes show ticket, signed apron and meet & greet Non members can pay £4.50 on the door. with Gregg (post show) Bedford Film Society University Of Bedfordshire Theatre, Polhill Running Time: 90mins (+15min interval) Avenue, MK42 9TR Age Suitability: 14yrs+ bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk

Lighting Up Bedford at Christmas On Thursday 22 November, Bedford town centre will be lit up as the Christmas countdown begins – launching late night opening every Thursday. Throughout the afternoon, families are invited to join Santa and his reindeer in Harpur Square and have pictures taken in the Snow Globe. Entertainment will be provided by the brilliant iridescent Bubble Man and an array of Marvel Comic characters. The Christmas light switch on will include a giant tree on Silver Street – supported by electrical suppliers, Michael R. Peters and with decorations made by staff and customers at The Art Centre of Howard Street. Riverside Bedford will also be lit up for the first time and the traditional fireworks display along The ChristmasAd_160x60mmCMYK_Days_.pdfEmbankment will begin 2 at15/10/2018 7pm. 20:03

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The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 11 Music

Nevermind the Brexit...Brix it! Sunday 4 November, Bedford Esquires This month, Pad Presents and Roar Club/Club Biscuit present a special gig at Esquires with Brix and the Extricated*. The indie rock band formed in 2014 with former members of agit-post punkers The Fall, including singer Mark E Smiths ex- wife Smart, who took the name Brix from song Guns of Brixton. Some believe The Fall’s best songs, or certainly the most accessible, were produced while Brix was in the band, leading to the band’s career being broken into pre- Brix, Brix and post Brix years. Last year the band released the Part 2 to much acclaim. They’re a favourite of 6Music DJ (another ex-Fall member, they get everywhere), so there’s a good endorsement if you need one. You can catch up on Sunday TV drama on iplayer, so get down Esquires for some high-brow and a gentle jostle. Support comes from The Metatrons. *extricated: free (someone or something) from a constraint or difficulty.

From – All Mod Cons 40th Graham Jones – The Vinyl Revival anniversary + greatest hits show and the Shops That Made it Happen Slide Record Shop Thursday 22 November Friday 16 November, 7.30pm at Bedford from 7pm Corn Exchange Spend an evening at Slide Record Shop this month listening to tales from the mad world of record retail with the man himself, Graham Jones. Graham Jones has spent 32 years travelling the UK selling to independent record shops and visited more record shops than any other human. 2018 sees the 40th Anniversary of the release of ‘All Mod His new book ‘The Vinyl Revival And The Shops That Made It Cons’ the third album release by The Jam. Happen’ guides you around the record shops of the UK who sell new Following a sell-out show in 2017, the band – fronted by vinyl. He has gathered some fascinating and funny anecdotes told to former Jam member, - will be performing hits him by our much-loved record shop staff so that when you visit you from the All Mod Cons album, including one of their most will feel like you already know the characters behind the counters. commercially successful singles, ‘Down In The Tube Station At It is perfect for vinyl fans to keep with them on their travels around Midnight’, followed by a selection of the classic hits and great the country. album tracks from their stellar back catalogue. Graham will be telling anecdotes from the bonkers world of record In 2000, Q magazine placed ‘All Mod Cons’ at Number 50 in retail, with a pop quiz for you competitive types. There’ll also be its list of the 100 Greatest British Ever.. goodies for attendees and there will be a charity collection for Living It Up Events. The Jam had amazing chart success with 18 singles and seven albums to make the top 40 in the from their The event is FREE and BYOB, with nibbles provided. You will need to debut in 1977 to their break up in 1982. Their last five albums book a ticket and the awesome people at Beerfly will give you 20% were all top ten hits and their last eight singles made it off delicious craft beer* to enjoy on the night. Just show them your into the top 10. Those attending this gig can expect to hear ticket to get your discount. *Up to 10 bottles or cans. masses of classic Jam hits such as Down In The Tube Station We’ve all got homes to go to... At Midnight, , , The Modern World and many more…..

12 The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 November Highlights: 3rd Eskies 4th Brix and the Extricated 10th Nirvana UK and Proper Pearl Jam (spellcheck renamed this Nirvana Uganda, maybe next time Pad lads?!) 16th From the Jam, 40th anniversary of All Mod Cons* 16th The Godfathers plus The Reformers 17th Skindred (sold out) Sat 24th Astroid Boys, punk and hardcore, with the narrative approach of grime culture Sat 24th The Amorettes 28th My Baby, a shamanic journey All gigs are at Esquires, except *The Corn Exchange. Tickets available from the venue, Marios Hair Design, Slide Records or seetickets.com

Bedford Choral Society to sing Haydn’s Creation Saturday 17 November, 7.30pm at the Corn Exchange Bedford Choral Society will be performing Haydn’s ‘Creation’, composed in the 1790s and a firm favourite of audiences since then.

‘This is Haydn’s best choral work, as far as I am concerned’, says Ian Smith, Music Director of the choir. ‘It has some charming and unusual features, including several songs celebrating the creation of animals, and some interesting instruments, a contra-bassoon, for example. It is gloriously joyous and a treat to hear and to sing.’ There are three soloists; Bethany Seymour, Joel Williams and Benjamin Bevan.

Tickets are available from the Bedford Box Office, the Harpur Suite, 01234 718044 bedfordcornexchange.co.uk Tickets £16 and £13, concessions available, students £6.

