APRIL 2018 THEBEDFORDCLANGER.COM

THE BEDFORDCLANGER YOUR CULTURAL GUIDE TO THE BEST OF BEDFORD COVER BY Alex Parsons BY COVER

Parklife - our celebration of Bedford’s beautiful parks and green spaces / 130 years of Bedford Park / Charles Wellls’ new brewery / the best of live music, theatre and more... Letter from Team Clanger the Editor Editor:Team Erica Roffe @bedfordclangerClanger [email protected] the Editor Commercial Manager: Julia Crofts @clangerads [email protected] Happy2018 sees New the Year 130th and anniversary welcome to of our Bedford first issue Park, so Editor: Erica Roffe @bedfordclanger [email protected] of 2018. As usual, it’s packed full of the best of Design: Emma Lemon twitter: @emmaloulemon instagram: @emmalemonlettering what better reason for the Clanger to celebrate all of Commercial Manager: Julia Crofts @clangerads [email protected] Bedford’sour town’s art, parks culture, and greenfood, music,spaces. theatre This month’s and Best Photography: Cat Lane @catlanephoto Design: Emma Lemon twitter: @emmaloulemon instagram: @emmalemonlettering shopping;of Bedford your comes one-stop-shop from Parkrun of Director, what’s onIan and Williams, Music: Lloyd Lugsden @lloydlug THE whatwe reveal to see. all the headline acts for this year’s Bedford Theatre:Front Paula cover: Walker Alex Parsons@pauliwauli2 CLANGER ThisPark year,Concerts, we welcome plus we havea new news designer of Wrest on board. Park’s FoodPhotography: & Drink: Stephen Cat BywaterLane @catlanephoto @authorbywater Youannual will St already George’s have Day seen festivities. Emma Lemon’sWe also havework NEWS IN BRIEF Website:Music: Alec Lloyd East Lugsden @ Narrative @lloydlug Industries THE insome the greatClanger news (she for designed Bedford’s the boozehounds: Taste Bedford Bears Theatre: Paula Walker @pauliwauli2 CLANGER logo& Tales and is creatednow up ourand indie running retail in itsguide) new and home we’re (see reallymore onlooking page forward14) and Charlesto having Wells her onreveals the team. its plans Please Food: do share Stephen the BywaterClanger @authorbywaterlove with your friends and familyNEWS and don’tIN BRIEF forget you can Asfor aa freelancer,new brewery Emma and isleisure always complex. seeking Just new as well find usDrink: on Instagram, Zoe Stafford twitter, @3oetrope Facebook and our website thebedfordclanger.com. projects,we’ve appointed so please Zoe do Stafford get in contact as our ifdedicated you’d like drinks Website: Alec East @ Narrative Industries tocorrespondent. add your business She’s togoing her toportfolio. be busy! Team ClangerHappy Valentine’s and see you next month, Team Clanger

FriendsKathy Brown’s like Garden these in Stevington New year, new DJs and new ThisBedford month sees is fortunate the re-opening to shows on In2beats FM have some great cultural of Kathy Brown’s beautiful Last month, In2Beats welcomed three new team members to the station: venues on our doorstep. gardens in Stevington. From Amy Botes, Aims and Sassy B. We asked the girls what inspired them to give Both the Quarry Theatre 24th April, the gardens are radio a go? openon toSt thePeter’s public Street every and TuesdayThe Place between on Bradgate1 – 5pm Amy Botes: I have a rich history as a professional actress which has taken (groupsRoad, by host appointment). a diverse me from the Royal Shakespeare Company, to the West End, to Broadway. I have also worked for the BBC Radio 4 drama company and was the Visitorsrange this of month productions will see Cover Star: Alex Parsons frombanks drama of primroses, to comedy, tree peonies, film to tulips stand-up. and late- Both runner up for the prestigious Carleton Hobbs award in 2004. I am also a theatresflowering havedaffodils. recently Highly launched recommended ‘Friends’ by all schemes, at Thissuccessful month’s Entrepreneur Clanger cover and is I designedlove bringing by Bedford the two College worlds ofBTEC business Graphic and soClanger you canHQ –now and helpthe homemade to support cakes the workare amazing! they do The Designperformance student, together. Alex Parsons. That’s why “My Iinspiration was so determined for the Clanger to bring cover a weekly was the whileManor receivingHouse Garden, some Church brilliant Road, benefits. Stevington, MK43 ideapodcast that to Bedford In2beats, parks sharing bring my people knowledge together,” and said expertise Alex. “I in feel communication like my designskills in reflects business. that Listen pretty in wellon Mondays as it is literally 10-11am bringing to hear people tips and together. empowering My Annual7QB tel: 01234membership 822064 ofkathybrownsgarden.homestead. each scheme is £20 (or £35 initialinformation. thoughts when asking people to be photographed was that it would percom [email protected] at the Place), with benefits including be quite hard, however to my surprise the people of Bedford were more discounted tickets on selected shows, priority Aimz: I love the studio atmosphere, I love music and I love talking, it’s really than willing to be photographed, just goes to show that the community here information and booking plus a discount on drinks that simple! is very friendly indeed!” in the bar*. For further information and to sign up, Sassy B: DJing is something I have always liked the idea of but never visit quarrytheatre.org.uk and theplacebedford. Alex’sthought favourite I could dopark it! inWith Bedford encouragement is Jubilee Park I have as had it has a go‘great and fields really to enjoy chill org.uk. Why not join both? One can never have too init! afterAimz aand session I will beat theon-air Moor Wednesdays Lane skate 1-4pm. park’. He aims to join the HND many friends! *terms & conditions apply. Please see GraphicsTune into course In2Beats at Bedford at 106.5fm College next year and is just about to launch his websites for more details. own clothing brand. Watch this space!

