Bedford Clanger - June 2026

June 2026

B

BL

UE

TI

T

IN

BL

NU T

WO O D

H

W

G

O

LD

C

AG

TC

RE

N

BEDFORD big green week 2026

AC

H

KER

FI

PE C

N

M

E PI

HA

TH

B RO

S D O R I F

RU

SH

KB

IR

D

GREAT BIG GREEN WEEK | 4

Introduction

Eco warriors assemble

Welcome to the June issue of the Bedford Clanger, a celebration of Great Big Green Week (6 - 14 June) and a peon to Mother Nature.

WHAT’S ON | 6

Firstly, a huge thank you to local artist Mique Moriuchi for providing the artwork for our front cover this month. Her delicate collaged birds are created completely by hand, and we were thrilled when she agreed to let us use them. You can find more of her work on her Instagram page, @mique_moriuchi

Diaries at the ready

FILM | 9

On pages 4 and 5, find more details about events taking place as part of the Great Big Green Week throughout the borough. Everything is completely free, so why not give whittling a go at the Higgins, go to one of QPCO’s plant swaps or enjoy a nature-themed treasure hunt at one of the libraries?

Grab the popcorn

INDIE SPOTLIGHT | 10 The Store

LIVE MUSIC | 12

In keeping with our green theme, our Hometown Tourist destination is the fabulous Kathy Brown’s Garden in Stevington. This month, the garden will see an explosion of roses and is well worth a visit, and the perfect place to spot some of our feathered cover stars.

Have a great month and we’ll see you in July.

Bring the noise Cheers!

Team Clanger

THEATRE | 15 The best of this month’s theatre

EID FESTIVAL | 17

The Founders of Progress Publishing

Family-fun in Kempston

Erica Roffe, Julia Course & Paul Hutchinson

HOMETOWN TOURIST | 18 Kathy Brown’s Garden

| 19 Your chance to WIN £50

MEET THE TEAM Editor

Commercial Director

Design

clanger@bedfordindependent.co.uk

julia@bedfordindependent.co.uk

ben@twenty-sixstudios.co.uk

Photography

Theatre

Erica Roffe

Cameron Scrimgeour

Julia Course

Paula Walker

Ben Graham

Front Cover

Mique Moriuch

Website

bedfordindependent.co.uk

Complaints & Corrections: clanger@bedfordindependent.co.uk | The Bedford Clanger is published by Progress Publishing The Bedford Clanger / June 2026

3

Great Big Green Week in Bedford - loads of free events to connect with nature Saturday, 6 - Sunday, 14 June For the ninth year running, free events will take place across Bedford Borough as part of the Great Big Green Week, the UK’s biggest celebration of action on climate change and nature. The week brings together communities across the country to take part in practical, positive action and there are loads of free events in Bedford to get involved in.

Events at Bedfordshire Libraries Saturday, 6 - Sunday, 14 June Throughout Great Big Green Week, take part in nature-themed treasure hunts and Rhymetime sessions at all libraries in Bedford Borough.

Charity Plant Stall and BedsGOVET Sustainability Information Table Saturday, 6 June The Panacea Museum @ 11am - 4.30pm / Free

The week’s worth of events is the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button on how we treat the local environment, especially when global climate news can feel a bit overwhelming. It’s all about bringing sustainability back to our own doorsteps and about small, local actions that add up to a massive difference for our neighbourhood.

The best thing about Green Week is that it doesn’t actually end when the week is over, Queen’s Park Community Organisation

“A swapped seed grows into a plant that feeds our local bees for years to come, a learning session gives a neighbour the confidence to start their own allotment, and a donated shrub becomes a home for local birds.

“By joining in, you aren’t just visiting an event; you are helping to grow a greener, friendlier, and more resilient community for all of us.”

Country Days / Image: Bedford Borough Council

Image: Panacea Museum Panacea Museum volunteer, Valerie, grows, pots up, trims and waters this permanent plant stall in aid of Sue Ryder and Bedford Hospital’s Primrose Unit.

