DON’T PUSH IT ASIDE
Tackle it head on
This year we’re shedding a light on Men’s Health Awareness Month, reminding our readers to take a moment to check on their loved ones.
Traditional masculine behaviour is often shaped by social pressures and stigma; forcing them to appear strong, emotionless or in control, all which have contributed to poorer mental health in men.
Unfortunately, 12.5% of men in England have a mental health disorder1, three times more likely to die by Suicide in England than women2 and almost double the rate of men die from alcohol-specific causes than women3
Check in on your loved ones, let them know you’re here to listen and support them where needed.
If you are struggling, please don’t hesitate to contact the Samaritans help line on 116 123 and for immediate crisis or emergency call 999 or 111.
1NHS Digital, 2Samaritans (2023), 3Office for National Statistics (2022)
CONTENTS
NOEL CARRINGTON | 4
‘Nothing Need Be Ugly’ @ The Higgins
MADE BY HUMANS | 5
A call out for an upcoming exhibition by The Circus of Illustration
WHAT’S ON | 6
Diaries at the ready
FILM | 9
Grab the popcorn
Introduction
Thank you for picking up the November issue of the Bedford Clanger - your guide to the best of Bedford’s art, culture, live music, theatre, shopping, heritage and more.
This month, we’re shining a spotlight on the Higgins’ new exhibition about one of Bedford’s unsung heroes, Noel Carrington (page 4), plus you can find details of how to submit work for the next Circus of Illustration exhibition on page 5.
We are immensely proud to launch our new collaboration with photographer Cameron Scrimgeour this month. Pages 10 and 11 are dedicated to one
MEET THE TEAM
INDIE SPOTLIGHT | 10
Slides Record Shop
THEATRE | 12
The best of this month’s theatre
LIVE MUSIC | 14
Bring the noise
of Bedford’s best-loved indies, Slide Record Shop, featuring a photo spread by Cameron. This will be an ongoing project, creating an archive of images to highlight Bedford’s independent businesses.
As ever, we’re banging the #BoughtInBedford drum (page 16), so don’t forget to add the hashtag to any photos of your recent purchases so you could be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher, just in time for Christmas…
Have a great month and see you in December.
Team Clanger
Even more events are included in our weekly What’s On Guide, published every Wednesday on our website at bedfordindependent.co.uk
Editor: Erica Roffe / clanger@bedfordindependent.co.uk
Commercial Director: Julia Course / julia@bedfordindependent.co.uk
Design: Ben Graham / ben@twenty-sixstudios.co.uk
Front Cover: Paul Catherall / paulcatherall.com
Photography: Cameron Scrimgeour / cameronscrimgeour.com
Theatre: Paula Walker
Food & Drink: Paul Hutchinson / paul@bedfordindependent.co.uk
Website: bedfordindependent.co.uk
The Bedford Clanger is published by Progress Publishing
Dadaji’s Joshua Hawkins and the Jewel in the Crown
Louise Harris
Erica Roffe, Julia Course & Paul Hutchinson (Image: Two-D Photography)
NOEL CARRINGTON
Exhibition: Noel Carrington - Nothing Need Be Ugly
The Higgins Bedford from 15 November until June 2026 | Free entry
The founder of the much-loved Puffin Picture Books is the subject of the latest free exhibition at the Higgins Bedford, shining a spotlight on one of Bedford’s most influential yet often overlooked cultural figures, Noel Carrington.
The exhibition, titled Noel Carrington - Nothing Need be Ugly, opens on Saturday, 15 November 2025 and will run until the end of June 2026. Carrington (1895-1989) was a visionary book publisher, best known for brightening up the lives of Britain’s wartime - especially evacuee - children with the colourfully illustrated and much-loved Puffin Picture Books which launched in 1940. Visitors can explore all 120 published titles at the exhibition, alongside original artwork and other rarities.
Noel spent his early life in Bedford and both he and his sister, the artist Dora Carrington, went to local schools. He got his love of rowing and of the countryside from the town and surrounding area and although he never lived in the town again after leaving school, The Higgins and the Carrington family feel that Bedford is the place to remember both siblings’ amazing contribution to the arts.
Curated by writer and publisher Joe Pearson, founder of Design for Today, the exhibition also includes rare gems from Carrington’s extensive career.
