CONTENTS
BIFF | 4
Bedford Independent Film Festival
BEDFORD FLEA | 5
Bedford’s Community Clean-up
WHAT’S ON | 6-8
Diaries at the ready
Introduction
Welcome to the April issue of the Bedford Clanger, which this month features the Bedford Independent Film Festival, the annual charity Dr Who Con, the return of the Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce market and the best of the Borough’s live music, theatre and Easter events.
Our Great Bedfordian is Bedford Radio’s Rebecca Steers, so head to page 15 to find out their favourite things about the Borough.
THEATRE | 9
Finally, as it’s Easter - and in keeping with the film festival theme - we’ve hidden a film reference ‘easter egg’ on the front cover. A special thanks to Oliver in Ruby class at Edith Cavell Primary School, who gave us the suggestion.
Happy Easter!
Team Clanger
Even more events are included in our weekly What’s On Guide, published every Wednesday on our website at bedfordindependent.co.uk
MEET THE TEAM
Editor: Erica Roffe / clanger@bedfordindependent.co.uk
Commercial Director: Julia Course / julia@bedfordindependent.co.uk
Design: Ben Graham / ben@twenty-sixstudios.co.uk
Food & Drink: Paul Hutchinson
Theatre: Paula Walker
Website: bedfordindependent.co.uk
Corrections/Complaints: clanger@bedfordindependent.co.uk
The Bedford Clanger is published by Progress Publishing
The best of this month’s theatre
Bedford Who Charity Con Karak Chai
Bring the noise
Chance to WIN £50!
Rebecca Steers
Erica Roffe, Julia Course & Paul Hutchinson (Image: Two-D Photography)
BIFF 2026
Bedford Independent Film Festival is back
After its inaugural event in 2025, the Bedford Independent Film Festival (BIFF) is back for 2026, celebrating the best of independent cinema.
Once again, the Quarry Theatre will host a weekend of cinematic joy from Friday, 10 - Sunday, 12 April, with a programme designed to delight filmmakers, cast, crew and enthusiasts alike.
Over the course of three days, the festival will feature a variety of independent feature films and a wide selection of shorts across an array of genres, showcasing work by new and established filmmakers from around the world. Expect thought-provoking talks from industry professionals, as well as special networking events. Whether you’re a filmmaker seeking inspiration, a film lover looking for your next favourite, or just curious about the world of indie cinema, there’s something here for you. You can check out the full selection on their website: bedfordindependentfilmfestival.co.uk/programme-2026
FRIDAY:
The weekend kicks off on Friday night with the opening ceremony hosted by Bedford Radio and all about Bedford. Doors open from 6pm with a welcome drink and networking. Screenings begin at 8pm to celebrate some of the Best of Bedford: short films, with a few words from the filmmakers.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY:
Throughout the weekend, UK and International films will be screened in the Theatre and Studio, and there is something for
everyone. Over 200 films have been submitted for the festival, with everything from animations, horror, sci-fi, drama, comedy, documentary, thriller, ‘championing Bedford’, student films, weird and wonderful, life, love, identity and more.
There will also be talks from industry professionals, plus plenty of networking opportunities and Q&A sessions.
The festival awards ceremony takes place on Sunday, with 26 gongs, including ‘The Best of Bedford’. It’s an opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the art of filmmaking and the filmmakers who work tirelessly to bring their visions to life.
“BIFF is about connection, creativity, talent and truth,” said organiser, Leah Perkins. “The response to our first festival, and the excitement building for this year, shows just how powerful film can be in bringing people together and shaping a creative community here in our hometown of Bedford.
“As filmmakers ourselves, it’s incredibly rewarding to watch that community come to life.’
Ticket information
Day passes and weekend passes are available, with tickets granting access to all screenings, talks, and events for that day. Get your tickets now from bedfordindependentfilmfestival.co.uk/ or filmfreeway.com/BedfordIndependentFilmFestival
I have so many egg puns, it’s not even bunny.