There will also be a Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust (BedsGOVET) information stall, outlining their monitoring of the River Great Ouse and exploring how river quality impacts biodiversity, the local economy, and community wellbeing. panaceamuseum.org

Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park Sunday, 7 June Bedford Park @ 10am - 7pm / Free

Image: Bedford Borough Council The ever-popular Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park returns, offering a free, accessible day of more than 20 yoga and wellness activities for all ages and abilities next to the Pavilion in Bedford Park. Now in its ninth year, activities include laughter yoga, Reiki, cacao ceremonies, breathwork, Qigong, sound baths, SEND, women’s and family sessions, all led by qualified local instructors, with British Sign Language interpretation available at selected sessions. For the full list of sessions, please visit bedford.gov.uk/yogaday To the guy who invented zero, thanks for nothing.

The Higgins Bedford @ 11am - 4pm / Free Saturday, 13 June

and volunteers from The Higgins will be running a plant stall with a beautiful array of indoor and outdoor plants for sale. thehigginsbedford.org.uk

something you do. It’s completely free, and even if you don’t have anything to swap, you can still take home something inspiring.

Come along for a good crafty rummage. panaceamuseum.org

Seed and Book Swap

Saturday, 13 June John Bunyan Museum @ 10am - 2pm / Free

Image: Bedford Borough Council As part of Great Big Green Week, visit the Higgins Bedford to learn new skills like whittling or wood carving, relax and unwind during Liz Burfield’s forest bathing and mindful doodling session, or explore nature on the smartphone discovery walk.

Good for the body and mind, the John Bunyan Museum is hosting a seed swap and book swap as part of its Great Big Green Week celebrations. There will also be children’s craft activities. bunyanmeeting.co.uk

Craft Stash Swap

Saturday, 13 June The Panacea Museum @ 11.30am 3.30pm / Free

Tuesday, 9 June: Khush Haal women’s group, Queen’s Park Community Centre MK40 4LF @ 10.30am - midday Wednesday, 10 June: Bhagwan Valmik Mandir Community Centre MK42 9JB @ 1pm - 5pm Saturday, 13 June: The Mount Zion Pentecostal Church, Midland Road MK40 1DW @ 10.30am - 12.30pm

For younger audiences, Nature’s Playground will be running snail-themed crafts, dressing-up, stories and sensory play for children aged three to eight, and there will be information stands from community group Country Days, seed planting with Zesti Foundation and more.

Image: Panacea Museum

Bedfordshire Natural History Society (BNHS) will be hosting a nature table

This is your chance to clear out any art and craft supplies you don’t want and swap for

FREE E VENT

Swap together for Good with QPCO

Pop along to the free drop-in sessions organised by the Queens Park Community Organisation as part of Great Big Green Week. Contribute to the community’s own circular economy by taking part in the plant and seed swaps - bring a plant, take a plant - plus there will be learning sessions to discover how to start your own ‘grow your own’ journey. Free entry and all are welcome, from beginners to green-fingered experts. qpco.org.uk

Saturday 13th June 2026 – 11am to 4pm

EDWARD BAWDEN

Connect with nature. Learn new skills.

Celebrate our environment.

SNAILS FOR ALL

For booking and more information visit www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk

2 3 R D M AY 2 0 2 6 – 13 T H J U N E 2 0 2 7

The Higgins Bedford Castle Lane, Bedford, MK40 3XD T: 01234 718618

HOME OF THE EDWARD BAWDEN ARCHIVE

THE HIGGINS ART GALLERY & MUSEUM, BEDFORD CASTLE LANE, BEDFORD, MK40 3XD T 01234 718618 E THEHIGGINS@BEDFORD.GOV.UK WWW.THEHIGGINSBEDFORD.ORG.UK Detail from Snails For All by Edward Bawden

The Bedford Clanger / June 2026

FREE EXHIBITION

5

Our pick of What’s On this June

Image: Beds Urban Sketchers

Image: Anne-Marie Abbate

Image: Circus of Illustration

Exhibition: Panacea - From and Inspired By

Art workshop: ‘Creative Joy in Nature’

Circus of Illustration and Castle Life Art present - Dragthemed life drawing session

From Saturday, 6 June Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd MK40 3NX @ Thurs - Sun 11am - 5pm / Free A special new exhibition, featuring work created by the ‘Beds Urban Sketchers’ group, inspired by the Panacea buildings and story. There will be a mix of paintings, drawings and some textile and sculpture works.

Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 June Bedford Eid Festival, Kempston @ 1pm 8pm (Sat) 10am - 6pm (Sun) / Free

Artist Anne-Marie Abbate will be at Bedford Eid Festival this month, running familyfriendly art workshops to create butterflies and dragonflies, using tissue, willow, beads and light-catching sparkles. Find out more about the festival on page 17. eidinbedford.co.uk

Bedford Repair Cafe

Saturday, 13 June Project 229, Kempston MK42 8DA @ 10am - 3pm (last walk-in @ 2.30pm) | Free / donations welcome / no booking required

Thursday, 11 June Basement at Bunyan, Mill Street, MK40 3EU @ 7.30pm | £15 / £10 available from Eventbrite Join the Circus of Illustration and Castle Life Art for a special drag-themed life drawing session starring the one and only Ginger Snaps. Expect stunning costumes, glam makeup and killer poses. circusofillustration.com

Art workshop: Riverside Birds

Saturday, 13 June Project 229, Kempston MK42 8DA @ 10am - 1pm / Free

Image: Bedford Creative Arts

As part of Bedford Creative Arts’ Nature Together in Kempston project, take part in this free, drop-in art workshop with artist Anne-Marie Abbate. Alongside the Repair Café, help create a flock of beautifully decorated birds in the ‘Riverside Birds‘ workshop. No booking required!

Bedford Flea, Affordable Art & Local Produce Market Sunday, 14 June Harpur Square @ 10am till 3pm / Free

Image: Bedford Repair Cafe

Turn up any time and queue for one free repair per household from the Repair Cafe’s team of friendly fixers. Repairs on small household electrical items, bike maintenance, sewing and textile repair, woodwork and mechanical repairs. bedfordrepaircafe.co.uk 6

The Flea fam is back on Harpur Square, with antiques, collectables, art, food, live music and more. Let’s manifest some sunshine, and we’ll see you there. bedfordflea.wixsite.com

Ladies, if he can’t appreciate your fruit jokes, you need to let that mango.

Exhibition: Finding Joy

Tuesday, 16 June - Saturday, 20 June The Basement at Bunyan, Mill Street, MK40 3EU @ 11am - 4pm / Free entry

theme. Despite the current doom and gloom of the world, the artists have found joy in unexpected places. Pop in for a pick-meup. On Saturday, 20 June, meet the artists between 11am and 4pm.

Refreshments provided. bunyanmeeting.co.uk/basement-events

Bedfordshire Humanists: The radical life of Thomas Paine with Paul Fitzgerald Thursday, 18 June The North End Club, Roff Avenue MK41 7TW @ 7.30pm / Free (donations appreciated)

Image: Basement at Bunyan

Thomas Paine was a major revolutionary thinker who turned abstract ideas about liberty, reason, and self-government into something ordinary people could understand and act on.

He helped drive the American Revolution, especially through Common Sense and later Rights of Man. Paul Fitzgerald is a cartoonist, graphic novelist, and prop builder based in Manchester. A humanist freethinker, he also serves as chair of the Peterloo Memorial Campaign. Paul will explore the radical life, ideas, and revolutionary impact of Thomas Paine, and discuss his forthcoming new title ‘Loose Cannons’, an entertaining historical romp through the lives of many freethinking humanist icons. bedford.humanist.org.uk

Local artists Shan Edwards, Norma Wall, Jackie Gooding and Joanna Clark have curated an exhibition around the idea of ‘finding joy’, inviting other artists to take part and respond to the

The Bedford Clanger / June 2026

7

Walk: Bedford Bridges walk

Creativity: Printing at the Panacea

Image: North Beds Ramblers

Image: Anne-Marie Abbate

An evening five-mile walk around the lake at Bedford Priory County Park and then over the many bridges that cross the River Great Ouse. ramblers.org.uk

Join local artist Anne-Marie Abbate to make art on the Panacea Museum’s antique printing press. This month’s theme is lino printing, so pop in anytime during the session to make your very own artwork. Suitable for ages 6- 96.