The exhibition has been in the planning for over 10 years, when the Higgins’ keeper of fine arts, Victoria Partridge, first read Joe’s book about Noel Carrington in 2013. “I emailed him to say how much I loved the book and that it would make a great exhibition but it wasn’t until recently, when the Higgins got funding from the Arts Council, that we could finally make it happen,” said Victoria.
It showcases his influential work with Country Life and features notable British artists, including Edward Bawden, Eric Ravilious,
and Kathleen Hale. Also featured will be the work of Noel Carrington’s sister, Dora Carrington, whose artistic reputation was revived through Noel’s efforts in Bedford.
As a cat fan, it’s not hard to imagine which of the books has a special place in Victoria’s affections. “My favourites are Kathleen Hale’s books about Orlando the marmalade cat,” she told the Bedford Clanger. “He and his cat family are the stars of the exhibition poster, and I have snuck in as many images of him as I could.
“When I had my daughter I did buy a reprint of Orlando’s Home Life, which we both loved. The cat family are so loving and understanding of one another. Later, I read that Hale depicted them as a united family when she wrote the book during the Second World War, to give comfort to children who had lost parents or had been evacuated far away from their families.
“Noel Carrington may be a new name to many people, but once they see the exhibition and discover the significant role he played in publishing, they cannot help but feel proud of this brilliant Bedfordian,” said Victoria.
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane, MK40 3XD. Admission is free and open to all. You can find out more information at the Higgins website thehigginsbedford.org.uk
Why did Adele cross the road? To say hello from the other side.
Noel Carrington & his family / Image: The Higgins Bedford
Orlando’s Evening Out / Image: The Higgins Bedford
Trees in Britain by S.R Badmin / Image: The Higgins Bedford
MADE BY HUMANS
Artists’ collective, The Circus of Illustration, are looking for artists and illustrators to be part of their exciting new exhibition at the Foyer Gallery at Bedford School in January 2026.
The exhibition ‘Made by Humans’ is an antidote to homogenised AI art and will celebrate the human element at the heart of creation.
The exhibition is open to anyone over the age of 18, whether they are a professional artist, student or hobbyist. Creators are invited to submit one new piece of work especially for this exhibition, along with up to three existing artworks on the theme of art and illustrations being ‘Made By Humans’.
“The project is intended as a new and dynamic opportunity for local artists, designers and creatives to showcase their unique talent,” said artist and CoI committee member, Emily Ross. “We’re seeking submissions from people who understand and appreciate the vital human component in the act of creation, beyond an increasingly sterile landscape dominated by ‘AI-slop’. In such a world, every artistic impulse becomes an essential act of resistance, so we’re really excited to see what our patrons come up with.”
The Circus of Illustration is a group dedicated to promoting drawing and illustration in their home town. They run Drink and Draw social events on the last Tuesday of every month at The Park pub, aimed at fostering a community of creatives.
For information how to apply, visit circusofillustration.com/ madebyhumansopencall
Noel Carrington & his family / Image: The Higgins Bedford
WHAT’S ON
Talk: From the Physical to the Digital - The Resilience of Printmaking
Monday, 3 November @ 7.30pm
The Quarry Theatre / Free entry
Printmaking has been central to Paul Coldwell’s art practice for more than four decades. In this talk, Paul will explore the importance of printmaking as a means of spreading radical ideas and challenging attitudes, both within his own work and through artists such as Durer, Hokusai, Picasso, Morandi, Warhol and Banksy.
Exhibition: Stanny’s Stus: Images of Bedford
Physical Training College
Opens Thursday, 6 November
Sir William Harpur Gallery, The Higgins Bedford / Free Entry
In 1903, Margaret Stansfeld founded the Bedford Physical Training College, an all-female institution located on Lansdowne Road. Locally, its students and staff were affectionately known as ‘Stanny’s Stus.’ This photographic exhibition offers valuable insights into the social and sporting lives of women in the early 20th century, exhibited publicly for the first time outside of their home at the University of Bedfordshire.
