CONTENTS
SEIZING THE SKIES | 4
95th anniversary of the R 101 airship
DOC. FILM FEST | 5
Back for its fourth year, Bedford Documentary Film Festival
WHAT’S ON | 6
Diaries at the ready
FILM | 9
Grab the popcorn
Introduction
This month we’re focusing on one of the forgotten aspects of Bedford’s history, the final flight of the R 101 airship. This year marks the 95th anniversary of that fateful flight, and to commemorate the event, a new play has been commissioned, entitled ‘Seizing the Skies’. Read more on page 4, including details of events at St Mary’s Church in Cardington too.
Also this month, Bedford Music Club celebrates Black Voices to mark the end of Black History Month. Find out more about the incredible programme on page 18
THEATRE | 12
The best of this month’s theatre
LIVE MUSIC | 14
Bring the noise
BOUGHT IN BEDFORD | 16
Don’t forget, there’s a chance to win £50!
BEDFORD INDIES | 17
October marks the 10th birthday of one of our favourite Bedford indies, épanoui on Mill Street, and we’re celebrating this milestone on page 17. We also have our first Bought In Bedford winner (page 16) with details of how you could be in with a chance to win a £50 voucher to your favourite Bedford indie.
Have a wonderful month and we’ll see you in November.
Team Clanger
Even more events are included in our weekly What’s On Guide, published every Wednesday on our website at bedfordindependent.co.uk
ONE DAY ONLY SALE
Editor: Erica Roffe / clanger@bedfordindependent.co.uk
See Pages 10 & 11 for
Commercial Director: Julia Course / julia@bedfordindependent.co.uk
Design: Ben Graham / ben@twenty-sixstudios.co.uk
Front Cover: Paul Catherall / paulcatherall.com
Theatre: Paula Walker
Website: bedfordindependent.co.uk
The Bedford Clanger is published by Progress Publishing
Happy 10th Birthday, épanoui
Bedford Music Club’s celebration of Black History Month
Jessica Answer
Erica Roffe, Julia Course & Paul Hutchinson (Image: Two-D Photography)
SEIZING THE SKIES
95th anniversary of R101’s final flight
At dusk on 4 October 1930, His Majesty’s Airship R 101 slipped from its mooring at Cardington with 54 men on board, flew a circuit of Bedford and headed south en route to India. A few hours later, it crashed near Beauvais in France. 48 men died, and for those who’d built her and for the families at home, it was the end of the world as they knew it. 95 years later, there are still many unanswered questions.
To commemorate the 95th anniversary and address some of the questions, ‘Seizing the Skies’ is a new drama performed by Bedford Drama Company, written by Bedfordians Richard Moon and Oscar Aleman. The show aims to convey the essence of the story, highlighting the impact of the tragedy on the people involved and honouring the memory of those who died.
Asked what drew him to the story, Richard told the Bedford Clanger, “I’ve always had a general interest in local history, so I was aware of the R 101 and the basics of the story. Oscar and I
Seizing the Skies will be performed at The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road on Tuesday, 14 - Saturday, 18 October at 7.30pm. Tickets are £16 and can be purchased from the theatre website theplacebedford.org.uk
St Mary’s Church in Cardington will host an afternoon of talks on Saturday, 4 October between 2pm - 5pm to mark the 95th anniversary of the final flight of the R 101.
Historian, Rudi Newman will host On a ‘Wing’ and a Prayer: The British Imperal Ariship Scheme 1924-30, Alastair Reid of the
immersed ourselves in the fascinating story and discovered the scandal at the heart of the tragedy.”
The pair spent many hours at Bedford Library, made visits to the museum at St Mary’s Cardington, and to the Airships Trust archive, realising that this was a story that needed to be told.
Unlike the Titanic, outside of Bedfordshire, very few people have heard of the R101, but at the time, the crash was huge news, Richard
The pair, alongside the team at Bedford Drama Company, are hoping to change that narrative and shine a spotlight on a part of Bedford’s engineering and innovation heritage that has been forgotten.
Airship Association with look at the accident from the French perspective and finally, Seizing the Skies’ playwrite, Richard Moon, will share the research he undertook to create the new play.
St Mary’s Church, Church Ln, Cardington, Bedford MK44 3SR
Why did Adele cross the road? To say hello from the other side.