Thursday, 18 June Priory Country Park, MK41 9RX @ 7pm

Saturday, 27 June Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd MK40 3NX @ 11am - 3pm / Free - Drop in

Open Day and Garden Party

Saturday, 27 June Rothsay Education Centre, Rothsay Gardens @ 11am - 2pm / Free entry

North Beds Art Society lecture: Jewellery from Downton to Gatsby by Andrew Prince Tuesday, 30 June The Addison Centre, Kempston @ 11am

Andrew made many of the jewels worn by the main characters in the acclaimed TV series Downton Abbey, inspiring him to compose a lecture based on the changing styles of the period 1890 to 1929. Downton to Gatsby explores an extraordinary era when great couturiers collaborated with the finest of craftsmen to produce creations of outstanding quality and glittering opulence. northbedsartssociety.org.uk

Poetry: Ouse Muse presents David Floyd Tuesday, 2 June The Eagle Bookshop, St Peter’s Street @ 8pm Image: Unsplash

The REC’s annual open day is the perfect excuse to explore the Centre, chat with tutors and dip into free taster sessions including Physics (but not the way you remember it); Criminal Psychology; Taiwan and Tai Chi. Stay for sausages from the BBQ, Pimms and fundraising stalls. recbedford.co.uk

Join guest poet David Floyd at this month’s Ouse Muse gathering.

David was born in London in 1980 and is a member of the Wild Thing Poetry collective and host of The Poetry Lounge’s limerick competition. His first full collection, A Night at the Snooker is out now from Hearing Eye. Followed by an open mic session. All welcome , so bring along your work.

Festival of Flight: Airships XR Pop-up Experience Saturday, 27 and Sunday, 28 June The Shuttleworth Collection, SG18 9DT @ 9am - 4pm / Adults: £48 / U18s free

Discover Bedford’s airship story in this pop-up experience that uses cutting-edge technology to allow you explore a multi-room immersive airship gallyer, step back in time with VR, access AI films and interact with 3D models through Augmented Reality.

This pop-up event is part of Shuttleworth’s Festival of Flight Air Show weekend.

Image: Bedford Creative Arts

8

To book tickets, visit the Shuttleworth website. shuttleworth.org A man sued an airline company after it lost his luggage. Sadly, he lost his case.

Film Screenings: Popcorn at the ready!

NT Live screening: All My Sons Wednesday, 4 June The Quarry Theatre @ 7pm / Tickets: from £10

Springsteen - Deliver Me From Nowhere

Thursday, 18 June Stevington Cinema Club Stevington Village Hall, MK43 7QT@ 6.45pm / Tickets: £6 Bruce Springsteen biopic with Jeremy Allen White in the titular role, focusing on the singer’s intense creative process to write his album, Nebraska. stevingtoncinemaclub.uk/tickets/

NT Live screening: Les Liaisons Dangereuse

Thursday, 25 June Stevington Cinema Club Stevington Village Hall, MK43 7QT@ 6.45pm / Tickets: £16

Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) feature in a five-star, triumphantly acclaimed new production of Arthur Miller’s classic play, from visionary director Ivo Van Hove (A View from the Bridge). quarrytheatre.org.uk

The Bedford Clanger / June 2026

BAFTA Award-winner Lesley Manville joins Aidan Turner in a striking new staging of the classic novel.

Marquise de Merteuil is a master in the art of survival. Alongside the magnetic Vicomte de Valmont, they

turn seduction into strategy and weaponise desire. But when their alliance collapses into rivalry, the battle between them threatens to destroy everyone in their path. stevingtoncinemaclub.uk/tickets/

NT Live screening: The Playboy of the Western World

Saturday 27 June, Sunday 28 June & Sunday 5 July The Quarry Theatre: @ 2pm / Tickets: £16 Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) joins Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) and Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls) in John Millington Synge’s riveting play of youth and self-discovery. quarrytheatre.org.uk

9

Indie Spotlight #06

The Store Rosanna Heasman St Cuthbert’s Arcade, St Cuthbert’s Street MK40 3JG shop.thestoreuk.co.uk OPENING HOURS: Monday: Closed / Tuesday - Friday: 9:30am - 6pm Saturday: 9am - 4.30pm / Sunday: 11am - 4.30pm

10

This month’s spotlight is on The Store, Bedford’s zero-waste shop on St Cuthbert’s Street. It was opened in 2019 by Rosanna Heasman, with the aim of reducing single-use packaging and household food waste.

From pantry staples to household cleaning products and shower items, they also sell homewares and gifts to help you live a more eco-friendly life.

What inspired you to open a business in Bedford?

Although only born and raised down the road in MK, Bedford became my hometown when I was 18. I felt I knew the community and wanted to help be a part of building it and growing it. I moved back from living in Oklahoma City to come and risk it all and see if it would work. Some people felt Bedford wasn’t the best town to launch a zero-waste style shop at the time, that maybe it wasn’t progressive or affluent enough, but we all proved that theory wrong.