Lunchtime Talk: In Her Own Words
Thursday, 6 November @ 1pm - 2pm
The Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd MK40 3NX / Free entry
Panacea Museum, Garden of Eden / Image:
Professor James Crossley from the University of Cambridge will be discussing the women writers of the Panacea Society, and delving into their reading. habits.panaceamuseum.org/events
Make your own candles with The Ampthill Alchemist
Thursday, 6 November @ 6pm - 9pm
The Arc, Howard Street (under Lurke St Car Park) / £49
Whether you’re crafting a thoughtful gift or simply embracing the season’s spirit, these workshops offer a joyful, hands-on experience with a touch of festive magic. You’ll leave with two bespoke candles, a new skill, and a lovely memory of time well spent.
Christmas Crafts: Wreath Making
Saturday, 8 November @ 11am - 1pm
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd MK40 3NX | £8/person
Join local artist Anne-Marie Abbate for Christmas wreath making, using foliage from the Museum Gardens. Limited to 10 people - please note everyone attending needs a ticket, and extra people who have not booked can’t be admitted on the day. Booking: tickettailor.com/events/panaceamuseum/1890809
Christmas Crafts: Lanterns drop-in
Saturday, 8 November @ 1pm - 2.30pm
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, Bedford MK40 3NX / Free drop-in event
Join local artist Anne-Marie Abbate to make festive lanterns.
Bedford Flea, Affordable Art & Local Produce Market
Sunday, 9 November St Paul’s Square, Bedford / 10am till 3pm
Bedford Flea is finally back in its spiritual home, just in time to kick off your Christmas shopping. Head to St Paul’s Square for the Flea combo of antiques, vintage and collectables, plus affordable art and some delicious local produce. Live music sponsored by The Cellar Bar.
Talk by Michael Hall: A Queer InheritanceAlternative Histories in the National Trust
Tuesday, 11 November 12.30pm
The Higgins Bedford / Free, booking essential Box Office on 01234 718044
Michael Hall, the former Architectural Editor of Country Life, will be talking about his new book ‘A Queer Inheritance - Alternative Histories in the National Trust’. National Trust houses and landscapes might seem to embody conventional family values, but for generations, some very different stories were hidden away. thehigginsbedford.org.uk
To the guy who invented zero, thanks for nothing.
Panacea Museum
Image: Bedford Flea
Teens: Writing For Wellbeing
Thursday, 13 November @ 10.30am - midday
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd MK40 3NX / Free entry
Led by local poet Katie O’Pray, the session will include writing prompts and inspiration from the Panacea Archives, including books and documents written by and belonging to the Members. Aimed at teenagers, and a 12+ audience. Limited to 12 people - please note everyone attending needs a ticket, and extra people who have not booked can’t be admitted on the day.
A celebration of Jane Austen
Saturday, 15 November @ 10am onwards
Rothsay Education Centre
This month, the Rothsay Education Centre is hosting an array of workshops celebrating history, literature, and creativity, with a special focus on Jane Austen. These workshops are open to all non-members to come and discover a place to learn. You can find out more and book online. recbedford.co.uk
Reminiscence Session: Bedfordshire Railways
remembered
Thursday, 20 November @ 11am - 12.30pm / Free, drop in
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway, this session will be exploring the history of our local railways and remembering train journeys taken over the years.
Image: Katie O’Pray
Image: Rothsay Education Centre
Bedford Skeptics: A Little History of Maths with Snezana Lawrence
Thursday, 20 November @ 7:30pm North End Club, Roff Avenue
After a last-minute cancellation in September, Szezana will be at Bedford Skeptics this month to talk about the history of maths. Don’t miss this second chance to see her!
Bedford Repair Cafe
Saturday, 22 November @ 10am - 3pm (last entry 2.30pm) Project 229, Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8DA
Bedford Repair Cafe is continuing its mission to divert stuff from landfill, one household item at a time. Get yours fixed for free by local volunteers. Just turn up - they can fix household electrical items, bikes, clothes, toys, costume jewlery, woodwork, and more. bedfordrepaircafe.co.uk/
Drink & Draw with the Circus of Illustration
Tuesday, 25 November @ 7.30pm-9.30pm, drop in any time At The Park Pub, Kimbolton Road / Pay what you can
Reflect on the past year by making a mini zine at the Circus of Illustration’s final Drink and Draw of the year. All materials provided at this laid-back, social event for all creative grown ups.
