The Cellar Bar BEDFORD
DECEMBER 2024 EVENTS
SUN, 1
THU, 5
FRI, 6
SAT, 7
SUN, 8
THU, 12
FRI, 13
SAT, 14
SUN, 15
WED, 18
THU, 19
FRI, 20
SAT, 21
SUN, 22
TUE, 24
WED, 25
THU, 26
FRI, 27
SAT, 28
SUN, 29
TUES, 31
WED, 1
BRASS BAND/ OPEN MIC
KARAOKE
TESS & DURBERVILLES/MAT ROBERTS
SOUL FACTORY/CAMEO/FIVE FIVE SIX
80’S DAY TIME DISCO/OPEN MIC
KARAOKE
DANNY BARTON/JOE CULLEN
BLAME CAESAR/MEGAPINT?
JUNIOR OPEN MIC/OPEN MIC
KARAOKE/BINGO - FANNY BURNS KARAOKE
BLACK AND GOLD CAMEO/LAST LAUGH LANE
SOUL FACTORY/OPEN MIC CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED MEGAPINT?
MAT ROBERTS
SOUL FACTORY/OPEN MIC
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY CLOSED
FRIDAY & SATURDAY - ALL LIVE MUSIC IS FREE ENTRY
EVERY SUNDAY - OPEN MIC
EVERY THURSDAY - KARAOKE
CONTENTS
SHOP LOCAL | 4
Shopping local isn’t just for Christmas, it’s for life!
BOUGHT IN BEDFORD | 5
It’s your chance to WIN a £50 voucher!
WHAT’S ON | 6
Diaries at the ready
THEATRE | 8
FILM | 11
The best of this month’s theatre Movie mayhem Oh, Christmas
HOMETOWN TOURIST | 14 GREAT BEDFORDIAN | 15
LIVE MUSIC | 12
Bring the noise
Introduction
It’s the December issue of the Bedford Clanger, which can only mean one thing - Christmas!
Hopefully, you’ve already picked up your copy Bought in Bedford, but if not there are details of where to grab one and how to enter our #BoughtInBedford competition on page 5.
Our what’s on pages feature the best family-friendly festive activities and read all about this year’s much-loved
Christmas Tree Festival on page 18. As ever, we’ve got the best of the month’s live music, theatre, film, comedy and panto to keep you entertained - and with three different interpretations of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, you’ll be spoilt for choice!
For many of us, 2024 has been a challenging year and we would like to thank all our advertisers, contributors and stockists for their continued support and for helping us showcase the best of Bedford every month.
It just remains to say, Merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy new year.
Team Clanger
MEET THE TEAM
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
Theatre: Paula Walker
Website: bedfordindependent.co.uk
The Bedford Clanger is published by Progress Publishing
Tree (festival)
The diamond herself, Sarah Fraser of John Medhurst Jewellers
Erica Roffe, Julia Course & Paul Hutchinson (Image: Two-D Photography)
SHOP LOCAL
A love letter to Bedford’s indies this Christmas
It’s a truth widely held that Bedford has more independent shops and businesses than our near neighbours, Cambridge. From restaurants and cafes to shops and hairdressers, we should count ourselves lucky that so many entrepreneurial spirits are inspired to open their businesses in Bedford.
On Saturday, 7 December, the UK’s annual grassroots campaign to celebrate these businesses returns. Small Business Saturday highlights small business success and encourages shoppers to ‘shop local’ and support the small businesses in their communities, but shopping local is for life, not just for Christmas.
Since 2011, the Bedford Clanger has been championing the ‘shop local’ mantra, quoting the Totally Locally statistic that spending just £5 a week in your local shops could impact the local economy annually to the tune of £29m.*
In addition, every £10 spent in a locally owned business can mean up to £50 going back into the local economy. What better reason to pick up a copy of our Bought in Bedford magazine to discover the very best places to do your Christmas shopping?
And if you need a nudge in the right direction, take a look at Totally Locally’s Christmas manifesto. If we all try and make a few changes, everyone will benefit.
But it’s not just about the money - our indie businesses improve how the town centre looks - especially at Christmas. The creative efforts put into their window displays put some other shops to shame and make us proud to live here.