L: Behind the scenes: Seizing the Skies / Image: Bedford Drama Company | R: Artwork by Paul Catherall
DOCUMENTARY FILM FEST
Unlikely Mermaid (“This
one is fantastic”)
Bedford Documentary Film Festival
Saturday, 11 October
Back for its fourth year, Bedford Documentary Film Festival returns to the Bunyan Meeting this month with an incredible selection of factual films on a diverse range of topics and themes.
“The festival started because of my passion for documentary making,” explained festival organiser, Jason Gurr.
“I am a producer and director myself and have been fortunate to have made documentaries for UK TV, and I have now produced six documentaries for the British Film Institute. One of the most poignant and inspiring films we’ve ever screened was a documentary made by our 2023 winner, Jay. He woke up one morning not able to move and was bedridden for two years. As he got better, he made the short documentary without telling his family.”
Jason has hand-picked three highlights from this year’s festival to whet our appetites…
Two Mermaid wannabes audition to be performers at Weeki Wachee, the Florida roadside tourist attraction that is older than Disney World. Lorraine, obsessed with mermaids, invites Peggy, 79, to travel with her to audition after they practice underwater ballet. We deep dive into vintage footage, learning what it takes to audition to be a world-famous mermaid while getting to know Peggy and Lorraine. It’s never too late to dream or drown trying.
The Robin That Never Returned
In the 1990s, Tatu Hokkanen ringed a robin in Finland, which was later found shot in Brescia, Italy. Years on, conservationists Katia and Paolo battle bird poaching in Brescia. This crossborder story is about protecting birds.
Close Colonies
Discover a passionate group of local Nottingham beekeepers as they share their personal journeys, along with the unexpected joys of the craft. Learn about the dark European Honey Bee and discover how these tiny creatures are transforming more than just honeycombs.
Tickets and further information can be found on their website. bedforddocs.co.uk
WHAT’S ON
Murder in the Museum: Movie Night Murder Opens 4 October / Tickets: £25/team
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane MK40 3XD
/
Cardboard Clues returns to The Higgins with an all-new murder mystery experience with three brand new cases to crack, new puzzles and even more murder… You and your team will discover different cardboard characters and clues hidden throughout
Commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the final flight of the R 101 Saturday, 4 October @ 2pm - 5pm St Mary’s Church, Cardington
As part of the 95th anniversary events taking place to mark the final flight of the R 101 airship, St Mary’s Church in Cardington will host an afternoon of talks on the subject.
Historian Rudi Newman, Alastair Reid of the Airship association and Richard Moon of Bedford Drama Company (see our interview on page 4) will all contribute to a memorable afternoon.
the museum’s collections, solving new mysteries using the interactive smartphone app. Perfect for families, friends, and puzzle enthusiasts looking for a unique way to explore the Higgins. To book visit cardboardclues.com.
Fun Palaces - creativity in the community Saturday, 4 October @ 11am – 4pm
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane MK40 3XD / Free
Fun Palaces are back at The Higgins Bedford this month and this amazing free event includes the chance to practice circus skills and learn some juggling tricks, try your hand at portrait photography, learn more about rushwork, meet the Nritham dancers, learn more about our airship heritage in a VR exploration, and you can even have your greatest (and smallest) wins in life celebrated by the team at Profess(ional) Box. All of the events are free and there is something for everyone to enjoy at this inclusive event. thehigginsbedford.org.uk/
To the guy who invented zero, thanks for nothing.
Image: Artwork by Paul Catherall
Image: Fun Palaces
Murder In The Museum - Movie Night Murder
Image: Cardboard Clues
Celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary
Saturday, 4 October from 10am onwards
The Rothsay Education Centre, Rothsay Gardens / From £16
250 years after her birth, Jane Austen’s literary legacy continues to inspire. The REC is celebrating the anniversary with a series of Ausin-inspired Saturday workshops including a deep dive into Sense and Sensibility and a look at Britian during her lifetime. Open to members and non-members alike. recbedford.co.uk/
Race Day Air Show 2025
Sunday, 5 October @ 9am - 6pm
Shuttleworth Trust, Old Warden, SG18 9DT / Tickets from £35
Strap in for an action-packed day celebrating the icons of speed both on the ground and in the air as Shuttleworth celebrates the racing skill and passion of its patron, Richard Shuttleworth. Experience the early days of Edwardian racing as both visiting vehicles and those from their Collection take to the grass track for high-speed sprint demonstrations. shuttleworth.org/events/race-day-air-show-2025
Talk:
More Wallpaper, Vicar?