Making Marks - An exhibition of works on paper by local art group @ CastleLifeArt
Tuesday, 25 - Saturday, 29 November @ 11am-4pm Basement@Bunyan, Bunyan Museum, Mill Street MK40 3EU / Free entry
Take a look at Castle Life Art’s second exhibition, giving the public a chance to view and purchase some of the group’s
fabulous works on paper as well as ceramics, produced by artists from the group.
Wreath-making Workshop
Thursday, 27, Friday, 28 & Saturday, 29 November @ 6.30pm The Arc, Howard Street (under Lurke St car park) / £67.50
Gather your gang for a fun evening of wreath-making, shopping (15% off all Arc purchases on the evening) and general Christmas merry-making, in the gloriously festive wonderland that is The Arc Bedford. Make your own natural and environmentally-friendly wreath while relaxing over Christmas food and drinks from You For Coffee.
St Andrew’s Crib Festival
Saturday, 29 and Sunday, 30 November @ 10am - 4pm (Sat) 1pm - 4pm (Sun)
St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road MK40 2PF
A new and unique festive event is taking place at St Andrews Church this month. The church will be filled with reimagined nativity sets made by local individuals, families, schools, groups and charities. The cribs are modelled from everything from wood to Lego, biscuits to junk modelling and visitors will be invited to vote for their favourite crib with a winner awarded in each category. World Vision, Home for Good, and Emmaus Village Carlton. For more information, contact info@standrewsbedford.org
Friends of the Higgins: November lectures
Various dates throughout November
This month, the Friends of the Higgins is hosting a variety of talks, including on the Art of Venice and a private view of the forthcoming Noel Carrington exhibition (see page 4). For full details of all the events, visit their website. friendsofthehiggins.org
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers weekly walks
Every Saturday 10am and 1pm
This month, North Beds Ramblers will be exploring Wilstead (1 November), Stagsden (15 November), Ravensden (22 November) and Harrold Country Park (29 November). Check out their website for full details of each walk. ramblers.org.uk/ north-bedfordshire
Geology rocks, but Geography is where it’s at!
A little history of Maths / Image: Szezana Lawrence
Wreath making / Image: The Arc
Image: Bedford Repair Cafe
FILM
Bedford Film Society
University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue @ 7.30pm
Tickets: Annual membership £70 / day member £5
4 November: Four Mothers
An author is saddled with caring for his mother after she suffers a stroke. His plans for a book tour are thrown into disarray when three more elderly women arrive on his doorstep in Dublin.
11 November: Rebel Without A Cause
After moving to a new town, troublemaking teen Jim Stark (James Dean) is supposed to have a clean slate. He falls for local girl Judy (Natalie Wood), who is the girlfriend of neighbourhood tough, Buzz (Corey Allen). When Buzz violently confronts Jim and challenges him to a drag race, the new kid’s real troubles begin.
18 November: All We Imagine As Light Award-winning film set in modern-day Mumbai. Nurse Prabha’s daily life takes an unexpected turn when a surprise present arrives from her estranged husband. Her younger roommate, Anu, faces frustration in her quest to secure a private spot in the city to be intimate with her partner.
25 November: September 5
A 2024 thriller about the ABC Sports crew covering the 1972 Munich Olympics. The film follows their pivot from live sports broadcasting to covering the Black September terrorist group’s hostage crisis of the Israeli athletes, showing their difficult decisions and ethical dilemmas as they broadcast a global tragedy in real time.
Stevington Film Club
Stevington Village Hall, Court Lane MK43 7QT @ 6.30pm
Tickets: £16
27 November: NTLive broadcast - The Fifth Step A new arrival (Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden) at Alcoholics Anonymous meets with his apparently composed sponsor (Martin Freeman) in David Ireland’s knotty, often hilarious
Slide Record Shop
9 The Arcade, Bedford MK40 1NS Sun - Mon: Closed / Tues - Sat: 10am - 5pm
Good Music, Good People, Good Times
Slide Record Shop is an independent record shop that opened in Bedford in 2017. A family business, the shop is run by Warren Alsop, a long-time music lover, vinyl addict, and occasional DJ and his wife Nerys Bannister, fellow music lover and new music obsessive.