The Bedford Clanger / June 2026

What’s the best thing about being part of the Bedford indies community?

It’s so supportive, and anytime you meet another indie business owner, you instantly seem to have that shared sense of understanding and respect for what each other is bringing. It makes it feel less competitive and more collaborative, which ultimately makes you feel less alone in a space which can feel lonely at times.

Which other Bedford indies do you always recommend to customers?

I get to recommend a lot of Bedford indies, as customers always ask for recommendations on things. From where to eat, drink, work out, shop, or ideas on things to do. I have a notice board in The Store which always shares some of my personal faves as well as places not too physically far from us, so we can send footfall to others.

This week I’ve recommended The Martial Method MMA Gym (where I actually train too) to someone new in Bedford, The Herd across the road from us for a family in town wanting brunch, and Chloe Alice Beauty in the Arcade for someone who needed birthday nails.

What’s your favourite product that The Store stocks?

And what’s the customer fave?

My favourite product is our chilli crisp oil. I can’t eat a meal without it. However, the customers’ favourite is probably our homemade sourdough that comes from our two bakers who make and deliver fresh to us each day.

The best business advice you’ve been given?

When the government announced the energy bill crisis in early 2022, and throughout the start of the war in Ukraine, we took a huge hit. Cost of food doubled, things became hard to source and then people started to withhold spending.

After a year of trying to fill every leak and hole and adapt to survive, my Grannie mentioned if I have any mentors to look over the problems with me. I then reached out to a lady who’d been a support since the start, Bridget, a very successful local businesswoman. We went for coffee, and I asked her for her advice and view on things. Just having someone further ahead than you advising your next steps was all the motivation and hope I needed to carry on.

Best advice was as simple as, who have you talked this through with that may be able to help you.

Photography: Cameron Scrimgeour

11

Bring the noise Aly Berry - a night of jazz

Thursday, 11 June The Cellar Bar, 75 High Street @ 7pm / Tickets: £10

Named as ‘one of the UK’s most exciting rising jazz artists’, Aly’s smooth, sultry vocals and distinctive style have begun to quickly captivate audiences, bringing a whole new sound to the music scene. Originally from the north of England, at 18 she moved to London to pursue careers in music and modelling. It wasn’t long before she found herself immersed in London’s Jazz scene and

crossed paths with Paul Higgs, an accomplished jazz composer and musician. What started as a creative partnership soon turned into a full-fledged musical project that culminated in the creation of Aly’s debut album, ‘Hope This Reaches You In Time’. Aly was recently nominated for Jazz/Blues artist of the year 2025 at the Jools Holland Boisdale Awards. seetickets.com

Chris Helme (The Seahorses)

General Levy

Chris Helme, the former frontman of The Seahorses, makes a very welcome return to Bedford as part of their singer-songwriter series for 2026. After a busy year touring his last album, World of my Own, Chris has been back in the studio to record stripped back versions of some of his 30-year back catalogue. Expect a night of music that’s raw, soulful, and just a little bit bruised. bedfordesquires.co.uk

The ‘incredible’ General Levy is best known for being the voice of one of the most famous Jungle anthems ever, 1994’s Incredible, which went to number 8 in the UK Charts. One of the most indemand and distinctive MCs on the planet, Levy has been tearing up events for the last three decades, bringing an unparalleled energy to his sets. bedfordesquires.co.uk

Friday, 12 June Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £15

12

Saturday, 13 June Bedford Esquires @ 8pm / Tickets: £20/£25

So what if I don’t know what apocalypse means? It’s not the end of the world!

Dance music: Zed Bias + Matt Jam Lamont

Feet + Human Interest

A midsummer celebration of bass with a stacked line up, ft Zed Bias AKA Maddslinky + Matt Jam Lamont (Tuff Jam) and more.