Thursday, 9 October @ 2pm - 3pm
Bunyan Meeting Church / Tickets: £10 - Friends of the Bunyan £5 (includes refreshments)
Flying Display - The Shuttleworth Trust / Image: Nick Blacow
Rowena Beighton-Dykes / Image: supplied by Rowena
Walls really do talk and research into decorative schemes for clergy houses in the nineteenth century raised some interesting questions. Why were so many members of the Anglican Church buying wallpaper? What wallpapers did they choose? Were they the upstanding members of the establishment they purported to be? Rowena Beighton-Dykes’ talk will explore the context in which houses were being decorated, with reference to some members of the clergy and their properties in the Bedfordshire area. bunyanmeeting.co.uk/
Bedford Repair Cafe
Saturday 18 October @ 10am-3pm (last walk-in 2.30pm)
Project 229, Bedford Road, Kempston, MK42 8DA / Free entry/donations welcome
Come along any time during the session to get one item per household repaired by local volunteers. Electrical items, clothes, bikes and more. bedfordrepaircafe.co.uk/
Under The Bed Art Sale
Tuesday, 21 - Saturday, 25 October @ 11am - 4pm Basement at Bunyan, MK40 3EU / Free entry
The Under the Bed art sale is back, with works to be sold at HALF of their original price. Incredibly cheap prices for painting, sculpture, prints, jewellery, cards etc. Treat yourself!
ECLIPSE - an exhibition of fine art drawing by Mo Lea
Saturday, 25 October - Saturday, 1 November @ 11am - 3pm St Paul’s Church, MK40 1SQ / Free entry
Artist and teacher, Mo Lea uses drawing and colour to express the fascinating symmetrical designs of moths and each largescale drawing represents the intricate patterns and structures of these insects while exploring the underlying ethos of rebirth. Prints will be on sale and contributions of sales will go to The Centre for Women’s Justice. This exhibition is supported by Queen Camilla.
Celebrating Bedford’s Working Community: David Lewry’s “Bedford at Work”
Tuesday, 28 October - Saturday, 1 November Basement at Bunyan / Free entry
Acclaimed Bedford-based artist and art educator David Lewry is proud to present his latest project, “Bedford at Work”, a compelling collection of over 35 hand-drawn portraits in coloured pencil capturing the spirit and diversity of Bedford’s working people.
This ambitious series, created from David’s own photography, features local workers, business owners, and tradespeople, all drawn with remarkable precision and care. Each portrait takes up to 30 hours to complete, showcasing David’s meticulous attention to detail and deep respect for his subjects. A special private viewing will take place on Monday, 27 October, where many of the individuals featured will see their framed and mounted portraits unveiled for the first time.
Bedford National Trust Association: Professor Lloyd Peck, team leader of the British Antarctic Survey
Tuesday, 14 October @ 2.15pm
The Addison Centre, Kempston / Small entry fee - all welcome
Join Professor Lloyd Peck to find out about the Antarctic environment and how extreme the conditions are. He will discuss how people cope and work in those conditions and the adaptations of animals living in the coldest ocean on Earth. From giant sea spiders to snails that take 10 years to develop from fertilised eggs to baby snails, the biology of life seems both bizarre and captivating at this extreme end of the Earth.
Image: Bedford Repair Cafe
Eclipse / Image: Mo Lea
FILM
Bedford Film Society - 2025/2026 Season
This year’s Bedford Film Society season kicks off on 30 September, showcasing the best of the world’s cinema - from Oscar winners to rarely seen classics - all in the comfort of the University of Bedfordshire’s theatre.
This month’s screenings are the Iranian love story, My Favourite Cake (7 October), the BAFTA and Oscar-award-winning papal drama, Conclave (14 October), Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths (21 October) and the Icelandic love story, Touch (28 October)
Free, drop in, art & craft activities for children aged 2-5 years at The Higgins Bedford on:
Friday 3 October, 7 November, 5 December, 9 January, 6 February, 6 March.
Pop in anytime between 10:30am-12pm or 1-2:30pm.