So, from barbers to baristas, we salute the independent businesses of Bedford. You make our town unique and we thank you for choosing to open your business here. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas, filled with happy customers and ringing tills and we look forward to working with you next year to continue to raise the profile of Bedford as a town of indies.
With love, Team Clanger
Copies of Bought in Bedford can be found in most Bedford indies, as well as museums, theatres, pubs, cafes and restaurants.
*based on the number of 20 - 65-year-olds in Bedford Borough’s population of 185,300
What’s the best time on a clock? 6:30, hands down.
Image: Totally Locally
GIVEAWAY
Bought in Bedford - Christmas 2024
As the countdown to Christmas continues, it couldn’t be easier to enter our festive giveaway to win a £50 voucher from your favourite Bedford indie.
To be in with a chance to win, just follow these simple steps:
Make a purchase from one of the brilliant Bedford indieswhether it’s food, drink or gift items
Take a photo of what you’ve bought
Share the photo on Instagram using the hashtag #BoughtInBedford by Sunday, 15 December
That’s it!
Winners will be contacted through Instagram.
Good luck.
MARY ANNING ROCKS
AT THE HIGGINS BEDFORD
Display now open until 23 March 2025
Showing geological specimens and telling the stories of a pioneering fossil hunter, Mary Anning, Jurassic life and our local geology.
More information at www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk
Whether you bought your dad a bottle of red from Flying Cork, your sister a candle from The Arc, or fuelled up on burgers from Brewpoint, we want to see your wonderful #BoughtInBedford purchases.
The winner will be selected at random and will be able to choose the voucher of their choice to the value of £50.
Full terms and conditions can be found on our website at bedfordindependent.co.uk/competition-and-prize-giveaway-terms-conditions/
WHAT’S ON
Higgins Bedford hosts Glass Plate
Negative Workshop
Thursday, 5 December @ 11am and 1.30pm
As part of the Community Portrait Exhibition at the Higgins, you can take part in a free family workshop to produce a glass plate photograph of yourself, just as the Victorians did in the late 1800s.
Using a vintage camera and through the collodion wet plate system you will produce your image on glass as the Victorians did in the 1850s to 1880s. You then will be able to pick up your image after the exhibition to keep.
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane, MK40 3XD thehigginsbedford.org.uk
Festive events at Absolutely Shabbylass on Castle Road
Celebrating their first Christmas on Castle Road, Absolutely Shabbylass will be hosting a series of events through December to get everyone in the festive mood. From a wreath-making masterclass and late-night shopping event on 5 December, there will be a Christmas craft-making event on 14 December.
Find out more at the Facebook page. Absolutely Shabbylass, 108a Castle Road, MK40 3QR
A magical evening of carols at Bedford School Chapel
On Monday, 16 December, Bedford School Chapel is opening its doors to the local community for an enchanting evening of Christmas carols which will raise money for Tibbs Dementia Foundation, Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends and Prostate Cancer Research. Two choirs and over 100 choristers are singing in the concert in the school’s atmospheric Grade IIlisted chapel.
Open to all, it’s a unique collaboration between the Rotary Club of Bedford Park and Bedford School, bringing together Sharnbrook Community Choir and the Bedford Choral Society in a combined performance of both traditional carols and short seasonal choral pieces.
Tickets are available from peoplesfundraising.com/ event/carols-in-the-chapel-2024 or by emailing email carolsinthechapel2024@gmail.com
Bedford School Chapel, De Parys Avenue, Bedford, MK40 2TU
Quizzing and Book Sales at the Place
Join the Place team for their last Quiz Night of 2024 on Friday, 6 December at 7pm. Tickets for the fun-filled festive quiz are just £3 per person and money raised with contribute to their fundraising target. Doors open from 6pm with the Quiz starting at 7.00pm.
On Saturday, 7 December they will be holding their last Big Bumper Book sale of the year too - the perfect time to grab some literary stocking fillers and all in aid of The Place Raise the Roof campaign. Local author, Barbara Kastelin, will be there to talk about her latest book – Full Moon Over Kabul and there will also be an opportunity to get your copy signed.