Zed Bias is a producer and DJ from deep within the UK dance music scene, setting the blueprint for the darker UK Garage sound at the end of the 90s, after his first Top 30 track with ‘Neighbourhood’. Matt Jam Lamont is another stalwart of UK Garage, a champion of the genre in its infancy and now one of its most beloved forefathers. One half of the legendary ‘Tuff Jam’, a remix team with a huge back catalogue of defining records. bedfordesquires.co.uk

Feet are back in Bedford and this time, it’s for a pre-England World Cup match warm-up show. Taking place at 5pm, this gig is the perfect double feature: guitars first, football second. Feet have received plenty of critical acclaim for their two albums and with a third on the way, this is not a show to miss! Part of Everywhere At Once powered by The National Lottery, this is one of over 1200 gigs across the UK, across one weekend, supporting grassroots venues! bedfordesquires.co.uk

Saturday, 20 June Bedford Esquires @ 8pm / £20

Saturday, 27 June Bedford Esquires @ 5pm / Tickets: £17.50

Classical music: Bedford Choral Society Summer concert: Mozart Requiem and Haydn Nelson Mass

Saturday, 20 June Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £20 / £17 / students £5 and one accompanying adult £5.

Includes a free programme

If you enjoy being enveloped in the rich sound of choral music, Bedford Choral Society’s June double-bill concert is not to be missed. Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s Nelson Mass (“for troubled times”) were written in the same decade, the 1790s, and yet are very different in style. Mozart’s Requiem is intense, emotional and familiar from films and advertising. Haydn’s Mass builds its drama 14

with dark orchestration and a jubilant finale. There is nothing quite like hearing these powerful and beautiful choral works sung live with over a hundred voices, accompanied by Bedford Sinfonia, with soloists Elizabeth Bottone, Judy Louie Brown, Rhydian Jenkins and Philip Tebb. wegottickets.com/BedfordChoralSociety What do you use to cut a Roman Emperor’s hair? Ceasers.

Take a look at the drama this June Community Theatre: Lovely Bones

Comedy: Ian Stone is “looking for the Wow”

Based on the 2002 novel of the same name, this is a haunting, yet beautiful exploration of grief, love and the power of memory. We follow the story of Susie Salmon, a young girl who is murdered and from her place “in between” heaven and earth, tries to help her friends and family find peace and justice. Get ready for an emotional ride and a play filled with beautiful performances.

Join the hugely successful broadcaster, podcaster, writer and comedian, Ian Stone ahead of his UK tour. As well as performing at major comedy festivals and venues globally, his popular posts and reels on social media have quickly earned him a following of over 60k.

Tuesday, 2 June - Saturday, 6 June The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: from £12

The Bedford Clanger / June 2026

Saturday, 6 June The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £20

15

Poetry: Read Poets Society

Theatre: The Full Monty

Join the Swan Poetry Society for their monthly reading of poems reflecting the season. This month’s theme is Conversations.

This monthly event takes place at The Eagle Bookshop in St Peter’s Street. theplacebedford.org.uk

Get ready for a night of laughter, heart, and unforgettable entertainment as RUFF Theatre brings Simon Beaufoy’s The Full Monty to the stage. Based on the smash-hit film, this hilarious and heartfelt play follows a group of out-of-work men who come up with a bold plan to make ends meet. With courage, camaraderie, and plenty of cheek, they discover much more than they bargained for, including self-belief, friendship, and the power of daring to bare all. theplacebedford.org.uk

Sunday. 7 June The Eagle Bookshop @ 7pm / Tickets: Free but please book via the Place website

Tuesday, 16 June - Saturday, 20 June The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm plus Saturday matinee @ 2.30pm on Saturday / Tickets: from £16

Community Theatre: Treasure Island

Tuesday, 23 June -Saturday, 27 June The Place Theatre @ 7pm plus Saturday matinee @ 2pm / Tickets: from £12

An action-packed, comedic, family-friendly ensemble performance of this much-loved classic. Our story begins in the Tavern, where we meet our hero, young J Hawkins. After a brawl, Jim becomes the owner of a map left to him by the scurrilous Billy Bones and determines to discover the treasure to secure

16

the future of the tavern. The crew of the good ship Hispaniola is made up of a mighty strange mix of sailors… including Barbeque, a one-legged man. Billy Bones told Jim to beware of the One-legged Man. Is Barbeque (and his parrot) as harmless as he seems? theplacebedford.org.uk

Getting the ability to fly would be so uplifting.

All Images: Islam Bedford

Eid Festival Friday, 6 - Saturday, 7 June Addison Howard Park @ 1pm - 8pm / Free

Since 2015, Bedford’s Muslim community has been celebrating Eid with a family-friendly and inclusive festival at Kempston’s Addison Howard Park.

Over the years, the event has become a much-loved summer tradition for families across the Borough, and this year, they are looking forward to welcoming more than 20,000 visitors for a celebration of culture, community and togetherness.