Scan QR code for more details.
The Higgins Art Gallery and Museum Castle Lane, Bedford, MK40 3XD
“This season we are really looking forward to welcoming new members and casual guests to come and see our showcase of award-winning World cinema,” said BFS’s Thom McKiernan.
Membership costs just £70 for the whole season, or you can pay £5 per film as a ‘day guest’. bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk/
NT Live: Mrs Warren’s Profession Thursday, 23 October @ 6.30pm
Stevington Film Club, Stevington Village Hall, MK43 7QT / Tickets: £6
In George Bernard Shaw’s incendiary moral classic, Vivie Warren (Bessie Carter) is a woman ahead of her time. Estranged from her wealthy mother (Imedla Staunton), she delights in a glass of whisky, a good detective story, and is determined to carve herself a sparkling legal career in an age ruled by men. Her mother, however, is a product of that old patriarchal order. Exploiting it has earned Mrs. Warren a fortune and paid for her daughter’s expensive education – but at what cost? stevingtoncinemaclub.uk
FABULOUS FAMILY EVENTS
IN OCTOBER AT THE HIGGINS BEDFORD
4 October: Fun Palaces (Drop-in)
19 October: Crafternoon (Drop-in)
26 October: Storytelling (Drop-in)
28 October: Design Day of the Dead Masks (Bookable)
29 October: Discover Geology (Bookable)
30 October: Shadow Puppet Making (Bookable)
For more details scan the QR code or visit www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk
Image: Touch (28 October)
THEATRE
Theatre: Darkness and Light
Friday, 3 October @ 7.30pm
The Place Theatre / Tickets: from £16
One lamp-lit storyteller, two ghostly tales and nothing else but the infinite horrors of the surrounding darkness.
To celebrate a decade of making ghost story theatre, The Book of Darkness & Light presents two of their most terrifying tales
Theatre: Moments
Monday, 6 October @ 7pm
The Quarry Theatre / Tickets from £13
Celebrating over 14 years of working together, the critically acclaimed team behind the making of the international hits The Nature of Forgetting and BIRTH opens up their precious notebooks and share how their magic works. Ultimately, Moments is about attentiveness; magic in the making of new work; poetry in our everyday moment-by-moment existence; life as we live it.
from the past ten years in this intimate and spellbinding solo show. The Bonehouse and A Horror in Porcelain are brought to life by the master of the macabre, Adam Z Robinson, and will haunt you long after the final words are spoken…
Theatre: Is That a Whip in your Hand?
Wednesday, 8 October @ 7pm
The Quarry Theatre / Tickets: from £10
Following performances in the USA, UK and Australia, Gavin Robertson focuses his attention on the fortune-hunter movie phenomenon encompassing everything from ‘Indiana Jones’ to ‘National Treasure’ via ‘Romancing The Stone’ - spoofing the characters adored by millions, and exploding every cliché… solo! It’s minimum props, maximum effect as our hero searches for treasure via Columbia and Greece, evading trouble at every turn!
Long fairy tales have a tendency to dragon.
Community Theatre: Rent
Wednesday, 8 - Sunday, 11 October @ 7.30pm
The Place Theatre / Tickets: £18
Rent tells the story of a group of young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York City’s East Village under the shadow of HIV/AIDS in the late 1980s. Through the characters’ intertwined lives, Rent explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship and community. The musical’s message is one of resilience, love, and the importance of living life to its fullest despite adversity. It was needed when the show originally opened in 1996, and is still so relevant today.
Comedy: Scott Bennett: Stuff
Friday, 17 October @ 7.30pm
The Quarry Theatre / Tickets: £18
As a society we love stuff, it’s a statement about who we are and who we want to be. But apparently, this message is at odds with the looming environmental crisis. We’re now struggling to balance these worlds, to focus on the things that bring us real connections and nourish the soul. Award-winning Comedian and Award-winning Product Designer, Scott Bennett is desperately trying to cleanse his life of stuff, but is this even possible anymore?
Children’s Theatre: Maisie and the Misfortune Teller
Wednesday, 29 October @ 11am
The Place Theatre / Tickets: from £7.50 / Ages 4+
Join Maisie as an encounter with a mysterious Fortune Teller (and companion cat) helps her turn her bad luck into good. This charming storytelling show combines handmade puppets and props with an original text, all created and performed by local performing artist Kaye Mahoney (aka Kaye Leidoskope). The show will run for 25 minutes and Kaye will also host a finger puppet-making workshop before the show, so that the audience can join in!