A selection of the films submitted to BIFF
BEDFORD FLEA
The return of Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce Market
Sunday, 12 April @ 10am - 3pm
Harpur Square
One of our favourite events, the Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce Market, is back with its first market of 2026, and we can’t wait. The usual eclectic mix of traders can be found at their new location on Harpur Square, with live music sponsored by The Cellar Bar and and array of delicious street food to keep your strength up. Expect a mix of antiques and vintage, talented artists, and locally produced food, drink, skincare and homewares.
Organiser, Laura Holmes, told the Bedford Clanger about the change of scene. “We had such positive comments after our temporary move to Harpur Square last year, due to the works around St Paul’s Square, that it was hard to ignore. People loved the location, and many traders loved the space - it was clear I’d have a tough decision to make for 2026. It was an extremely difficult choice, as I’m a St Paul’s girl at heart, but I had to go with the majority.
“The Harpur Square location is even more central, encouraging visitors to visit other town centre shops and facilities, like the library. It also allows people who haven’t heard about us to discover our market as they go about their Sunday errands in town.” bedfordflea.wixsite.com/market
31 March, 1,2,7,8 & 9 April
Enjoy awesome animal encounters and learn skills to become an Archaeology Detective. Create your own character badges from clay, make a mosaic mandala from felt plus lots more.
To find out more and book your place, visit www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk , call the Box Office on 01234 718044 or scan the QR code
Image: Bedford Flea
Image: Bedford Flea
WHAT’S ON
Guided walks
The Bedford Tour Guides’ winter hiatus is nearly over, and the new season of guided walks will launch in mid-April, giving Bedfordians and visitors a chance to explore the rich tapestry of Bedford’s history. Each walk is led by a qualified guide and offers residents and visitors alike the opportunity to learn more about the places and people who have helped shape our town. A full list of the 2026 walks can be found on their website, including The Life and Times of John Bunyan, Bedford in WWII and The Jewel in the Crown - an exploration of Bedford’s beautiful embankment along the River Great Ouse. bedfordtourguides.org
Easter holiday activities at the Higgins Bedford
During the first week of April, the Higgins Bedford is hosting a wealth of family-friendly workshops, including clay badgemaking, achaeology and felt-making. Book at the Higgins website. higginsbedford.org.uk
Easter Bunny at Shuttleworth
Saturday, 4 and Sunday, 5 April
The Easter Bunny will once again arrive by aircraft at Shuttleworth for a fun-filled family event, complete with face painting, garden games, soft play, and magic shows this month. After watching the spectacular arrival in one of Shuttleworth’s historic aircraft, children will have the chance to have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny and receive a sweet treat. Vintage bus rides will run to Shuttleworth House and the Collection hangars will be open to explore. shuttleworth.org
Exhibition: For the Love of Books
Tuesday, 7 - Saturday, 18 April
The Basement @ Bunyan, Mill Street
2026 is the tenth anniversary of The Basement at Bunyan Community Art Gallery, a space that is not only a gallery, but also a space to celebrate books. As a birthday treat, the venue will host an exhibition of books, book illustrations and artwork using books. On Saturday, 11 April, there will be storytelling and a book signing by David Litchfield and Julia Jarman. There will be ‘drop-in’ craft activities throughout the exhibition. bunyanmeeting.co.uk/basement-at-bunyan
Image: Bedford Borough Council
Image: Shuttleworth
Image: The Basement @ Bunyan
Image: Higgins Bedford
Art and culture: Bedford Art Society Meeting
Friday, 10 April
Putnoe Heights Church, MK41 8EB @ 7.30pm
David Johnson will be demonstrating how to paint forest light in acrylics. More information can be found on their website. bedsartsociety.co.uk
Books: Ruth Hogan presents The Light a Candle Society
Saturday, 18 April
The Panacea Museum @ 2.30pm / Tickets: £5
Bedford-based author, RuthHogan will be giving a talk on her latest book The Light a Candle Society at the Panacea Museum. Ruth will also be discussing her strong connection and deep love for the Foster Hill Road Cemetery, a place where many Panacea Society Members are buried, including the founder Mabel ‘Octavia’ Barltrop. There will be plenty of time for audience questions after the talk, along with a chance to meet the author and buy copies of the book. panaceamuseum.org
Family fun: Easter activities
Thursday, 2 and Thursday, 9 April @ 11am - 3pm
John Bunyan Museum | £2 per child / no booking required
Spring has sprung with the return of the John Bunyan Museum’s Crafty Thursday activities this Easter. Create bouncy spring-bunnies, pop-up cards, pictures and Easter decorations. Suitable for ages 4+. Fancy a challenge? Explore the museum and take part in the free Easter Egg quiz. Complete the trail and find the answer to win a mini chocolate egg. bunyanmeeting.co.uk/
Image: Ruth Hogan
Exhibition: Dead Pub Signs of Bedfordshire Reimagined
Saturday, 11 April - Saturday, 9 May
The Burnaby Arms, Stanley Street / Free entry
Head to the Burnaby Arms this month for an exhibition of reimagined signs of long-lost pubs created by local artists. Reminisce about Bedfordshire’s lost pubs over a drink - and you can pick up copies of Lloyd Lugsden’s Dead Pubs of Bedfordshire series while you’re there. Cheers!