the puddin club A BOARDS • WEDDING STATIONERY MURALS • SIGNWRITING • BRANDING Puddings • Cakes • Breakfast • Cheeseboard Great Coffee • Prosecco • Wine • Beer • Cider Ice Cream • Milkshakes • Afternoon Tea (booking required)

Open late every Friday until 10.30pm Private hire available on a Saturday nights

get your just desserts BY EMMA LEMON 07773 943586 Facebook: thepuddinclub Get in touch: [email protected] 120a Castle Road, Bedford, MK40 3RG insta: @emmalemonlettering

2 The BedfordThe Bedford Clanger Clanger • February • April 2018 UNIQUE BEDFORD Bedford Park, Park Avenue, MK41 7TB

Celebrating its 130th anniversary venue (see more information on page xx) and also plays host to this year, Bedford Park is just a Shakespeare. It is nothing if not versatile! short walk from the town centre, Adjacent to Bedford Park is Foster Hill Road Cemetery. An informal covers 61 acres and is home to guided tour takes place every Thursday morning from 9am and the 18,000 trees and shrubs. space is haven for walkers, artists, photographers, historians, nature Throughout the year the park lovers, birdwatchers and anyone seeking peace and quiet. plays host to cricket, football, basketball, tennis, bowls, boot fosterhillroadcemetery.co.uk camps, Nordic Walking, running, pavilion.attheparkbedford.co.uk yoga, triathlons, Mental Health parkrun.org.uk/bedford/ Mates and weekly parkruns. The park has hosted nearly 350 parkruns, with a total of 11,432 runners – an average of 246.9 per week. Parkrunners have covered a distance of 429,545km and counting. At the heart of the park is the Pavilion, run by Bedfordshire Business Woman of the Year, Emma Garrett. Serving great, locally-sourced food, the Pavilion hosts regular art exhibitions, supper clubs, book groups and does a great breakfast! In 2017, the Pavilion served over 21,500 all day breakfasts, nearly 25,000 cups of coffee and over 21,000 cakes and biscuits. Every Bank Holiday Monday, local historian Martyn Pearson leads guided walks around the park. These walks are buggy, wheelchair and dog friendly, so suitable for all the family. The walks begin and end at The Pavilion (meet from 10.30am for an 11.00am start). Each summer the Park transforms into a concert

Morgan and west

More magic for kids | Friday 13 April, 2.30PM Bigger, bolder, and more brilliant than before! Morgan & West return to the stage with a marvellous magic show full of crazy capers for the young, old, and everyone in-between!

Ticket price: £10.00 (£8.00 conc) | Age suitability: 5+

Time travelling magicians | Friday 13 April, 7.30pm No future is left unseen and no time-line left unaltered as these temporal tricksters burst into the twenty- rst century with a show brimming over with bafing magic, unparalleled precognitive powers, and a totally genuine ability to travel through time!

