‘Colour and Light’a new exhibition at The Higgins Bedford
The Cellar Bar
craft beers ~ hand made cocktails ~ live entertainment monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday
Cameo/Five Five Six
Cong-Fusion/Open Mic
Karaoke
Highstone
Generation 5pan
Daytime Disco/Open Mic
Karaoke
Samantha/Cameo
MegaPint?
Junior Open Mic/Open Mic
Karaoke
Lord Baker
The Krakens
Soul Factory/Open Mic
Karaoke
FEBRUARY 2025 EVENTS Sat 1 Sun 2 Thu 6 Fri 7 Sat 8 Sun 9 Thu 13 Fri 14 Sat 15 Sun 16 Thu 20 Fri 21 Sat 22 Sun 23 Thu 27 Fri 28
Mat Roberts & J37
FRIDAY & SATURDAY - ALL LIVE MUSIC IS FREE ENTRY
EVERY SUNDAY - OPEN MIC EVERY THURSDAY - KARAOKE
opening times WHAT’S ON Free Live Music
sunday closed closed varies 6pm - LATE 6pm - LATE 6pm - LATE 3pm - 11pm
Drag Shows ~ Comedy
Daytime Disco ~ Karaoke
Open Mic ~ Soul Factory
Cocktail Masterclass
Bottomless Afternoon Tea
ART & CULTURE | 4
WHAT’S ON | 6
‘Colour & Light’ illluminates The Higgins Bedford Diaries at the ready
THEATRE | 8
The best of this month’s theatre
Introduction
Welcome to the February issue of the Bedford Clanger, your guide to the best of what’s going down in our little town.
As the days begin to get longer there’s plenty to look forward to this month. The Panacea Museum is reopening for Spring with a new exhibition by mother and daughter artists Jacqui and Lauren Saunders-Love and you can find out more in our Hometown Tourist section on page 18.
FILM | 12
MEET THE TEAM
HOMETOWN TOURIST | 18
FOOD & DRINK | 13
Film forever The Oakley Arms Harrold
LIVE MUSIC | 14
Bring the noise
The Panacea Museum reopens Nothing fishy about Gary Hooper
On Saturday, 15 February, the Higgins Bedford is showcasing more of the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection, including iconic pieces by JMW Turner, John Singer Sargent, Sonia Delaunay, Peter Blake, and Chila Kumari Singh Burman in its new ‘Light and Colour’ exhibition. Read our interview with artist Alison Goodyear (page 4) to find out about her new work which features in the show - and on our cover.
We’ve also got the best of this month’s theatre, live music, classical music, comedy and more. Plus, this month’s Great Bedfordian, fishmonger Gary Hooper.
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
Cover Design: Alison Goodyear
Food & Drink: Paul Hutchinson
Theatre: Paula Walker
Website: bedfordindependent.co.uk
The Bedford Clanger is published by Progress Publishing
Erica Roffe, Julia Course & Paul Hutchinson (Image: Two-D Photography)
ART & CULTURE
‘Colour and Light’ illuminates The Higgins Bedford
Art from the 18th century to the present day will be on display at The Higgins Bedford in its new exhibition, exploring the fascinating relationship between Colour and Light.
Opening on Saturday, 15 February and running until 2 November 2025, the exhibition will showcase works from The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection, including iconic pieces by JMW Turner, John Singer Sargent, Sonia Delaunay, Peter Blake, and Chila Kumari Singh Burman.
A highlight of the exhibition will be the inclusion of ‘Cecil and Kali’, a vibrant work by Burman created during her residency at The Higgins in 2003. This unique piece incorporates her signature colourful accessories alongside objects from the museum’s own education collection.
Colour and Light will also feature a specially commissioned artwork by Bedford-based artist, Alison Goodyear, entitled ‘Light & Colour’. This immersive digital experience, created in collaboration with four Bedford community groups and is inspired by the works in the exhibition.
Speaking to the Bedford Clanger, Alison said: “Funding provided by the Rural England Prosperity Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund grants, was a great opportunity to deliver an innovative series of virtual reality painting workshops to diverse groups of people aged between 13 - 84 years old from four community groups based in Bedford.”
Alison’s collaborators produced group-made virtual abstract paintings in VR in the same immersive space, drawing on works from the internationally renowned Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection, at the Higgins Bedford.
“I then filmed these paintings in VR, and post-produced and scored them as a final animated film called ‘Colour and Light’ (2025), which will be installed in the upcoming exhibition. And with the help of local creative technologist, David Thatcher, we produced the Virtual Reality artworks as Augmented Reality works, where visitors to the exhibition will also be able to view the digital artwork using their own phones, via QR codes.”