On the river: Family EyeSpy Cruises
Monday, 6 April @ 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm
Mill Meadows landing stage / Tickets: £10/£7.13
Keep the kids entertained during the school holidays with the John Bunyan Boat’s Family EyeSpy cruises. Relax and cruise through Bedford’s countryside and enjoy the wildlife on the Great River Ouse. See how many birds you can spot… bmkwaterway.org/johnbunyanboat
Image: John Bunyan Community Boat
Image: Lloyd Lugsden
THEATRE
Pantaloons present: The (Almost) Complete History of Britain
Friday, 3 April
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £18/£16
Join the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company on a breathless race through the centuries in this delightfully inventive show that tells the entire story of Britain in under two hours.Have you ever wanted to see the life of Henry VIII told as a romantic comedy or the tale of the Spanish Armada reimagined as a light operetta? Probably not. But that won’t stop The Pantaloons from retelling great moments from the country’s past in a variety of surprising genres. Featuring live music, audience interaction and wild historical inaccuracy. theplacebedford.org.uk/
Nurse Dessy
Thursday, 9 April
The Place Theatre @ 11am / Free
Follow the beloved Nurse Dessie as she brings history to life, sharing the inspiring legacy of Mary Seacole and real-life stories from the Windrush generation. Designed for children and young
people, this show fosters empathy, resilience, and cultural pride through creative sessions full of learning and fun. Children’s snacks and activity packs included! theplacebedford.org.uk/
Avenue Q
Wednesday, 15 - Saturday, 18 April
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm & Saturday matinee @ 2.30pm / Tickets: £22
Avenue Q is a laugh-out-loud, Tony Award-winning musical that is full of heart, with gut-busting humour and a delightfully catchy score, not to mention puppets. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children’s show; a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, life lessons are learned and the message that everything in life is only for now. Due to adult themes, Avenue Q is recommended for ages 13+. theplacebedford.org.uk/
Castle Comedy’s 14th birthday show
Thursday, 16 April
The Quarry Theatre @ 7pm / Tickets: £20
Join Paul Revill for Castle Comedy’s 14th birthday show with headliner Milton Jones and Sean Heydon, as seen on Britain’s Got Talent. quarrytheatre.org.uk
General Medical Emergency Ward 10
Sunday, 19 April
The Quarry Theatre @ 5pm / Tickets: £16/£15
Every hospital, medical-based, Doctors-and-Nurses clicheridden drama onstage in a comedy mash-up spoof that’ll have you in stitches. It’s Dr Ann Fleming’s first day at St David’s, where her unfortunately-named mentor Dr Death, is determined to show her who’s boss. As medical emergencies overload the hapless staff, Dr Fleming has to juggle a complicated budding love affair, with a kidney, and a nosey hospital boss. Not literally. quarrytheatre.org.uk
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
Thursday, 30 April - Friday, 1 May
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £26.50/£25
Mark Simmons: Jest to Impress
Thursday, 23 April
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £16.50
Due to popular demand, the winner of Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe 2024 has added an extra Bedford date, so don’t miss out! As seen on Mock The Week, BT Sport and ITV, ‘Master of one-liners’ Mark Simmons is back on tour in 2026 with Jest To Impress, a brand new show packed with even more expertly crafted one-liners, alongside his trademark off-the-cuff jokes based on random audience suggestions. quarrytheatre.org.uk
MC Hammersmith: Hippity Hoppity Get Off My Property
Saturday, 25 April
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £17.50
Viral sensation MC Hammersmith is the world’s leading freestyle rapper to emerge from the ghetto of middle-class West London. He presents an hour of improvised comedy raps based on your suggestions. You’ll leave astounded at the speed of his brain, the spontaneity of his punchlines, and the stability of his upbringing. Jaw-dropping, hilarious, utterly unbelievable. quarrytheatre.org.uk