The Place Theatre, Bradgate Rd, MK40 3DE
Bedford Christmas Markets
Saturday, 7 and Sunday, 8 December
Harpur Suite and Harpur Square @ 10am - 5pm (Saturday) 10am - 4pm (Sunday)
Explore the Bedford Christmas Market and soak up the festive atmosphere with local artisan stalls, delicious treats and free festive children’s fairground rides. The traditional charter market traders will be also bringing their festive collections at St Paul’s Square and along Midland Road and Allhallows.
Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce Christmas Market
Sunday, 8 December
St Paul’s Square @ 10am - 3.30pm
Visit St Paul’s Square for the perfect opportunity to shop small and local this Christmas at Bedford’s ever-popular Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce market.
Discover antiques, vintage and retro in their Flea section. Find an array of talented local artists and skilled makers in Affordable Art, and fill your bags and your bellies with delicious food and drink in Local Produce. There’ll be winter wreaths, festive decorations plus plenty of ideas for gifting. Warm up with mulled wine and hot chocolates and refuel with tasty street food while you enjoy the live music supported by Seeing Eye Rum, which is guaranteed to get us all in the Christmas spirit!
Free Christmas fun in Bedford town centre
Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15 December @ Howard Centre and the Old Arcade from 10.30am - 3.30pm / Free
Enjoy some family fun times in Bedford town centre with plenty of free activities thanks to Love Bedford. Get your face painted at the Howard Centre, take a selfie with Bedford’s beautiful Christmas tree in Harpur Square or by the enormous wreath at the Silver Faces and visit the Old Arcade for some free balloon models.
Eagle Gallery Christmas exhibition
Until 24 December @ Eagle Gallery, St Peter’s Street weekdays & Saturdays 10.30am - 5pm / Sundays 11am - 3pm
Browse from a range of original artworks, cards, decorations and ceramics at this year’s Eagle Gallery exhibition. The perfect place to find a unique gift created by a local artist.
THEATRE
At the Quarry Theatre this month
26 St Peters St, Bedford MK40 2NN / quarrytheatre.org.uk
Comedy: The Dark Room
Thursday 5 December 2024
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £12.50
Now in its 10th year, welcome to The Dark Room – the world’s only live-action, text-based adventure game. It’s strange, insane and addictive – it’s a choose-your-own-adventure, so choose it! How do you play? The audience is trapped in a retro videogame with a sadistic end-of-level boss. Choose your options, survive the abuse simulator that is the improv comedy overlord John Robertson, and escape to win £1,000 – or, be brutally murdered by the rest of the crowd!
Theatre: A Pleasing Terror
Friday 6 December 2024
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: from £14.50
Over a century after they were first published, the ghost stories of M R James retain their power to terrify and amuse. This gripping one-man show retells two of the earliest and eeriest.
Theatre: A Christmas Carol
Sunday 8 December 2024
The Quarry Theatre @ 2pm & 7pm / Tickets: from £13.50
Olivier Award winner, Guy Masterson, veteran of many smash hit solo works such as Under Milk Wood, Animal Farm and Shylock, now brings us Dickens’ classic festive fable. Famed for bringing multiple characters to vivid life, Masterson recreates Scrooge, Marley, the Fezziwigs, Tiny Tim et al in an enchanting, performance that will dazzle and linger long in the memory.
Theatre: Hauntings
Thursday 12 December 2024
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £15.50
Hauntings is a spellbinding evening of three tales of the supernatural from two of the world’s greatest writers of ghost stories, E.F. Benson and M.R. James.
With masterful storytelling from the award-winning actor Gerard Logan, Hauntings will transport you to a world of invisible, but terrifyingly present, spirits.
Acupuncture is a jab well done.
Theatre: Third Class A Titanic Story
Friday 13 December 2024
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £15
Third Class’ revives the true story of a young Englishman, packed off on the Titanic, destined to be corrected by his American relatives - a one-man theatre show based on the life of Titanic survivor Edward Dorking.
Edward was gay. Openly gay, and he set sail for NYC on a ticket bought for him by his parents in the hope his American family could put him ‘right’. Third Class charts Edward’s journey from boarding the Titanic to swimming for 30 minutes towards an already full collapsible lifeboat and how he, upon arriving in New York, toured the Vaudeville circuit, recreating the stories for a fact-hungry public.
But Edward didn’t want fame; he wanted revenge. When everyone was talking about the deaths of millionaires and society figures, few were discussing the people who took the lion’s share of the losses that night: the third class. Edward was coming for the upper classes.