The exhibition is free to attend and will be accompanied by a series of events, including tours, lectures, and a study day. A full-colour exhibition catalogue will also be available for purchase from The Higgins Bedford gift shop. The exhibition is curated by Dr Mary O’Neill, contributing author to ‘Henry Scott Tuke’, Professor Christiana Payne, previously curator of Landscape and Imagination at Compton Verney and author of ‘Pre-Raphaelites: Drawings and Watercolours’, and Victoria Partridge, Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art at The Higgins Bedford.
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane, Bedford MK40 3XD | nearest parking @ Lurke Street multi-storey car park (four hours free parking every day/all day Sunday) thehigginsbedford.org.uk
For her birthday, my mom asked me for something groundbreaking. So I got her a shovel.
Cecil and Kali, Chila Kumari Singh Burman 2003
A First Rate Taking on Stores by JMW Turner / The Higgins Bedford
Light and Colour by Alison Goodyear
INTERVIEW: BETWEEN
Bedfordians Gemma and Leo Telford are hoping that their new book, ‘Between’, will change peoples lives. Collaboratively written, it charts their family’s journey as Leo has transitioned to a trans man. With mother and son writing a chapter in turn, the book is a unique insight into the thoughts, feelings, fears and triumphs from each point of view and is a must-read for anyone wanting to look beyond the culture wars and understand real experiences of real people. Through their raw honesty, the most wonderful story and truly deeper understanding emerges beyond the X posts and clickbait headlines.
“We want this book to be read by everyone, from trans people to people who aren’t trans and don’t have experience of
Community Portrait
Past, Present and Future Photography
trans people,” said Gemma. “There is so much negativity and demonisation around the trans community in the media but we want to show that we’re just ordinary people who certainly don’t have all the answers but want to share our story.”
Did you decide to be right-handed? Or did you decide to be straight? Or do you just know you ‘are’? Well, that’s what being trans is.
Leo, ‘Between’
In the 2021 census, just 0.5% of the population identified as trans, however the topic has dominated the media and politics, often with damaging consequcences. “Visibility is key to understanding,” said Leo. “It’s vital to hear positive stories and see trans people living happy, normal lives. I hope this book goes some way to helping others going through what we went through.
“10 years ago there was nowhere for me to turn and very little visibility of trans people. Voices are getting heard more, representation is getting better but there’s still a long way to go to build more understanding. We just hope that by sharing our story, we can help in someway.”
‘Between’ by Leo and Gemma Telford is published on 12 February and is available to preorder from Waterstones, Foyles and Amazon.
Leo & Gemma Telford / Image: Alex Wood
WHAT’S ON
Poetry: Read Poets Society
Sunday, 2 February
The Eagle Bookshop @ 7pm / Tickets: Free but please book via theplacebedford.org.uk
Join the Swan Poetry Society for their monthly reading of poems and prose reflecting the season. This month’s theme is – Pipe Dreams.
The Eagle Bookshop, 16 - 20 St Peters St, Bedford MK40 2NN
Family fun: Get Ogre It! An Ant n Shrek musical journey
Tuesday, 18 February @ 6.30pm
The Quarry Theatre / Tickets: £7.50 / kids under 14 go free
a musical journey. This original production adapted from Shrek has been created by members with learning disabilities and/ or autism and is certain to leave the audience amazed and thoroughly entertained.
The royal family are left in crisis by a kidnap and an evil curse. Ant and Shrek reluctantly make a deal to rescue her under pressure from some of the evilest bullies in the land. On the way they meet some strange friends and sinister foes, encounter magic spells and of course, spend lots of time in the local pub - with plenty of music and mischief along the way. Audience participation is greatly appreciated. Highly recommended by Clanger HQ!
For tickets, either email info@lovelivingitup.org or visit wegottickets.com/event/645656
Irish Folk Night
Thursday, 6 February
The Castle pub, Newnham Street @ 8.30pm / Free entry
The
Higgins Highlights Tour
Thursday, 6 February
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane @ 11.15 – 12.15pm £6.85, Concessions £5.50 – Booking Essential
Take part in an introductory tour of the highlights of The Higgins Bedford featuring Bedford’s heritage. To book a place call the Box Office on 01234 718044 (open Tues – Sat 10am – 4pm) or vist thehigginsbedford.org.uk
What did the quilt say to the bed after it fell on the floor? “Oh, sheet!”
Join Living It Up Performing Arts Centre for their highly entertaining annual theatre show ‘Get Ogre It! - an Ant n Shrek -
A great fun evening of foot-tapping Irish tunes to sing along to.
Reminiscence Mornings
Every Thursday @ 11am – 12.30pm
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane
Free entry / refreshments £1 / no booking necessary
Join in with friendly and informal reminiscence coffee mornings. A great way to meet new people, be inspired by memories and stories of the past.