The worldwide comic phenomenon returns with this updated and reinvented rollercoaster ride through all 37 of the Bard’s plays. Grab your tickets now for a wild and irreverent show that leaves its audiences breathless with laughter. After nine years in London’s West End, two TV specials, and performances
in over 20 countries, the Reduced Shakespeare Company are reinventing this classic comic masterpiece for a new generation of audiences. quarrytheatre.org.uk
You’re just some-bunny that I used to know.
LIVE MUSIC
Good Health Good Wealth
Saturday, 4 April
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm / £12
Good Health Good Wealth are an alternative singer-songwriter duo consisting of London vocalist, songwriter and producer Bruce Breakey and guitarist, producer and model Simon Kuzmickas. Inspired by visionaries such as N.E.R.D, Daft Punk and the personal storytelling of The Streets and Mac Miller, they cherry-pick elements from a broad range of genres whilst remaining unmistakably British in the process. bedfordesquires.co.uk
Cantamus Chamber Choir
Sunday, 12 April
St Peter de Merton Church, Bedford @ 3pm / Tickets: £10 on the door
Motets by J S Bach and works celebrating the 400th anniversary of John Dowland and the 450th anniversary of Thomas Weelkes. Conductor: Gary Mudd. Tickets in aid of church funds.
BCUC
Wednesday, 15 April
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £20
BCUC are making their debut at Bedford Esquires and it’s going to be a special one. BCUC, or Bantu Continua Uhuru
Consciousness hail from South Africa and are known for their high-energy blend of indigenous funk, hip-hop, punk-rock, and ancestral spiritual music. Formed in 2011, they are celebrated for “Afro-psychedelic” performances, focusing on social issues and modern African narratives. bedfordesquires.co.uk
Dave McCabe
Thursday, 16 April
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £22.50
The Zutons’ frontman Dave McCabe is embarking on a new chapter in his musical journey as a solo artist, bringing a stripped-back, intimate live show to towns and cities across the UK. He will be joined on the road by very special guest James Jay Lewis, a celebrated singer songwriter in his own right and a regular member of both Cast and The Zutons.
bedfordesquires.co.uk
PP Arnold
Saturday, 18 April
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm / £28
Few voices in British soul music carry the history, heart, and sheer emotional weight of P.P. Arnold. The legendary “First Lady of Immediate Records” brings that unmistakable voice to Bedford Esquires for a full band experience, connecting deeply with her audience as she sings many of her ‘classic’ recordings like The First Cut Is The Deepest, Angel Of The Morning and more. For long-time fans, it’s a chance to see a true icon up close. For newcomers, it’s an introduction to one of the most powerful and resilient voices in soul. For everyone, it’s a night of warmth, honesty, and timeless music. bedfordesquires.co.uk
Remedy presents: Colin Curtis
Saturday, 25 April
Dom Polski @ 6pm – 1am / Tickets: £15
The Remedy collective are back at Dom Polski, and this month they’re welcoming DJ Colin Curtis to the decks. Described as one of the most important black music tatesmakers in the UK, he is credited with introducing disco, funk, jazz funk and house music to the nation. remedycollective.net
Lady Maisery Thursday, 30 April
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £18/£16/£14
The combined vocal and multi-instrumental talents of Rowan Rheingans, Hazel Askew and Hannah James make up the uniquely captivating band Lady Maisery who have for well over a decade enraptured audiences throughout the UK and Europe. Individually three multi award-winning artists, Lady Maisery form a unified voice, carrying stories of sisterhood, human struggle, the joy of living and the vitality of song.