Ticket price: £12.50 (£10.50 conc) | Age suitability: 13+ Box office: 01234 362337 quarrytheatre.org.uk The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s is part of Bedford School, which is part of The Harpur Trust

The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 3 HOMETOWN TOURIST For the Wild Ones by Hazera Forth Ice Cream at the Park Something for all the family

I must stress that it’s difficult to contain myself to a mere few Wild cherry plums, hedgerows of hundred words to tell you of the delights of Priory Country Park. blackberries, crab apples, How can I convey the significant medieval history and the park’s link hawthorn, sloes, teasle, to the dissolution of the monasteries and that the site once had an horseradish and even the Augustine Priory? The stones now form the wall separating the park occasional hop vine as well as Open 9am-6pm every day for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Tea. from Aspects Leisure, beautifully adorned by native wild flowers. native tree species like birch, This is a 360 acre park that attracts walkers and cyclists who can spindle, oak and willow, hazel, amble to Willington and Danish Camp or they can follow the river alder, sea buckthorn, wild rose Great Ouse towards the Embankment and onwards to Riverside give home to a diverse range of North. The large lake greets visitors as well as many bird species fauna. If you listen, you will hear and water fowl, about which many delighted twitchers, birders and the woodpeckers, the long tailed photographers will testify. Resident herons can be seen nesting high tits and the cuckoos. If you’re up around the finger lakes where majestic mute swans have also very good, you might see the kingfisher. There’s a place Winnie raised signets. Licensed anglers can be seen lurking in the small the Pooh would certainly like to visit called Hundred Acre and jetties. Otters have emerged on rare occasions giving people a there is a secret garden too. Sssh. unique experience of wildlife in a park that is effectively surrounded If you’re peckish in other ways, the Cloverdale Retreat has by suburbs. plenty of satisfying food that will suit a family pocket on a Dog walkers can let their best friends frolic at the beach area at morning walk with hearty breakfasts as well as great specials the south end of the lake where a little way over is a bridge taking for lunch and tea time, including the home made cakes. Leave visitors towards the artificial slalom for kayaks and canoes. So, for the carrot cake, that’s mine! the water sport enthusiasts, the Marina certainly also offers a range Priory Country Park, Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9DJ of activities, including sailing. priorycountrypark.co.uk Children, particularly wild ones, will enjoy the zip wire, climbing area and the maze as well the steep slide and den-making spaces in the managed woodland areas.

BEDFORD ROCKS

Whenever you are out and about in Bedford’s parks and green spaces, keep your eyes peeled for Bedford Rocks - you never know where they may be hidden!. If you are lucky enough to find one, Visit us online at simply take a picture of yourself with the rock and post it on the Bedford Rocks UK Facebook page. Then, you can either take your rock home or re-hide it for someone else to find. Feel free to join in with www.pavilion.attheparkbedford.co.uk creating your own rocks to hide. Happy Hunting! t 01234 351104 Moor Lane Skatepark e [email protected] Officially opened in 2016, the Moor Lane Skatepark in Jubilee Park was funded by a grant from Big Local and the support of local residents and skaters. This month, the team from Rollback World (Church Arcade, Bedford) will be running skatedboard lessons for children from 5+. Sessions run from 2nd - 6th April, but check out their Facebook page for fothcoming events at May half term and during the Summer Holidays. PavilionatthePark rollbackworld.com / Moor Lane Skatepark, Bedford MK42 9UR @BedfordPavilion 4 The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 attheparkbedford HOMETOWN TOURIST Ice Cream at the Park Something for all the family

Open 9am-6pm every day for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Tea.

Visit us online at www.pavilion.attheparkbedford.co.uk t 01234 351104 e [email protected] PavilionatthePark @BedfordPavilion attheparkbedford Bedford Climate Change Forum Wednesday 11th April