After spending far too long in banking, Warren set up Slide to fulfil his passion for music, inspired by the record shops he had visited across the world. Nerys had taken a break from her career as a humanitarian aid worker to care for her father and their first child. She found herself drawn into the Slide project and now can’t imagine doing anything else. Having both spent time growing up in Bedfordshire, Warren and Nerys chose to settle, raise their children and base Slide in Bedford, drawn to its welcoming nature, vibrant music scene (shout out Esquires) and strong indie retail community.
Warren Alsop Nerys Bannister
You are one of Bedford’s best-loved indie shops. What is the ethos at the heart of your business?
From the start, we wanted to create a welcoming space where people could find the music they love. Along the way, we have found ourselves part of a wonderful community that we want to nurture and champion. So, in summary, good music, good people, good times.
Times are tough, but you’ve just celebrated your eighth birthday. What’s the secret of your success?
We’ve tried to make sure we always stay focused on our customers, listening to what they care about, and adapting to that. Which is just our excuse for having a good old natter at the counter whenever we get the chance.
What is the best business advice you’ve been given? There’ll be busy weeks and quiet weeks, and you will drive yourself mad trying to find a reason for it. So just hold your nerve, back yourself and keep going.
Which Bedford indie do you most recommend to your customers?
The Music Centre on Tavistock Street. They look after our gear and are the best place to go to if you are after equipment or need to get something repaired.
THEATRE
Screening: Frankenstein Unchained
Saturday, 1 November
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: from £12
An interactive trip through the world of Mary Shelley’s classic story, featuring live narration by Madeline Smith, star of such films as Frankenstein And The Monster from Hell (with Peter Cushing), Taste the Blood of Dracula (with Christopher Lee) and with a new original soundtrack, performed live-to-picture, by composer Jason Frederick.
Comedy: Mark Watson - Before It Overtakes Us
Saturday, 8 November
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £22.50
Celebrating 20 years in stand-up for the ‘Taskmaster’ cheeky texts icon, multi-award-winner, YouTube cult figure, Radio 4 favourite and recently ‘Baby Reindeer’ actor, Watson returns with a typically frantic and fun-packed new show. A recent encounter caused Mark to ponder the uncertain future facing humanity. He explores this - along with equally pressing matters like the worst word he has ever said in public, the current state of the UK sausage industry, and much more - in a typically frantic and fun-packed new show.
Theatre: Father JC’s Holy Show
Wednesday, 12 November
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: from £16
Father JC – the Irish Drag Priest with mass appeal is taking a divine pilgrimage across the nation, bringing his big mass to the masses. Written and performed by multi-award-nominated artist Laura Wyatt O’Keeffe, this drag comedy extravaganza blends rituals and raves, faith and fun, in a divine hour of chaos and celebration on the dancefloor.
Theatre: Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Thursday, 13 November
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: from £16
Take a break, Rick Wakeman, back to your trailer, Brendan Fraser, watch and learn, Jules Verne, Lamphouse Theatre Company are going on a journey all the way to the centre of the Earth! Two intrepid explorers, one impossible mission (featuring at least one joke about a big hole), and no special effects budget whatsoever. What could possibly go wrong?
Theatre: We are the Lions, Mr Manager
Tuesday, 18 November
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm / From £16
‘We Are The Lions, Mr. Manager!’ is the remarkable story of Jayaben Desai, the inspirational leader of the 1976-78 Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike. She brought the issue
Long fairy tales have a tendency to dragon.
of workplace exploitation and racism to the fore, challenged the perception of Asian women being inherently passive and docile, whilst having the measure of the most brutish and charmless of her managers, telling them: “What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo, there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys who dance on your fingertips, others are lions who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr. Manager!”
Theatre: Dial 1 for UK
Thursday, 20 November
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: from £16
Every night in New Delhi, Uday Kumar (UK) answers panicked calls to the Goldmine Crypto GB Helpline, fantasising about
being British himself, filling his YouTube channel with visions of a sophisticated new life of affluence, fish and chips and tea with the royals. What happens next is the subject of Mohit Mathur’s hilarious and poignant one- man- play of high hopes humbled in Hounslow and an Influencer stripped of influence amidst the brutal reality of the UK care sector, asking how and why, each year, hundreds of young men like UK vanish without trace.