Comedy: Castle Comedy Special 2024
Thursday 19 December 2024
The Quarry Theatre @ 8pm / Tickets: £16
Comedy Comedy is back at The Quarry Theatre with a Christmas Special featuring Jen Brister, Nathan Caton and Aaron Twitchen. Castle Comedy favourite Paul Revill will host the show.
Magic: James Phelan: The Dreamer Friday 20 December 2024
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: from £20
Internationally acclaimed star of The Greatest Magician, James Phelan, returns from his unprecedented, complete sell out, 300 date theatre tour with a brand new show.
“This dazzling, five-star rated magic show will leave you aching with laughter and dizzy in disbelief. Unlike anything you’ve seen before. Don’t miss it.”
At the Place Theatre this month Bradgate Rd, Bedford MK40 3DE / theplacebedford.org.uk
Theatre: A Christmas Carol
Thursday 12 December to Sunday 22 December 2024
The Place Theatre @ 2.30pm & 7.30pm / Tickets: from £10
The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company present a brand-new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ fantastical festive fable. Performed by a multi-talented cast in The Pantaloons’ own inimitable, hilarious and moving style this show features live music, audience interaction and absolutely no humbug!*
*There may be some humbug.
Storytelling: Exploring Weather with Kaye Leidoscope Friday 20 December 2024
The Place Theatre @ 10am / Tickets: from £2
Join Kaye Leidoskope for these lively & lovely interactive storytelling sessions for under-fives and their grown-ups. Expect songs, games, crafts and dancing …perfect for little ones to creatively learn through play!
At the Eagle Bookshop this month
16 - 20 St Peters St, Bedford MK40 2NN / eaglebookshop.co.uk
Poetry: Read Poets Society Sunday, 1 December 2024
The Eagle Bookshop @ 7pm
Tickets: Free but please book via The Place Theatre website
Join the Swan Poetry Society for their final monthly reading of poems this year on the topic of ‘Yet Another Chill.’. This regular homage to poetry and spoken word is the perfect antidote to a grey Sunday evening and it will be nice and cosy in the Eagle Bookshop, so nothing to fear there...
Panto and festive theatre in Bedford? Oh yes it is!
The panto is back at Bedford Corn Exchange this year and it’s the fairest of them all - Snow White. Shows run from Saturday, 21 til Tuesday, 31 December tickets are £22/£20/£18/£62 family ticket. Book at bedfordcornexchange.co.uk.
bedfordcornexchange.co.uk / quarrytheatre.org.uk / theplacebedford.org.uk
boiling water. You will be mist.
FILM
Bedford Film Society presents: Robot Dreams
Tuesday 3 December
University of Bedfordshire @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £5 / Members Free
DOG lives in Manhattan and he’s tired of being alone. One day he decides to build himself a robot, a companion. Their friendship blossoms, until they become inseparable, to the rhythm of 80’s NYC. One summer night, DOG, with great sadness, is forced to abandon ROBOT at the beach. Will they ever meet again?
Film: The Snowman
Saturday 14 December 2024
The Quarry Theatre @ 10.30 am, 11.45am & 1pm / Tickets: from £5.50
A young boy can’t believe his eyes one winter’s night when a snowman comes to life and an unforgettable adventure begins… Enjoy a special screening of the timeless classic animated film, The Snowman, featuring a live performance of Howard Blake’s musical score, specially adapted for brass band and performed for you by the Hitchin Band together with a pianist and young solo singer.
Film: Muppets Christmas Carol
Sunday 8 December 2024
The Place Theatre @ 3pm / Tickets: £5
Come to the Place Theatre for a joyous sing-along screening of arguably the greatest version of Dickens’ classic tale of loneliness and redemption, The Muppets Christmas Carol!We invite you to an evening of hot chocolates, mince pies and muppet mayhem.
The fun will begin at 3pm, perfect for a family afternoon out or, If you find yourself on your own why not come along and meet a room full of like-minded Muppet movie fanatics over a hot chocolate, mince pies and Muppet mayhem?