The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 13 bedford-clanger-quarterPg-Ad-AW.indd 2 19/10/2018 09:10 fOOD & dRINK

Decant Wine and Cheese Deli Special events at Decant will include Cheese and Wine tasting evenings and a Sicilian evening. “ Decant Wine and Cheese Deli is the latest addition to Castle Lane and Bedford’s Cultural Quarter. As you’d expect from the We will be open on Thursday 22nd for the light switch on and on name, they serve a hand-picked selection of French cheeses, 29th November we are working with Rogan Books for a shopping complimented by fine wines (other drinks are available). This evening between 7pm-9pm month sees the launch of the deli, as well as light breakfasts plus Opening hours over the weekend are as follows- coffee and cheese to takeaway. Thursday 6-10.30pm, Friday 5pm-1am, Saturday 12pm-1am and “I started Decant after a trip to Paris earlier this year,” said Sunday 12pm-5pm owner, Sophie Robinson. “I fell in love with the cheese and the Decant 20 Castle Lane MK403US tel: 01234 327796 wine available and it went from there. Our Sommelier, Marco, is facebook/decantbar always available for a discussion with customers about our wines and thanks to his expertise we are expanding our wine list.” Steak-ing a claim on the prize Helen Davies, Director of Woburn Country Foods Butchers based in Haynes, is a finalist in the National Women In Meat Awards, Food Service Category. The competition is run by Meat Management Magazine to celebrate the work of women in the meat industry as they are still very much in the minority of staff numbers. A panel of judges from the meat & butchery industry select 4 finalists in each category. Their votes will be combined with an online vote from customers and suppliers of each nominee, and a winner will be announced at a glittering ceremony in London on the 16th November. Helen joined the family business in 2003 when they had 5 staff and an annual turnover of £250k. Helen has worked marketing the business to catering outlets, selling at farmers markets and launching their three butchers shops. They now employ 20 staff & supply over 100 restaurants, hotels, pubs and tourist attractions in Bedfordshire & surrounding areas and have a turnover of £2.75 million. “It can be very challenging trying to keep all of our customers happy, managing the team and trying to source the best local produce,” said Helen. “The industry is dominated by men but, particularly in the last few years, there have been many more women joining the industry. In my work I am most proud of promoting the great quality meats produced by our Bedfordshire farmers and that we get to put money straight back into our local community. Winning the Women in Meat Award would be a real boost for our whole team & recognition for all their hard work & commitment.”

14 The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 fOOD & dRINK Best of Bedford: Mel Stratton

This month’s Best of Bedford have time for that! Lol! comes from Mel Stratton, Best boozer? If Bedfordshire counts then The Old Swan founder of Love in a Bag at Astwood....well worth a visit. Bedford, a charity initiative to help women in crisis. Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? Yes, of course! Mel saw a Facebook post Three words that sum up Bedford: that her sister, who lives in Great Community Spirit Adelaide, had shared. It was Best Bedfordian? My mum or my husband! about an Australian charity initiative called It’s In the Bag, providing essentials to women in need. The concept is simple: find a handbag that you no longer use. Fill it with essentials such as shampoo, sanitary products, face wipes, tissues etc... and it will be donated to women in crisis. After talking it through with friends and family, Mel decided to take the plunge and create Love in a Bag Bedford . She set up a Facebook page on 2 October to get the ball rolling and has been overwhelmed by the response. “My husband and his family run Amorco Transport Limited and immediately offered to be a drop off point,” said Mel. “It snowballed from there.” Other businesses soon got in touch and drop off points Grab a coffee at Mama Concetta now include Seventh Heaven Cakes in the Old Arcade, the Playhouse in Thurleigh, Bedford Heights in Brickhill and Treat Street at Riverside Bedford. In addition to essential products, Mel is encouraging Sharing is caring at 2LikeUs Bistro donors to include a handwritten note for the recipient. “We will be donating the bags to women in crisis, women who may have left their family home with nothing but their children. We want to let those women know that someone is thinking of them and cares about them. A heart-felt note will let them know that they are not insignificant; that someone does care.” Name: Mel Stratton Occupation: Childminder Born here or blow in? Born here, at 12 Irwin Road to be precise! Best thing about living in Bedford? I’m surrounded by my family and the most wonderful set of friends. Best cuppa or coffee? Mama Concetta on Harpur Street Best breakfast? Wendover Drive Cafe The one place you’d recommend to visitors? 2likeUs/ Aperitivo in Castle Road. The best food and the best ‘Bedford welcome’. Two of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. Ever read John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress? No, I don’t

The Bedford Clanger • November 2018 15 AC_260x180_18.qxp_Layout 1 23/10/2018 16:39 Page 1

Open Day Saturday 10 November 10.00am – 12 noon (last tour starts at 11.30am) 1.00pm – 3.00pm (last tour starts at 2.30pm)

Take a guided tour led by current students and meet staff along the way. Hear talks by the Headmaster and the Head of the Junior School. This is a fantastic opportunity to see the school buzzing with energy and at its best.

To book please visit bedmod.co.uk email [email protected] or call 01234 332659/690

Be inspired. Artist Alex Chinneck, renowned for his larger than life masterpieces, learnt to think big with inspiration from his teachers. Bedford Modern School is part of The Harpur Trust