Community Theatre: Still Life (Brief Encounter)
Tuesday, 25 - Saturday, 29 November
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: from £12
After a chance meeting on a railway platform, strangers Alec and Laura begin a brief but intense emotional affair, disrupting their otherwise conventional lives. On the 80th anniversary of the classic film, join us for an immersive evening like no other. From the moment you step into the foyer, you will be transported back to a 1930/40s railway station. Feel free to dress the part, or just come along and enjoy the vintage atmosphere, themed refreshments and entertainment, which will all form part of your evening, before making your way into the theatre to enjoy this deeply touching, bittersweet romance.
LIVE MUSIC
The Herbaliser Band + Guests
Saturday, 1 November
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £25
Way back in 1995, Ollie Teeba and Jake Wherry, AKA The Herbaliser, released their debut 12” single ‘The Real Killer’ on UK label Ninja Tune. The Herbaliser Band (which would count among its members the likes of Easy Access, Chris Bowden and Kaidi Tatham) continued touring internationally and are now back after a brief hiatus. bedfordesquires.co.uk
GONG
Saturday, 8 November
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm / Tickets: £20
The ever-metamorphosing entity that is GONG began in a French commune in 1967 and has endured through the Virgin Records years, mismanagement, court cases, break-ups and re-joinings, deaths and rebirths. Gong’s musically diverse world includes shades of psychedelia, space rock, jazz, avant-garde, krautrock and surreal soundscapes. bedfordesquires.co.uk
Elton John - a tribute
Saturday, 8 November
Addison Centre, Kempston MK42 8PN @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £17.50
Live music returns to the Addison Centre when the amazing Rocket Max performs the greatest hits of one of Britain’s most loved entertainers - the one and only Elton John. Rocket Max is a live, internationally touring stage show featuring Max Anthony on piano/vocals with Alex Scheuerer on guitar/vocals, Craig Ferguson on bass/vocals and Paul Townsend on drums/vocals. Expect to hear such favourites as ‘Your Song’, ‘Crocodile Rock’, ‘I’m Still Standing’ and of course ‘Rocket Man’. ticketsource. co.uk/the-addison-centre
Beans On Toast + Nuala
Wednesday, 12 November
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £17.00
A travelling troubadour for the ages, Beans is an entertainer, singer, songwriter, storyteller, and a master of his art. Expect crowd favourites from years gone by, alongside fresh new songs about the state of the world. bedfordesquires.co.uk
Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, 15 November
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm / Tickets: prices vary
Join Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra for a programme of well-loved classics including Mussorgsky Night on Bald Mountain, Mendelssohn Overture and incidental music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Dvořák Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World’. Conductor: Bjorn Bantock. bedfordcornexchange.co.uk
‘m on a seafood diet. I see food, and I eat it.
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart + Guests
Wednesday, 19 November
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £25
Roughly five years after breaking up, New York’s indie shoegazey dream-poppers the Pains of Being Pure at Heart have announced a reunion tour to celebrate the anniversary of their self-titled debut LP. bedfordesquires.co.uk
Dr John Cooper Clarke
Wednesday, 19 November
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £29.50/£26.00
Known as the ‘Godfather of Punk Poetry” and the original people’s poet, John Cooper Clarke’s cultural influence spans literature, music and fashion. From creating some of the most iconic poetry of the modern era, including the world’s most popular wedding poem “I Wanna Be Yours” ( recently celebrating over a billion streams in its incarnation as a hit record by the Arctic Monkeys) to sharing his life story through his best-selling memoir of the same name, John is referenced as a major influence not just by the Arctic Monkeys but also by artists across the globe.
His legendary number “Evidently Chickentown” plays out the penultimate episode of The Sopranos. Watching John Cooper Clarke perform is an opportunity to see a living legend at the top of his game.