LIVE MUSIC
Moulton 77 Brass Band play Christmas carols
Sunday, 1 December
The Cellar Bar @ 4pm / Free entry
To kick off the festive season, the Cellar Bar welcomes the Moulton 77 Brass Band for a fabulous performance of Christmas Carols. The Christmas decs will be up and there will be free mince pies for customers with special Cellar Bar mulled wine available to purchase.
Christmas Orchestral Concert
Friday, 6 December
Bromham Baptist Church, Village Road, MK43 8LJ @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £15/£10
Enjoy a classical Christmas concert by the King’s Chamber Orchestra to raise money for the Utange Orphans charity.
WHITE TOWN + Guests
Friday, 6 December
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm / Tickets: £12
White Town is the pseudonym for musician/producer Joyti Prakash Mishra, most well known for the 1997 worldwide hit single ‘Your Woman’. With its trumpet hook, shuffling drum beat and plaintive lyrics, it was subsequently sampled by Dua Lipa for her song ‘Love Again’. Although still a prolific recording act, White Town do very few live shows, so we delighted to welcome them to Esquires for the very first time.
Mr Scruff
Saturday, 7 December
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm | Tickets:
After 20 years, Esquires is finally bringing Mr. Scruff to Bedford for a mammoth five-hour set. Manchester-based Mr. Scruff has been DJing since 1984, and his DJ sets can range from deep soul/funk/reggae/afro/jazz /latin/hip-hop to harder-edged electro/house/new wave/techno /electronic all knitted together with supreme technical skill and a keen sense of fun.
Philharmonia Brass at Christmas
Tuesday, 10 December, 7.30pm
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £14 - £40
Christmas time and brass music go hand in hand, so join the Philharmonia Orchestra’s brass ensemble for an evening of seasonal music for the first time at the Bedford Corn Exchange. The Philharmonia’s dazzling brass players take the spotlight in this carefully curated programme of carols, festive favourites and more.
Cantamus at Christmas
Tuesday, 10 December
All Saints Church, Renhold @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £10
Conductor Gary Mudd and organist Paul Edwards join Bedford’s chamber choir, Cantamus for ‘O Magnum Mysterium’, choral music for the Christmas season. Ticket price includes seasonal refreshments and all proceeds go to to All Saints, Renhold.
Music: Glen Miller & Rat Pack Era
Saturday, 14 December
The Quarry Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £27
Recapture the sounds of a bygone era as the Nick Ross Orchestra presents ‘an unmissable evening of music and song’ – the Classic Big Band Sound of the 40s & 50s with a liberal “sprinkling” of very special Christmas Big Band arrangements.
I’m going to try velcro instead of shoe laces. Why knot?
Blame Caesar
Saturday, 14 December
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / Free entry
From their first gig at the Cellar Bar in October 2023, this fivepiece have been cooking up indie bangers ever since. Featuring Joe Cullen, Max Randall, Chris Benner, Lui Tomlinson and Ed Bavister, the band released their debut single Shall We Dance in July 2024.
The Black and Gold
Friday, 20 December
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / bar opens at 6pm / Free entry
The Black & Gold played their first full gig ever at The Cellar Bar on St Patrick’s Day and went down a storm. Fronted by Rich Taylor on guitar and vocals with Samantha Hughes (banjo/ vocals), Mary Wilcockson (fiddle), James Lewin (drums), Dan McGrath (harmonica) they’ll be playing songs by The Pogues,
The Dubliners, American-Irish and upbeat trad tunes. And of course, it’s Christmas so there are bound to be some ‘Fairy Tales’ to be told…
English Teacher DJ set
Saturday, 21 December
Bedford Esquires @ 9pm / Tickets: £10
Esquires’ Forever Indie club night returns for a Christmas special this month, with very special guest DJ, Lily Fontaine of the Mercury Prize-winning English Teacher. Lily will be dipping into her record box to bring an evening of indie bangers, mixed with tracks that have had an influence on her and the band.
Support as always, comes from ex-Pad resident, Sam Voidoid, who will keep the party running into the early hours.
Pearl Handled Revolver
Sunday, 29 December
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £10
Pearl Handled Revolver return to their home venue for their annual festive extravaganza show. The PHR Esquires shows have become a highlight of the year for many… a chance for the band to pull out all the stops. As part of the tradition, the band select a superb support; this year it is London-based modern prog trio Tieger.