As Spring comes around, To find out more, see the website: bedsclimatechange. Bedfordshire Climate wordpress.com, the Bedfordshire Climate Change Forum Change Forum is putting the Facebook page or follow them on Twitter: @bedsccf focus on bees with an evening of short films and a presentation by a St Cuthbert’s Arcade to Bedfordshire beekeeper who is a long-time launch this summer campaigner for The Bedford Clanger can exclusively reveal that the environmental sustainability newly renovated building at 26 St Cuthbert’s Street and action on climate will open for business in early summer as St Cuthbert’s change. It’s well-known that Arcade. The building has undergone a full renovation, bee populations globally are currently facing serious threats from a with a new roof and sympathetically restored frontage in multitude of causes - climate change, pesticides, habitat loss and keeping with its heritage location. Inside are 18 individual mites. The consequences of losing bees are important, not least shop units, ideal for small businesses and start-ups. because a critical number of crops rely on them for pollination. Trading from Monday to Saturday, there will also be an on-site café for customers and staff. With no set-up BCCF’s informal event, open to all, will take place at 7.30pm costs and with tenants required to give just one month’s on Wednesday April 11th. in the Gateway Building (Room G011) notice, taking a space at St Cuthbert’s Arcade is a great at the University of Bedfordshire’s Bedford campus on Polhill way for would-be retailers to test the market, or for small Avenue. Everyone with an interest in the environment and climate businesses to grow. If you are interested in taking a unit, change is very welcome, and there will be time for questions and visit stcuthbertsarcade.co.uk for more details and prices. exchange of ideas too.

6 The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 Bedford Climate Change Forum Bedford Park Concerts unveil their 2018 line-up…

Among the highlights of the On Sunday 5th August, none other than summer are the annual Bedford English soprano Lesley Garrett will be Park Concerts – with three days the soloist at Proms in the Park. Lesley of top-notch entertainment, now is known for her cross-over repertoire in their 23rd year. that stretches from Mozart to Meat This year’s concerts kick off Loaf via West End Musicals; reaching with soul legend Billy Ocean places that other opera stars can only on Friday 3rd August. Billy has dream of. A fantastic leading lady sold over 30 million records for Bedford’s 2018 Proms. With over in his lifetime and achieved 120 performers on stage this will extraordinary success as both be a magnificent performance as an artist and a songwriter. the guest soloists, a 70 piece choir and the Backed by his full band expect London Gala orchestra, conducted by Stephen Bell take to the hit after hit from ‘Love Really Hurts Without You’, ‘Caribbean stage for performances including Handel’s Zadok The Priest, Bizet’s Queen’ ‘Suddenly’, ‘When the Going gets Tough (the tough gets Habanera, Verdi’s Grand March (Aida) and Grieg’s In the Hall of the going)’as well as the now classic Get Outta My Dreams; Get Into Mountain King. My Car plus many, many more. Also on the bill is international The musical celebration will culminate with rousing favourites for soul singer Jaki Graham, ASWAD and Loose Ends ft Carl McIntosh. flag-waving and singing along, including Rule Britannia and Land of Completing the line-up is ‘The Christians’ whose version of the Hope & Glory, as thousands of lasers and fireworks light up the sky. Isley Brothers’ ‘Harvest For The World’, raised millions for Unicef. Earlybird tickets are available until midnight on 3rd April. Tickets: £35.00 / £20.00 Child (5-16yrs) Tickets and more information: VIP: £105.00 / £38.00 Child (5-16yrs) bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk/bedford-proms/ bedfordcreativearts.org.uk

Inspire future generations as a Trustee

We are led by a dedicated team of unpaid volunteers, known as Trustees, who form our board of directors, and are legally responsible for the Trust’s activities. We’re now looking for more people to join us as either as a Trustee or to sit on one of our committees, to help us inspire future generations. We’d love to hear from you if you have significant leadership experience in education, marketing, The Harpur Trust has been inspiring and health and social care, finance, investment, supporting people within Bedford Borough risk management, charities, estates, IT, Health for over 450 years. Over the past 10 years and Safety or HR. we’ve awarded over £11 million in grants To discover more, you’re invited to come and to community and educational projects, chat with our existing Trustees at an Information and educated thousands of people at our Evening on 2nd May 2018 at 6.00pm at The four schools. We’re also proud to sponsor Bedford Academy. To book your place, please the HEART Academies Trust. call Clare Keir on 01234 369533

Further details are available at www.harpurtrust.org.uk/about-us/newtrustees @TheHarpurTrust

6579 Clanger Magazine Advert (160x110) AW.indd 1 14/03/2018 09:47 The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 7 WHAT’S ON... APRIL 2018