Bedford Choral Society autumn concert: Ode to St Cecelia (Elis Pehkonen) and Da Vinci Requiem (Cecilia McDowell)
Saturday, 22 November
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £20/£17/£5
Conducted by Ian Smith and with soloists Elizabeth Bottone and Philip Tebb, this celebration of St Cecilia’s Day, patron saint of music, features Cecilia-themed music written by two British living composers. Elis Pehkonen’s Ode to Saint Cecilia was originally written for Bedford Choral Society to sing at their 125th anniversary concert. The music is light and full of vitality, and the words are in English. The companion piece, Da Vinci Requiem, written by Cecilia McDowell, is an unusual requiem, incorporating extracts from Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks. It is described as “sparkling and shimmering”. Bedford Sinfonia will also perform Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture. tickets@bedfordchoralsociety.org.uk
Congratulations to this month’s Bought in Bedford winner, Simon, who shared a photo of his purchase from Say Doughnuts (well - the last mouthful of it!) with the hashtag #BoughtInBedford.
Simon has now received a £50 voucher to spend at his favourite Bedford indie business and you could too, if you take part in our November giveaway.
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.
Christmas 2025
Don’t forget that the 2025 edition of our Bought in Bedford magazine will be launched later this month.
Once again, it’s your one-stop shop for festive inspiration, from gifts to food to events this Christmas season and a great reminder to shop local and support the amazing Bedford Indies on our doorstep.
When I get naked in the bathroom, the shower usually gets turned on.
The last mouthful... / Image: Simon (#BoughtInBedford Winner)
FOOD & DRINK
Dadaji’s: South Asian cuisine in Castle Lane
We’ve watched the team behind Dadaji’s evolve their offering over the years, and it really feels like they’ve found their sweet spot with this one.
Right in the heart of town, Dadaji’s isn’t your typical Indian restaurant. They say “It’s all about how Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis eat at home and on their streets, fresh, zingy, earthy and hearty food…”
Every dish has a story, every mouthful is layered with spice and texture, and you get the sense that this is how it’s meant to be eaten, relaxed, generous, and full of love.
And let’s look at those flavours for a moment. Those who know me well know I’m a lightweight when it comes to spices. With our choice, the heat wasn’t overpowering, and the distinctive flavour from each dish was something I really enjoyed.
Grand Thali for two? Don’t mind if we do. / Image: The Bedford Clanger
So, we opted for a Grand Thali for two, choosing Dry Meat, Afghan Haleem and steamed basmati rice. When it arrived, it was a feast for the eyes and the table. Alongside our mains
came samosas, onion bhajis, chaat, chicken wings, kebab bites, daal, gunpowder potatoes, kachumber, pickle, rice, puris and roti. It could have fed a small family, which meant we happily took some home for later.
That fits Dadaji’s ethos perfectly. Their Tiffin Club is a brilliant idea: buy your first tiffin meal with reusable containers, then bring them back for refills at a lower cost, an everyday, zerowaste way to enjoy your favourite dishes at home.
Another unique element to Dadaji’s is that they have chosen not to serve alcohol, but their mocktails are so good you won’t miss it. We tried the Lychee, Lime & Mint Cooler (a sweet, mojitostyle refresher) and the Paradise Cooler, a non-alcoholic take on a Pina Colada, both of which were delicious. If you prefer to have a beer with your curry, you can do that too. There’s a small fee to ‘rent’ a glass, but you only pay once, even if you bring a couple of bottles.
While this is a perfect place for a date night or social with friends (there were tables with an equal number of each the night we visited), they also offer brunch on weekends, which sounds like a great way to catch up with friends or detox after the night before.
Dadaji’s offers a proper taste of South Asia right here in Bedford. And honestly, it’s one we’ll be going back for.
Dim Lit Dinner served: Tuesday - Sunday & Bank Holiday Mondays, 5pm - 10.30pm (last orders)
Casual Brunch served: Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holiday Mondays, 11am - 5pm (last orders)
Dadaji’s can be found at 19 Castle Lane MK40 3NT.
To book, call 01234 341414, email eat@dadajisrestaurant.co.uk or head to dadajisrestaurant.co.uk
HOMETOWN TOURIST
Joshua Hawkins and the ‘Jewel in the Crown’
Joshua Hawkins lived in Bedford for only thirteen years, but we should recognise his name in grateful remembrance, as the Mayor who was the principal in the provision of Bedford landmarks – the original Prebend Street Bridge, Bedford Park, the Suspension Bridge and the Embankment.
