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.
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
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?
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.
Cheers!
Team Clanger
MEET THE TEAM
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.
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.”
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
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
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.
Image:
Country Days / Image: Bedford Borough Council
Image: Panacea Museum
The Higgins Bedford @ 11am - 4pm / Free
Saturday, 13 June
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.
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.
Bedfordshire Natural History Society (BNHS) will be hosting a nature table
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
Seed and Book Swap
Saturday, 13 June
John Bunyan Museum @ 10am - 2pm / Free
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 @ 11.30am3.30pm / Free
This is your chance to clear out any art and craft supplies you don’t want and swap for
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
Swap together for Good with QPCO
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
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
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.
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
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
Circus of Illustration and Castle Life Art present - Dragthemed life drawing session
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
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
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.
Image: Beds Urban Sketchers
Image: Anne-Marie Abbate
Image: Circus of Illustration
Image: Bedford Creative Arts
Image: Bedford Repair Cafe
Exhibition: Finding Joy
Tuesday, 16 June - Saturday, 20 June
The Basement at Bunyan, Mill Street, MK40 3EU @ 11am - 4pm / Free entry
Image: Basement at Bunyan
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
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)
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
Walk: Bedford Bridges walk
Thursday, 18 June
Priory Country Park, MK41 9RX @ 7pm
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
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
Creativity:
Printing at the Panacea
Saturday, 27 June
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd MK40 3NX @ 11am - 3pm / Free - Drop in
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.
North Beds Art Society lecture: Jewelleryfrom 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
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.
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.
To book tickets, visit the Shuttleworth website. shuttleworth.org
man sued an airline company after it lost his luggage. Sadly, he lost his case.
Image: North Beds Ramblers
Image: Anne-Marie Abbate
Image: Unsplash
Image: Bedford Creative Arts
Film Screenings: Popcorn at the ready!
NT Live screening: All My Sons
Wednesday, 4 June
The Quarry Theatre @ 7pm / Tickets: from £10
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
Chris Helme (The Seahorses)
Friday, 12 June
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £15
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
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
General Levy Saturday, 13 June
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm / Tickets: £20/£25
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
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
Saturday, 20 June
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm / £20
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
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
Feet + Human Interest
Saturday, 27 June
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm / Tickets: £17.50
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
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
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
Tuesday, 2 June - Saturday, 6 June
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: from £12
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.
Comedy: Ian Stone is “looking for the Wow”
Saturday, 6 June
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £20
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.
Poetry: Read Poets Society
Sunday. 7 June
The Eagle Bookshop @ 7pm / Tickets: Free but please book via the Place website
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
Theatre: The Full Monty
Tuesday, 16 June - Saturday, 20 June
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm plus Saturday matinee @ 2.30pm on Saturday / Tickets: from £16
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
All Images: Islam Bedford
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
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.
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
All Images: Kathy Brown
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
The June winner of a £50 voucher is Sarah, who shared this mouth-watering photo of her meal at Naughty Pizza on Riverside Square.
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:
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, with your name.
Full terms and conditions can be found at BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
Previous winners have shared their purchases from SAY Doughnuts, The Arc, Charisma, Close Encounters and Vanilla Tree.
Bedford Resortwear bag, The Arc Bagel, Vanilla Tree Sarah (June winner) – Naughty Pizza