The Bedford Clanger / June 2026

What began as a small local gathering has grown into one of the largest Eid celebrations in the South East, attracting visitors from across the country, with some travelling from as far as Wales to be part of the celebrations. The organisers were the recent winners of the Pride in Bedford Borough category at the Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes Awards, thanks to the work they are doing to put Bedford on the map.

already know: this is a special place full of energy, ambition and diversity. We’re proud that this event continues to bring people together from all backgrounds to celebrate that.”

Everyone is welcome to attend and join in the celebrations.

Visit the Instagram page @eidinbedford or eidinbedford.co.uk for more information

At this month’s event, visitors can expect over 75 stalls, serving everything from handmade bakes, clothing and artisan honey to international street food from a variety of cultures and cuisines. Alongside the food and shopping, there will be funfair rides, family entertainment, free football coaching sessions, a FIFA tournament, raffle prizes, on-stage competitions, an activity zone and much more. It is free to attend and there is ample parking on site.

“Eid In Bedford is about more than just a festival, it’s about showcasing the spirit of Bedford itself,” said a spokesperson for Islam Bedford. “The fact that major organisations like Universal Studios have chosen Bedfordshire shows what we 17

Kathy Brown’s Garden Continuing our theme of nature, this month’s Hometown Tourist destination is the beautiful Kathy Brown’s Garden in the north Bedfordshire village of Stevington.

After settling in the village with their family 38 years ago, Kathy and her husband Simon began developing the gardens in 1993, although back then they never intended to open to the public. “We knew the garden had great possibilities, but it was never an ambition to welcome visitors here,” said Kathy. “But by the mid 1990s the children were growing up, we turned our attention to the garden and once we’d started we continued with gusto.”

In 1997 they took part in the Open Garden Scheme, which Kathy says gave them pride in what they’d created and an impetus to “keep striving forward”.

Inspired by naturalistic planting, rather than traditional herbaceous borders, Kathy sowed a quarter-of-an-acre wildflower meadow that has now been established for 26 years and is a haven for butterflies and wildlife.

All Images: Kathy Brown

Another area of the garden has been inspired by the 1946 Barbara Hepworth painting, Green Caves, which in turn was inspired by the Cornish coastline. “It’s a very relaxing part of the garden,” explained Kathy. “There’s dappled shade and the wind through the weeping birch trees sounds like a seascape.”

This month, the garden will feature an explosion of roses. “There are masses of

18

buds, so the display is going to be super,” predicts Kathy. Roses also feature in her delicious home-made cakes and visitors can buy her new recipe book, Kathy’s Cakes from the Garden for £10.

The garden is open most Tuesdays from April to September, plus they host special events throughout the season. On Sunday, 27 June, the garden is open in the evening for guests to bring their own picnics and

enjoy the late summer sunshine (weather gods permitting).

Kathy Brown’s Garden, The Manor House, Church Rd, Stevington, Bedford MK43 7QB tel: 01234 822064. Open: selected Tuesdays during April - September plus special events throughout the season. Visit the website for full details: kathybrownsgarden.com

Bought In Bedford: win £50!

It’s no secret that times are tough for small businesses, so it’s more important than ever that we show them our support.

By sharing photos of your locally bought purchases and tagging #BoughtInBedford on Instagram, not only will your support be shared for all to see, but you could also win a £50 voucher to spend in your favourite indie business

She emailed win@bedfordindependent. co.uk to say: “Please can I enter my picture from our visit to Naughty Pizza. We had a great visit, and my daughter loved the kids’ meal deal, which was great value. The staff were so attentive, and the decor is beautiful. We will definitely be back.”

Needless to say, Sarah asked for a voucher for Naughty Pizza, which is winging its way over to her.

To be in with a chance of winning £50 to spend at a Bedford Borough independent business of your choice, follow these simple steps:

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, with your name.

Full terms and conditions can be found at BedfordIndependent.co.uk.

The June winner of a £50 voucher is Sarah, who shared this mouth-watering photo of her meal at Naughty Pizza on Riverside Square.

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?

Previous winners have shared their purchases from SAY Doughnuts, The Arc, Charisma, Close Encounters and Vanilla Tree.

Sarah (June winner) – Naughty Pizza

Bagel, Vanilla Tree

Bedford Resortwear bag, The Arc

The Bedford Clanger / June 2026

19