Skeptics at the Pub: Why Online Dating Doesn’t Work

Thursday, April 19 at 7:30PM Should we resort to online dating in the pursuit of a happy relationship? Research would seem to suggest that online dating may not be the easy answer. Wacky Wheels is back! Dr Martin Gaff’s talk focuses on Saturday 21st April the reasons why we should be From 11am to 1pm, bring your decorated scooters, bikes and cautious in our online dating bikes along to the Kiosk in Russell Park for a day of family fun. pursuits. For example, people make The best-dressed wheels will win a prize and everyone can take bad decisions in online dating. part in the parade around the park and litter pick. There will also Furthermore, those we contact be face-painting and Sustrans’ spin art bike. are often not what they appear to be [You don’t say?! – Ed]. Kiosk at the Park, The Embankment, Bedford MK40 3SA Additionally, there is no evidence that the algorithms employed by dating sites and which purport to match us with a desirable partner actually work in reality. Shuttleworth Parkland Walk If all of that hasn’t put you off, the evening will conclude with Saturday 25th April some information on how to maximize your chances in an online Join Shuttleworth staff for a walk through time around the dating environment. Who knows, you might meet the partner of parkland of the Shuttleworth Estate. Learn about its historical your dreams among the fellow skeptics! features and uses as well as its modern day management and North End Social Club, 60 Roff Avenue, Bedford MK41 7TW preservation. Please note, this is a two hour walk for competent bedford.skepticsinthepub.org walkers. From 9.45am – 12.15pm. Shuttleworth, Old Warden Aerodrome, Nr Biggleswade SG18 9EP shuttleworth.org “I like Polam because it is like OUTSTANDING NURSERY INDOOR SWIMMING POOL a second home where I can be who I really am” – Year 4 pupil CREATIVE CURRICULUM

SPECIALIST MUSIC, Call 01234 261864 to book a LANGUAGES AND PE Private Tour or see www.polamschool.co.uk for Open Days Reception places available for 2018

Polam School is part of Telephone: 01234 261864 [email protected] the Cognita Schools Group www.cognitaschools.com 43-45 Lansdowne Road, Bedford MK40 2BU

8 The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 WHAT’S ON... DE/CODING THE APOCALYPSE Witness England’s most legendary battle at Wrest Park’s Thursday 8th March – 1st July 2018 epic St George’s Day Festival The Panacea Museum, Bedford, UK De/coding the Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd April Pomp, pageantry and plenty Apocalypse is an of patriotic flag waving will exhibition by the visual be the order of the day as artist Michael Takeo English Heritage’s famous St Magruder that explores George’s Festival returns to contemporary creative Wrest Park this April. visions inspired by and based upon the Book of Across the weekend of Revelation. The exhibition Saturday 21 and Sunday consists of five new media 22 April, thousands of installations that are visitors and 275 historical constructed using a range re-enactors and performers of digital technologies spanning 2000 years and physical materials associated with traditional art forms. This of history will come together to celebrate England’s patron blending of new and old updates and expands the concepts and saint. Between them they will relive the battle which secured contexts that have surrounded the Book throughout its history. his legendary status – the ultimate showdown when gallant St George, resplendent in shining armour and astride his noble steed, The word ‘apocalypse’ originally indicated an ‘unveiling’, and the takes on his arch nemesis, the fire-breathing dragon. Book itself not only documents the destruction of the current world, but also maps out the creation of a new, better one. By aligning For the first time ever there will even be a Royal visitor to the St contemporary art and theological study, the exhibition at the George’s Day Festival; visitors best get practising their bows and Panacea Museum investigates our enduring fascination with this curtseys for the brand new Audience with Queen Victoria sessions, ancient text and provides new ways for modern audiences to reflect when they’ll get to meet famous monarch and find out more about upon the notion of apocalypse. her fascinating life. Associated Events: With a packed programme offering much more than ever before this year, a special weekend ticket and online booking discounts, there This exhibition is the leading component of Apocalypse in Art: The are plenty of ways to get a historical fix and have a fun day out. For Creative Unveiling, a major international conference at the Panacea more information, visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest. Museum in June 2018 organised as part of the Centre for the Critical Study of Apocalyptic and Millenarian Movements (CenSAMM) initiative. The conference will explore our relationship to art, its practice and In and Around Bedford study, and what it can unveil to us. This two-day event will include contributions by keynote speakers Dr. Natasha O’Hear, Dr. Michelle The latest issue of In and Around Bedford is now available to pick Fletcher, Prof. Aaron Rosen and Prof. Christopher Rowland, and De/ up from locations around Bedfordshire or to read online at their coding the Apocalypse artist Michael Takeo Magruder. new website inandaroundbedford.co.uk.