Children’s Poetry: A Noise Annoys
Thursday, 30 October @ 2pm
The Place Theatre / Tickets: from £10
“A Noise Annoys” is a poetry show for all the senses. It features rhymes, noises, songs, surprises and lots of audience interaction. Bursting with joyful humour and witty wordplay, poet and performer Jude Simpson takes the audience on a mind-bending journey through the sounds of language and the language of sounds. There is lots of joy, a healthy dose of nonsense, and a few heartfelt moments of beautiful hush.
Cultural Event: Black History Month Celebration
Friday, 31 October @ 7.30pm
The Place Theatre / Tickets: Free, but please prebook via the Place website
Join the celebration of Cultural Root’s Black History Month Exhibition. The evening will feature Cultural Roots Sound and Light and a host of DJs. All are welcome, tickets are free but you do need to pre-book your ticket in advance.
LIVE MUSIC
Tribute: Man of the World: The Music of Peter Green
Thursday, 2 October @ 7.30pm
The Place Theatre / Tickets: from £18
Celebrating the life and music of Peter Green, founder of the original Fleetwood Mac. Guitarist Remi Harris will be joined by vocalist Dave Small, bassist Tom Moore and Nicky Waters on drums to perform music from throughout Peter Green’s career. Including such classics as Man Of The World, Black Magic Woman, Need Your Love So Bad, Albatross and The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown).
Folk: Stick in the Wheel
Thursday, 2 October @ 7.30pm
Bedford Esquires / Tickets: £16
This radical East London duo are known for their intense live shows exploring the raw holler of folk, synths, spoken word and intricate rustic dobro guitar. Full-force reworkings of centuriesold work-songs speak to contemporary issues of class and Stick In The Wheel have created their own London vernacular, a contemporary roots music that celebrates the collective stories and traditions of the city – conjuring the past to point toward the future.
Live music: Glam Rampage
Sunday, 5 October @ 5pm
The Cellar Bar / Free entry
Soul: The Soul Man
Friday, 10 October @ 8.30 pm
The Cellar Bar / Free entry
One of the most well-known and loved local artists, The Soul Man (aka Peter Symphorien) performs soul classics from artists such as Barry White, Luther Vandross, George Benson, The Temptations, The Drifters and more.
Ibibio Sound Machine
Friday, 10 October @ 7.30pm
Bedford Esquires / £25
Fronted by Nigerian singer Eno Williams, Ibibio Sound Machine is a clash of African and electronic elements inspired in equal measure by the golden era of West-African funk and disco and modern post-punk and electro. “Western pop fans will hear echoes of Michael Jackson, James Brown, Gary Numan, Prince, Talking Heads and, yes, Miami Sound Machine; African music devotees will recognize threads of juju and Afrobeat from Nigeria, high life from Ghana and makossa from Cameroon .” New York Times
Dance music: Remedy
Saturday, 25 October @ 5pm - 1am
Dom Polski, Ashburnham Road / Tickets: £15 (includes vegan buffet)
Remedy is back at Dom Polski with a cosmic musical journey curated by hosts Patrick Forge and Child of The Deep. Enjoy the party / dance / make friends / get to know one another / love each other. To sign up for a ticket, visit their website at remedycollective.net
Long fairy tales have a tendency to dragon.
Glam Rampage are back at The Cellar Bar playing hits from the early 70’s by T Rex, Sweet, Mud, Slade, Bowie and more.
Classical: Philharmonia Concert - Santtu and Víkingur Ólafsson
Monday, 13 October @ 7pm
Bedford Corn Exchange / Tickets: £16.50 - £49.50
The Philharmonia’s Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali returns to Bedford, joined by pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, the orchestra’s Featured Artist this season. Beethoven, Ortiz and Sibelius are on the menu.
Live music: World on Fire
Saturday, 18 October @ 8.30pm
The Cellar Bar / Free entry
World On Fire back will be playing all your favourite rock covers with a few of their own thrown in too. Imagine if the classic ‘power rock’ female-led acts of the 80s were around today, give them modern synths, production and style and you have World On Fire.