HOMETOWN TOURIST
Bedford Christmas Tree Festival
Wednesday, 4 - Sunday, 8 December @ St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square, MK40 1SQ
Wed-Sat 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm | Entry £3 / Under 16s go free
The countdown is on for the annual Bedford Christmas Tree Festival as it once again casts its spell over St Paul’s this December and sprinkles some festive magic for visitors of all ages.
From 4 - 8 December, the festival returns for its 24th year, featuring 68 glittering trees decorated by local community groups, schools and businesses on the theme of ‘The Magic of Christmas’.
Against this sparkling backdrop, a total of 42 choirs and other performers will entertain guests throughout the festival. On the evening of Friday, 6 December, Amici Music will perform music by Handel, Mozart and a selection of seasonal favourites. Tickets for the concert are £20 and include a glass of wine and a mince pie. Book your tickets at peoplesfundraising.com/ concert-tickets
Tickets (£10) are also available for the ‘Fizz at the Festival’ private view on the opening night and can be booked by emailing treefestival@stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk or from the church office in St Paul’s Square.
Once again, visitors can vote for their favourite tree and children can win a book token by spotting the magical themes within the festival trees.
The event is a vital fund-raiser for St Paul’s Church and Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends, with last year’s visitors donating a record-breaking £24,000 for the two charities.
This year, with your help, funds will go towards refurbishing two dedicated cancer care side rooms on the children’s Riverbank Ward at South Wing, Bedford Hospital Charity and Friends.
“These rooms will allow patients to receive rapid specialist treatment to combat infections, without having to travel further afield.”
“The Festival requires immense dedication from some 330 volunteers and office staff to ensure that everything runs smoothly. The Committee is grateful to the Festival’s main sponsor, Jayne Beard Associates, and to many other sponsors, businesses and individuals. New volunteers are always welcome.”
Architects are good at coming up with concrete plans.
Christmas Tree Festival 2022
Christmas Tree Festival 2023 Pearly King
GREAT BEDFORDIAN
This month’s Great Bedfordian is a champion of Bedford’s independent shopping scene and a great supporter of the Bedford Clanger
Sarah Frazer (née Medhurst) grew up in Bedford but left to study history and politics at the University of Sheffield before returning home to work for her Dad, John, in the family business - John Medhurst Jewellers.
Sarah has spent the last 22 years working alongside him and has been appointed as a Fellow of the National Association of Jewellers.
“I look forward to many more years of business in Bedford and working alongside neighbouring businesses to raise the profile of our ever-changing town,” said Sarah and we couldn’t agree more.
Name:
Sarah Fraser (née Medhurst)
Occupation:
Owner of John Medhurst Jewellers and mum of two.
Born here or blow in?
Blow in aged eight, but very much feel as though born in Bedford. My mum and maternal family are all Bedford born and bred.
Best breakfast in Bedford?
Frescoes - our lovely neighbours on Mill Street. Highly recommend their full English or banana pancakes. Their lunches are delicious too!
Best boozer?
Brewpoint is great for drinks and you’ll find me showing my competitive streak over a game of shuffle board there. I also love Bridges, not a boozer in the traditional sense, but they do great cocktails and sharing boards.
Best coffee or cuppa?
Frescoes again! But when down by the river Longholme do a great cuppa which goes very nicely with their Longholme Hash.
Best gig you’ve seen in Bedford?
Nile Rodgers and; Chic, with a guest appearance by Bedford’s own Alfie Templeman at Bedford Summer Sessions was amazing!
Esquires always have excellent acts - Ultimate Coldplay just one the great bands I’ve seen there.
Ever read John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress?
Bits and pieces when I was at school - it’s a rite of passage.
Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger?
Yes - main and pudding in one, it’s genius.
An off-the-beaten-track gem that everyone should know about?
John Medhurst Jewellers, not that I’m biased! Boutique Planet and The Arc are not to be missed.
Best Bedfordian?
There are far too many incredible Bedfordians to mention just one. Our town is full of dedicated people, like my father, trying to help build Bedford in to a great place to live, shop, work and visit.
Three words that best sum up Bedford?
Determined, community, vibrant.
Coffee Frescoes / Image: Frescoes Facebook
Sarah Frazer / Image: Sarah Frazer - John Medhurst