Funky Monkey Open Day IN & AROUND Established in 2011, Funky Monkey Tents have a passion for beautiful BEDFORD VISITOR structures and this is reflected in GUIDE their eclectic collection of unique 2018 tents to hire. These are definitely not your average marquees! On Monday 7th May, FM Tents’ Open Day will see their full range of yurts on display, alongside a collection of their equally unique and quirky suppliers. Located just a 10 minute drive from Bedford, they are directly opposite Scald End Farm Shop. Visitor Attractions • Food & Drink • Walks & Cycle Routes • Events 9-11 Mill Road, Thurleigh, Bedford, MK44 2DP For more information: 01234 772293 email [email protected] funkymonkeytents.co.uk

The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 9 THE CLANGER Theatre By Paula Walker THEATRE

The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s THE PLACE THEATRE

Friday 13 April at 7.30pm Thursday 5 April at 7.30pm Morgan & West present: Time Pub Corner Poets presents: Sad Travelling Magicians Little Man Tickets: £12.50 (£10.50 concessions) • Tickets £12 (Concessions £10) • Age Age guidance: 13+ guidance: 14+ Great Scott! Time-travelling magicians, The Place’s Mindscapes season about mental health continues with Morgan & West, bring a magical an autobiographical piece by Josh Overton. Exploring grief and our extravaganza to a millennium near you! immediate response to tragedy, Sad Little Man uses projection, Not content with their lot as the physical theatre, music and lyrical language to create a darkly nineteenth century’s greatest magic comic stand-up routine. duo, this prestidigitatory pair present a conjuring spectacular to the audiences of the modern day. No future is left unseen and no timeline left unaltered, as these temporal tricksters burst into the twenty-first century with a show brimming over with baffling magic, unparalleled precognitive powers, and a totally genuine ability to travel through time! An unforgettable evening of magic, mystery and the unexplainable. Tickets and further information at www.quarrytheatre.org.uk

NEXT PAGE PRODUCTIONS Friday 6 April at 6.30pm FUNNY FACES Zoo Co presents: Giant 7TH APRIL / 7.30PM FULL £12 CON £10 / AGE 14+ Tickets: £12 (Family £36 Concessions £10) • Age guidance: 10+ This is a “DramasInPyjamas” event: attend the theatre in your pyjamas or onesies, with free toothbrushes and paste for the kids, too! Discover CALAN exactly who or what is hiding in the attic with this outstanding family 18TH APRIL / 8PM show from Zoo Co. Expect all their usual trademarks of puppetry, FULL £14 CON £12 movement, clowning and music. Simply brilliant!

Saturday 7 April at 7.30pm EASTERN ANGLES Next Page Productions presents : GUESTHOUSE Funny Faces 9TH MAY / 7.30PM FULL £12 CON £10 / AGE 11+ Tickets: £12 (Concessions £10) • Age guidance: 14+ If you loved James Hurn’s ‘Hancock & Friends’ last month, then theplacebedford.org.uk/tickets you won’t want to miss this! Two one-actor plays that bring 01234 354321 comedy legends Sid James and Joan Sims back to life. Extremely funny, extremely poignant, with both characters reflecting on their lives…and on Barbara Windsor.

10 The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 The Place Clanger Apr2018.indd 1 16/03/2018 10:39 Monday 12th to Saturday 17th March at 7.30pm Theatrical Niche presents: A Dolls’ House Full £12 | £10 • Age guidance: 12+ Ibsen remains on the curriculum for many secondary school English and Drama students. Monday 9 April at 11am and 2pm Theatrical Niche have worked with some of the Melanie Gall presents: Jazz Cat UK’s leading mental health charities to develop this modern interpretation, using verbatim Tickets: £10 (Concession £8.50 / Family testimony and choreography to explore this £30) • Age guidance: 2+ tragic tale of a marriage in trouble in new and profound ways. Following last year’s popular children’s show, Melanie returns with her new show packed with jazz. Meet her delightful puppet cat, Tickets and further information available at www. Ella, who doesn’t know how to meow…she can only scat. Come theplacetheatre.org.uk and sing along to help Ella find her voice.

Wednesday 11 April at 7.30pm Dyad Productions presents: Jane Eyre Tickets: £12 ( Concession £10) • Age guidance: 14+ This adaptation of the classic novel receives a one-woman makeover. Bronte’s dark fairy-tale romance is intimate, sincere and sensual, and performer Rebecca Vaughan’s delivery will leave you gently unsettled.