Our Bought in Bedford campaign is still running, with a £50 voucher to spend at a Bedford Borough independent business of your choice up for grabs.
Our most recent winner was Sarah, who bought this awesome bag from The Arc and took it to Cyprus last month for some much-needed sunshine.
To be in with a chance to win a £50 voucher, just follow these simple steps:
1. Make a purchase from one of Bedford Borough’s brilliant indies. This can be an item, food, a service (for instance, a haircut, beauty treatment), or a drink… dare we even suggest a coffee from one of our many fine coffee shops?
2. Take a photo of what you have purchased.
3. Share the photo publicly on an Instagram post using the hashtag #BoughtInBedford and tag @bedfordindependent and the business you bought it from.
If you don’t have an Instagram account or a public profile you can email win@bedfordindependent.co.uk the photo, including a description of what you bought, where you purchased it, and your name.
Happy shopping!
Bedford Resortwear Bag @ The Arc / Image: Sarah
KARAK CHAI
Karak Chaii: Big flavours to go on the High Street
Karak Chaii Bedford feels like the sort of place that knows exactly what it is doing.
Set on Bedford High Street, the café brings together Asian street-food influences with a high-street, grab-and-go feel that will be familiar to anyone used to popping into the likes of Greggs, but, as addicted as I am to a steak bake, the food here has much more personality.
With a menu centring on chai, Indian street food, and casual dining, my expectations were firmly established, but I certainly wasn’t prepared for the variety on offer, or the tastes I was about to experience.
What stood out straight away was the service. The staff is friendly, attentive and clearly know the menu well. Questions were answered properly, recommendations were offered with confidence, and there was a real sense that they cared both about the food they were serving and the people they were serving it to.
I went for the Butter Chicken Naan Melt with masala fries and a chaat, and it was one of those meals where you know early on you have ordered well. The food was fresh, full of flavour, and nicely judged in terms of spice, with enough heat to lift it without overwhelming the dish.
Portions were generous too, to the point that I ended up taking some home, which only added to the sense that this is very good value for money.
To drink, I tried the Limbu Pani, described as an Indian lemonade, and it was sharp, refreshing and, dare I say it, tastier than R White’s. Then there was the Karak Chai itself, strong, smooth and incredibly moreish.
While I opted to dine in, you can just as easily take away or order for delivery. If you do dine in, though, you’ll have full table service, and there’s plenty of space for groups of friends or families looking for a bite to eat on the go or heading somewhere else.
Bedford is a diverse place, and nothing celebrates that more than the vast array of world cuisines on our doorstep. Karak Chai complements this well, and it’s a smart addition to Bedford town centre. The food feels both familiar and a little different, with Western twists on indian cuisine, there really is something for everyone.
For a casual lunch, a quick bite, or a relaxed catch-up over chai, Karak Chaii is well worth a visit.
Karak Chai is at 23 High Street, Bedford MK40 1RY Open Tuesday-Sunday: 8am to 11pm
No booking required, find out more at karakchaii.co.uk or call 01234 47408. For delivery, order via Uber Eats.
HOMETOWN TOURIST
Look Who’s Coming to Bedford…
Two incarnations of the nation’s favourite Time Lord will be in Bedford this spring when they appear at the town’s annual charity Doctor Who convention, Bedford Who Charity Con.
This year, Bedford Who Charity Con 11 will welcome Colin Baker and Jo Martin on Saturday, 11 April. Colin played the Doctor in the 1980s, and Jo played the Doctor from 2020 to the present. They’ll be joined by a host of other celebrity guests, including Nicola Bryant (Peri), Terry Molloy (Davros), and David Banks (the leader of the Cybermen in the classic series).