Swing: Swing the Music with Down for the Count All-Stars
Thursday, 16 October @ 7.30pm
The Quarry Theatre / Tickets: £28
This mini big band recreates the music of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Nat ‘King’ Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and more – but this is no mere nostalgia trip. The band performs each song in their own unmistakable style, breathing new life into the best vintage music.
Acoustic: Hue & Cry
Friday, 24 October @ 7.30pm
Bedford Esquires / Tickets: £22.50
80’s legends Hue & Cry come to Bedford this month for a special Electro / Acoustic show featuring their hits including Labour of Love, Looking for Linda, Ordinary Angels and more. Alongside Wet Wet Wet, Texas, and Deacon Blue, blue-eyed soul pop siblings Hue & Cry were one of the most successful acts to emerge from the Scottish music scene that dominated the charts in the late ’80s.
BOUGHT IN BEDFORD
Share your love of Bedford’s indie businesses and win a £50 voucher
Through our Bought in Bedford campaign, we want to share the love for our Bedford Indies and are giving away a £50 voucher every month this year to one of our readers to spend in their favourite local independent business.
Our first #BoughtInBedford winner has been chosen, so congratulations to Jennifer Howard, who emailed us (win@ bedfordindependent.co.uk) to spread the love for Charisma in the Old Arcade.
Jennifer Howard, #BoughtInBedford winner
I bought this lovely kimono jacket at Charisma in the Arcade not long ago. It’s perfect to cover up or dress up a T-shirt or vest top and still be cool on a hot day.
Jennifer Howard, #BoughtInBedford winner
A £50 voucher for Fabric World is now winging its way to Jennifer and you could be next, simply by tagging your social media posts or emailing us with your #BoughtInBedford purchases.
To be in with a chance to win, just follow these simple steps:
1. Make a purchase from one of Bedford Borough’s brilliant indies. This can be an item, food, a service (for instance, a haircut, beauty treatment), or a drink….Dare we even suggest a coffee from one of our many fine coffee shops?
2. Take a photo of what you have purchased.
3. Share the photo publicly on an Instagram post using the hashtag #BoughtInBedford. You can also tag @TheBedfordClanger or @BedfordIndependent and the business you bought it from (optional)
4. If you don’t have an Instagram account or a public profile, you can email* the photo, including a description of what you bought and where you purchased it, along with your name. We will publish the photo, description and name on our Instagram account.
Winners will be contacted through Instagram or email after the last day of each month.
* win@bedfordindependent.co.uk
We want to see all your #BoughtInBedford purchases. The more we see, the more you help us highlight the big difference our independent businesses make to Bedford.
For full terms and conditions see BedfordIndependent.co.uk
Long fairy tales have a tendency to dragon.
BEDFORD INDIES
Happy 10th birthday, épanoui!
This month, épanoui is celebrating 10 years on Mill Street, and we caught up with owner and jewellery designer, Hannah, to find out what’s changed, what the challenges are and what’s coming next at her beautiful shop and studio in the heart of Bedford.
“It’s been really, really hard, but the fact that we’ve weathered the last 10 years [including Brexit, a global pandemic, worldwide recession, cost of living crisis - Ed] is amazing,” said Hannah.
“It’s not just a shop, it’s a space where the community comes together, where connections are made, and that’s the joy of having a physical space - it gets hard, but it never gets old. The drive to get up, be creative and bring something different to Bedford is always there.
“Whether you’re coming in to make a purchase or just popping in for some inspiration, it’s what it is - a nice place to be.”
épanoui is a proud member of the informal Bedford Indies crew (“I’m so proud to be part of the gang,” said Hannah) and says she’s forever recommending and sending customers to other indie shops in the town centre to spread the love.
Hannah attributes the longevity of épanoui to its ability to adapt and evolve, from the pre-pandemic days of creative meet-ups and workshops, to the next top secret phase.
“I can’t say too much about it now, but suffice to say, it’s something our customers have been asking us to provide for a long time, and I can’t wait for the big reveal nearer Christmas.” Oooh, we can’t wait!
However, despite being open for a decade, Hannah says that people are still only just discovering the shop. So, this is your cue to take advantage of four hours’ free parking at Lurke Street car park and take a wander to Mill Street. With cards, giftwrap, dried flowers and homewares complementing the jewellery, you will find yourself stepping into an oasis of calm and joy - just the antidote to the world outside.