Saturday 14 April at 7.30pm

Townsend Productions present: Saturday 21st April 7.30pm We Are The Lions, Mr Manager Clap Trap Productions present: Tickets: £10 (Concessions £8.50) • Age guidance: 14+ Blindfold The Place’s resident theatre company returns home after a Tickets: £12 (Concessions £10) • Age triumphant tour packed with sold-out shows and brilliant reviews. guidance: 12+ Discover the inspiring true story of Jayaben Desai, and how one A poignant ghost story set against the backdrop of the first World War, woman stood up to racism and exploitation to demand better rights where two friends struggle to contain the trauma of their experiences, for workers. Musical, funny and wonderful social history in all its especially when visions of a young man in a blindfold begin to reveal many beautiful colours. some long-buried truths.

To advertise contact Julia: [email protected] thebedfordclanger.com

TheBedfordClanger @bedfordclanger

The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 11 MUSIC by Lloyd Lugsden

BedPop Record Shop Bangers & mosh! The BedPop Record Shop opens its doors for the first time this year Esquires’ new club night, ‘Well Done’ is an eclectic mix of old and on Saturday 14th April, with a long-awaited event at Esquires, the new, indie, rock, hip hop and more every Saturday night. Rising from home of live music in Bedford. the ashes of the Pad, it’s just £3 with Instagram screenshot - hi tech Covering all genres, there will be over 30 tables of vinyl records to discount voucher or what?! browse and the BedPop Record Shop crew have hand-picked some great live music will fill the room with sets from the likes of Adrian Other highlights this month: Stranik of the Broadway Twisters and new local political noise band, Mill Race Social have a folken-mic evening on Saturday 14th April. Homegrown. In the bar, Roll Your Own Records will host the decks Bring an instrument and join in at Star Rowing Club, Commercial Rd, for a full day of vinyl DJ action. Bedford MK40 1QS. Esquires, 60A Bromham Rd, Bedford MK40 2QG See Facebook. com/bedpoprecordshop for full listings and regular updates. Shonen Knife: Cult Japanese garage band, endorsed by Kurt Cobain, Saturday 14th, Esquires

Jesus Jones: international bright young things bringing 90s Electronic Indie Saturday 21st, Esquires

Sleeper: Britpop pioneers, this is now sold out, Friday 6th, Esquires

12 The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 MUSIC by Lloyd Lugsden Clanger interview: Anna and Elizabeth Anna and Elizabeth are a folk duo from Southwest Virginia. Widely loved for their moving minimalist arrangements and beautiful harmonies, they present old songs and stories to modern audiences.

On the 5th of May they will play at a very special concert organised by Mill Race Folk at the historic Moot Hall in Elstow. Jack Sharp was lucky enough to chat to them about music, touring and clangers, and ask what the heck a crankie is…

Bedford Clanger: Firstly, how would you describe your music to those who have never heard you before?

Anna & Elizabeth: We play old songs that we learned in archives, BC: What is a crankie? Will you be bringing any? from Appalachia and New England. Usually the song comes to us in the form of one unaccompanied voice; so we then have the task A&E: A crankie is an illustration on a long scroll, which is put in a of figuring out how to share that song with an audience. box and cranked to make it move. We’ve been making them as long as we’ve been working together, so about 7 years. Some are BC: So how did you get into singing and playing traditional songs? sewn and some are paper cutouts or painted. A&E: We came to this music through different paths; I grew up with BC: Lastly, have you ever heard of a Bedfordshire Clanger? it in Southwestern Virginia. Anna fell in love with old-time music in college and moved to Appalachia for several years. What drew us A&E: Not before reading this -- but after a quick google search I together in this music was a focus on storytelling. look forward to eating one!

BC: Elstow Moot Hall is a 15th Century timber framed market 7.30pm, Saturday 5th May at Moot Hall Museum, Church End, hall. You’ve played in some pretty amazing places. Are there Elstow, MK42 9XT any that stick out as being particularly special or memorable? For more information: facebook.com/millracefolk/ A&E: We love playing in historic places, and also in places that For tickets: eventbrite.com don’t usually have performances in them. Later this summer we get to perform inside a remarkable circular barn at a Shaker village in Massachusetts.

BC: You’ve got a new album out on March 30th, what can you tell us about it?