There are around half a dozen annual Doctor Who conventions in the UK, and Bedford Who is generally rated as one of the best of all [of course! - Ed] . The convention has a strong reputation for being fun, friendly, relaxed, informal, and for having a great atmosphere.
Who Cares
Now in its second decade, Bedford Who has raised over £76,000 for local charities, and that tradition is continued this year. All the profits from this year’s event will go to SMART, who run a host of services for local women and men who are homeless. Last year’s Bedford Who raised more than £16,000 for the charity.
If you like Doctor Who, but you’ve never been to a convention before, we promise you’ll really enjoy it. The guests are always happy to take time to chat with the fans, and there’s no division between celebrities and audience. Simon Danes, Who Charity Con Organiser
“The day’s a mixture of on-stage events and breaks for members of the audience to get autographs and to have their photos taken with the actors. We can promise props and costume displays, too, both replicas and ones that were actually used in the series.
‘Oh, and Daleks. Lots of Daleks. Everywhere.’
This year’s event sponsors are William Rutter Motors, Price Wallace, Quality Cars of Bromham, Barton Petroleum, TXM Healthcare, LBS Business Services and George Hay Chartered Accountants.
Bedford Who Charity Con
Kings House, Ampthill Road @ 10am - 5.30pm / Tickets: £49/£20
For tickets, please go to the convention’s website at bedfordwhocharitycon.co.uk
Can anybody find me some-bunny to love?
Colin Baker (top) Jo Martin (bottom) / Image: Dr Who Charity Con
Image: Dr Who Convention
GREAT BEDFORDIAN
This month’s Great Bedfordian is Rebecca Steers, volunteer station manager at Bedford Radio
Rebecca is passionate about Bedford and giving a platform to people to share their stories about our favourite town.
You can tune in at their website bedford.radio
Over to you, Rebecca…
Occupation? Day job is running a local radio station (not in Bedford), but I’m a radio person through and through, so one of my passion projects is running Bedford Radio as the volunteer station manager.
Born here or blow in? Blew in, in the spring of 2018. I had friends in the town and had always been inspired by the vibe of Bedford, and its community and cultural activities.
Best breakfast in Bedford? Has to be bagels from Vanilla Tree. They’re great plain, or with something on, depending on my mood.
Best boozer? In town, I really like the Gordon Arms, a greatlooking pub with a fantastic atmosphere. I love their food (including pizza), and they serve Brewpoint beer; it’s certainly one to take visitors to, especially on a longer walk around town...
However, I live in the villages and absolutely love the Fox in Carlton. Not only do they have a great selection of beers on, but they also run their own beer festivals, put on live entertainment, and do a great Sunday lunch.
Best coffee or cuppa? It has to be the Green Earth Cafe While I’m not a vegan, I love the team there, and love proper loose tea (Earl Grey for me) in a teapot, with whatever milk alternative they want to recommend, normally alongside a nice bit of cake.
Best takeaway? Efe’s Grill in Clapham - best kebabs, burgers and lovely service if you’re in the rural north of Bedfordshire.
Best gig you’ve seen in Bedford? The Shires at the Corn Exchange. I love their music and a great “hometown” gig for a band that usually plays in much bigger spaces.
Ever read John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress? Nope, and never lied about it either.
Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? Yes, pretty sure I have, although not sure if it was a traditional filling or something unique. Pretty sure I’ve had them most recently at the Beer and Cider Festival
An off-the-beaten-track gem that everyone should know about? The Barn by The Bedford Cheese Company – a really lovely place to meet friends for a catch-up or chat, with lovely food and drink, although I have to try not to be too tempted by their many deli offerings.
Best Bedfordian? The illustrator Katie Allen. I absolutely love all she does, her creativity and art is inspirational
Three words that best sum up Bedford?
Image: Rebecca Steers
A Reuben bagel at Vanilla Tree / Image: Vanilla Tree
The Gordon Arms / Image: Wells & Co