He must have been quite a character, born in Devon in 1845, an ex-Methodist minister, he came to Bedford in 1879, purchasing a half share in The Bedfordshire Times and Independent in partnership with his friend Arthur Ransom. With this as a platform, he soon became a Liberal Town Councillor, helping to establish the Liberal Club, which stood in Midland Road.
By 1883, Hawkins was Mayor, a position he filled five times until 1890. He wrote in an editorial that “to be attractive the Town must keep up and improve its present good appearance; its sanitary arrangements must be fully maintained; there must be no question about the quantity or quality of the water; nor must the provision for recreation be neglected; and with it all the rates must not be too high,” and he saw those ideas through.
At that time, between Albany Road and Bushmead Avenue alongside the River, there was a row of 24 tradesmen’s cottages, named Waterloo. Driven by Hawkins, the Town Council
determined that they should be demolished to enable Gardens to be established, together with the Suspension Bridge.
His ill health prevented Hawkins from attending the celebrations to mark the opening of Bedford Park and the Suspension Bridge and led to his death in 1892 aged just 46. Town shops closed for the funeral, with crowds lining the streets, and he was buried at Foster Hill Road Cemetery. His wife, Hester Periam Hawkins, was also well known. A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (she wrote the ABC Guide to Astronomy, still well regarded today), she was a Methodist hymn writer, a novelist and a lifelong supporter of the Temperance Movement.
She gave a Hall to Queens Park in Joshua’s memory for recreational and educational purposes including a library, now the Jamia Masjid Hanfia Ghousia. She died in Reigate in 1928 aged 81. Joshua’s name is preserved on five plaques around the Town – Prebend Street (County) Bridge, the Suspension Bridge, the old Fire Station Mill Street, Bedford Park gates and Bedford School, main building.
By David Fowler, Bedford Tour Guide
GREAT BEDFORDIAN
Louise Harris is a Bedford-born music publicist with over 25 years in the industry. Based here, she is best known locally for her long-standing role as publicist for the iconic Bedford Park Concerts, now known as TX Maxx presents Bedford Summer Sessions. Throughout her career, she has worked with major artists and household names across the music and entertainment world — from Hollywood actor Russell Crowe to music legend Stevie Wonder.
Louise is the founder of Bedford-based PR company Louise Harris PR and currently serves as Head of PR for Rock Choir, the world’s largest contemporary choir. With the announcements of next year’s Summer Session headliners coming thick and fast, we thought it was a great time to catch up with Louise, to find out her fave Bedford hang outs. Over to you, Louise…
Name: Louise Harris
Occupation: Music Publicist
Born here or blow in? Born here
Best breakfast in Bedford? This is hard! So many amazing independent cafes/pubs to choose from, but I think it has to be The Longholme.
Best boozer? I’m going local and choosing The Park on Kimbolton Road. GREAT cocktails!
Best coffee or cuppa? Fancy. Perfect for a coffee, but of course, you have to have cake too! Can I just say their blueberry scones are to die for.
Best takeaway? Indiya
Best gig you’ve seen in Bedford? I’ve seen a lot, as you can imagine, but a highlight was following Tom Grennan out on stage in Bedford Park; the reaction of the crowd was incredible. His energy was insane, and the energy back from the crowd was off the scale.
Ever read John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress? No, sadly not, I do however, read The Bedford Clanger, which surely must count as essential Bedfordshire literature?
Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? Yes… I think I have… I must have had. I’m not sure it was that memorable?
An off-the-beaten-track gem that everyone should know about? I’m going with cafes again, but if you haven’t tried the French toast at The Old Curiosity Café, you haven’t lived. Get yourself down there!
Best Bedfordian? t’s totally biased, but my husband Neil Harris, who has sat on governing boards for The Harpur Trust, has mentored students through Bedford Open Door and is now the chair for Tibbs Dementia, doing amazing work in the community to raise awareness and to support those affected by dementia. His volunteer work and commitment to helping the local Bedford community is outstanding
Three words that best sum up Bedford?
Friendly
Inclusive
Creative
Delicious scones at Fancy Bakery / Image: Fancy Bakery
The Park Pub on Kimbolton Rd. / Image: Google Maps, July 2024
Louise Harris & Tom Grennan / Image: Louise Harris