A&E: For the songs on the new record, we researched in archives in the places where we grew up. The New England songs have had a big impact on the feel of this record; in contrast to our previous 2 albums which were mostly Appalachian material, this album has the ocean, sailors, and sailing as a major theme. image: Neil McCarty

Saturday 7 April 2018 Philharmonia Orchestra: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 7.30pm at Bedford Corn Exchange, St Pauls Square Michael Collins conductor Timothy Walden cello BRAHMS St Anthony Variations (Variations on a theme of Haydn) BIRCHALL Labyrinth for Cello and Orchestra TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No.4 Tickets from £14 / Philharmonia Orchestra Box Office : 0800 652 6717 / philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1858/bedford

The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 13 Food & Drink

#Rose til Close Last month, the Grade II listed Rose pub on Bedford High Street unveiled it’s £375k refurbishment. The pub garden now boasts seven beach huts with their own lights and heating plus an outdoor pool table. “We have all new furniture inside and out, fresh paint everywhere, new toilets and new HD TVs,” said General Manager, Adriano Iori. “We also have a new menu, fresh cocktails, new coffee machine and a huge range of new products including craft beer on tap and premium spirits.” The pub is now open from 10am for breakfast and has extended opening until 2.30am on Friday and Saturday. The Rose, 45 High St, Bedford MK40 1RY

Charles Wells submits planning application for new brewery Family brewer Charles Wells has submitted a planning application for a brand-new brewery and visitor centre that will lay the foundation for the future of Charles Wells as a brewing family and pub company. The planning application for land at Fairhill, off the A6 in Bedford, details a £13million site that will include a new 30,000 hectolitre brewery, a Visitor Centre for brewery tours plus an on-site pub and a venue for music, events and functions. This location will give Charles Wells access to major roads in and out of Bedford, allowing the brewery to fully support its leased and tenanted estate and growing managed house estates in England and France. The location is also above the Bedford Oolite aquifer, which was famously tapped by brewery founder Charles Wells. The company have been using water from that well in the production of their beers since 1902. We look forward to seeing the new brewery take shape. www.charleswells.co.uk

Bears & Tales – it’s open! image: Neil McCarty After what feels like months of anticipation, Bears and Tales is now open in its new home on St Cuthbert’s Street. Nestled next to Vanilla Tree, the new venue has 60 covers and guests can relax on velvet covered chairs while sipping the cocktails created by bar supremo, Tom Faden. Full report to follow soon! Bears & Tales, 31 St Cuthbert’s Street, Bedford, MK40 3JG

14 The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 Best of Bedford: Ian Williams is the Run Director of Bedford Parkrun and owner of Fetcheveryone.com

parkrun is a free, timed 5km run that takes place every single Saturday of the year at 9am in thousands of locations throughout the world. Simply register your details at parkrun.org.uk/bedford/, print out your barcode and turn up. Bedford now boasts two parkruns, one in Bedford Park and a new event in Great Denham. A 2km Junior parkrun takes place in Jubilee Park every Sunday at 9am. Fetcheveryone.com is a growing community of over 90,000 runners, cyclists, and swimmers. Fetcheveryone offers a completely free training log plus analysis tools to help you find races and fellow runners near you, get advice, play games, share blogs, measure routes - and much more!

Name: Ian Williams Occupation: Owner, Fetcheveryone.com Born here or blow in? Born in Wales, arrived like a leaf in a hurricane. Best thing about Bedford? The proximity to town and lots of lovely countryside to run through. Best place to get a coffee or cuppa? The Friends of The Kiosk at Russell Park. Hi Emma! Best breakfast? HThe Higgins Come and join Chorizo hash at The Embankment. BEDFORD The one place you’d recommend to visitors? The Friends of The Bedford park, for parkrun, and to hang out on benches drinking cider, obviously. The Higgins Bedford Ever read John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress? Nope. Bedford’s best boozer? The Devonshire Arms, especially quiz night with our neighbours. Best Bedfordian? Membership entitles you to: Reduced entry prices for charging exhibitions Undoubtedly Kate Barnard, the best physio in the whole Private view invitations of Bedfordshire. Hi Katie! Exceptional annual programme of lectures Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? Newsletter Discounts in The Higgins Bedford shop and in select local Not knowingly, but anything that looks remotely like a pasty or a pie stands a very good chance of ending up restaurants* in my mouth at some point. www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/join_in Three words that sum up Bedford:

Erubescent, Ylem, Blatherskite [We’ll take your word for *subject to terms and conditions Image ©Edward Bawden (1903 - 1989) detail from Fortnum & Mason's 1956 Christmas Catalogue it! – Ed] Registered Charity No 802508

The Bedford Clanger • April 2018 15