Happy birthday, épanoui, here’s to the next 10 years…
44 Mill Street, MK40 3HD
(Left - Right) The dazzling shopfront, A selection of sleek yet stunning necklaces / Image: épanoui
Owner & Jewellery Designer, Hannah / Image: épanoui
BLACK VOICES
Black Voices - a celebration of the richness of Black music
Friday, 24 - Sunday, 26 October
Bedford Music Club (BMC) is delighted to announce its exciting 2025 festival against the backdrop of Black History Month. Black Voices brings together extraordinary artists to celebrate the richness of Black music through concerts, talks, community and educational events.
The music will illuminate stories of history, resistance, faith and joy. “There is so much talent in Bedford and beyond, it is a privilege to be able to showcase it,” said festival organiser, Duncan Fraser. “People of all ages and all backgrounds are involved in the events and we are looking forward to building on the success of last year’s Italian festival.”
Events take place in the heart of the community at All Saints Church, Queen’s Park and at The Higgins, with free and/or affordable tickets available for all events.
Artists include London Adventist Chorale, an award-winning choir renowned for its vibrant, soulful sound and stunning choral blend, world-renowned double bassist Leon Bosch, acclaimed British pianist Beatrice Nicholas and Vox Urbane – a ground-breaking and unique professional vocal ensemble representing marginalised voices from all backgrounds.
Pupils from six primary schools in Bedford have been working with Vox Urbane to sing together and open the festival on Friday, 24 October and on Saturday (11am - 1pm), a free study morning will be held at the Higgins to investigate From Hiawatha to Hip-Hop; hear about the huge success of Coleridge Taylor’s Hiawatha, the message of Hip Hop (Robert Beckford) and where Black voices are headed (David Bryan).
To read the full programme and book tickets, head to the Bedford Music Club website at bedfordmusicclub.com Image Credit: Bedford Music Club
GREAT BEDFORDIAN
This month’s Great Bedfordian is Jessica Answer, owner and head dye-slinger at Boyds Printworks.
They recently collaborated with Gemma at The Arc to create a tote bag to promote our fave town.
We’ve been big fans of The Arc since it opened, so when they got in touch to collaborate on what’s quickly become a positive message campaign for Bedford, I jumped at the chance to help create something that locals would be proud to own.
Seeing people using them daily around town and further afield, it’s a reminder to me that there are people here who are positive and optimistic about our town and not afraid to show it.
Name: Jessica Answer
Occupation: Textile Screen Printer with my business Boyds Printworks.
Born here or blow in? I was born here in Bedford in ’85, I did leave to study Design Technology at University of Liverpool for a few years, but I came back to work in engineering, prior to running businesses with my husband in Bedford.
Best breakfast in Bedford? I love eating outdoors and so it has to be the Longholme for its location, vibe and the food; I always go for the feta & avocado toast.
Best boozer? Not much of a drinker but The Gordon Arms is always nice for a relaxed drink and people watching from the front terrace.
Best coffee or cuppa? I can’t pick between Vanilla Tree and You For Coffee (at The Arc) for the best flat white.
Best takeaway? Naany’s for katti rolls is a real treat, it’s so tasty and fresh.
Best gig you’ve seen in Bedford? The local gig I’ve had the most fun at in recent years was DJ Yoda at Esquires, we had such a good dance.
Ever read John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress? I’m sure
we did at school but I can’t remember any of it.
Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? Yes, from Gunns Bakery when it was on the High Street.
An off-the-beaten-track gem that everyone should know about? Cottage Farm Nurseries in Cardington has the most friendly and helpful staff for anything garden plant related (and as a plus, it’s right next to The Barn for a great sandwich).
Best Bedfordian? Thankfully, there’s so many people determined to do what’s best for Bedford and look after those more vulnerable than others, which makes this hard to answer without diminishing others efforts. She’s not going to like it because she sent me this questionnaire but for me personally, it’s Erica Roffe, for pushing forward creative ideas in building Bedford’s profile and also for supporting us from the beginning of us starting our first business back in 2016.
Three words that best sum up Bedford? Diverse Creative Supportive
Barbados, Bermuda, Bedford Bags / Image: The Bedford Clanger
Vanilla Tree / Image: Jessica Answer
Image: Emily Bateman