SEND family yoga
Wednesday, 6 February
John Bunyan Centre, Mile Road, Bedford MK42 9TS @ 7.30pm - 8.30pm
£5.15 per family / first session free
A family-friendly yoga session for those with Special Educational Needs, incorporating sensory experiences, story yoga, imaginative meditation, group and paired work. Take part in laughter yoga and Pranayama breathwork, helpful for children to help them regulate emotions and instil calmness.
SEND yoga booking info: email johnbunyan@gll.org
Bedford Producer Hub Webinar: Budgeting and Fundraising
Thursday, 6 February @ 5pm - 6pm Online event / free
This webinar, hosted by Bedford Creative Arts in partnership with 1Degree East, serves as a basic guide to setting and monitoring a budget for a creative arts project. The webinar will recommend a useful budget template and help creatives understand the terminology and principles of good budget management. It will also include an introduction to different forms of income generation and signpost sources of further information about fundraising.
To book, visit ticketsource.co.uk/bedford-creative-arts
Bedford Repair Cafe
Saturday, 22 February @ 10am-3pm (last walk in 2.30pm)
Project 229, Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8DA / free entry
Got a wonky bike? Malfunctioning toaster? Sticky zip or broken toy? Then the Bedford Repair Cafe is here to help. Returning to Project 229 in Kempston for its first event in 2025, get one item per household fixed for free by local volunteers.
No need to book, just turn up. Find out more at facebook.com/ bedfordrepaircafe
Love Libraries Month
This month is a celebration of libraries, with a host of events at venues throughout Bedford Borough.
On Tuesday, 11 February, local best-selling author, Ruth Hogan, will be at Bromham Library at 11am, talking about her books and life as an author. Just £2 to attend and tickets are available in advance at bedford.gov.uk/libraries.
On Wednesday, 19 February, the board game cafe, Ready Steady Roll, will be popping up at Bedford Central Library with a selection of games for families to enjoy in the library from 11am-4pm. It’s completely free and you can just turn up and play.
Nicky Perfect will be at Bedford Central Library on Wednesday, 26 February at 1.30pm, talking about her experiences of hostage negotiation and from her non-fiction book, Crisis. Nicky is a communication coach, speaker, author. £2 to attend and tickets are available in advance at bedford.gov.uk/libraries.
Throughout half term, Bookstart Bear will also be making some special appearances at all Bedford Borough Libraries. Free, just turn up.
THEATRE
The best of this month’s theatre, hand-picked by Paula Walker
At The Place Theatre this month… theplacebedford.org.uk
Community Theatre: From Scratch
Saturday, 1 February
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £10
From Scratch is Bedford’s very own short play scratch night, aiming to provide a platform for new and upcoming artists to
share their work. Playwrights, directors and actors will have the opportunity to showcase their talents as as series of short plays is staged in the legendary Place Theatre. It will be an evening of raucous fun with a line-up of brand spanking new short plays to keep you entertained.
Theatre: Kin
Thursday, 6 & Friday, 7 February
The Place Theatre @ 7.30 pm / Tickets: from £10
Two estranged sisters meet after twenty years and in a remote cottage, over a single night they bury the hatchet. As their dying father lies in the room next door they’re forced to confront who they were and who they’ve become. When the only person they
have left in common disappears, is their relationship worth saving?
This darkly comic tale examines how a sibling can be both your best friend and your worst enemy. And asks the question: how can you forgive the past when you can’t even agree what it looks like?
Community Theatre: Platform Thursday, 13 Friday, 14 & Saturday, 15 February 7.30pm Thursday & Friday | 2.30pm & 6pm Saturday / Tickets: Pay What You Can from £7
It’s 2023. Charlie, Alex and Olivia are growing up in the postCovid world and things are starting to get weird. Charlie is battling with conspiracy theories, Olivia can’t get anyone to like her posts and Alex is just a troll (In more ways than one). Follow the lives of three teenagers on their journey through life and see how they cope with the twists and turns of social media. From TikTok to Insta via Snapchat, their lives will never be the same again.
Community Theatre: Blithe Spirit Tuesday, 18 - Saturday, 22 February 7.30pm / Tickets: from £12
Noël Coward’s hilarious farce takes place in the quaint English countryside as Charles Condomine, a successful novelist, is seeking inspiration for his next book. To gather material, he invites the eccentric medium Madame Arcati to conduct a séance at his home, much to the amusement of his wife, Ruth, and their friends. However, the evening takes an unexpected turn when Madame Arcati inadvertently summons the mischievous spirit of Charles’s first wife, Elvira.
With her ghostly charm and wit, Elvira decides to stick around, creating havoc and hilarity as she meddles in Charles’s current marriage. Caught between his two wives—one alive and one deceased—Charles finds himself in a whirlwind of supernatural shenanigans. As he tries to navigate this new reality, the tension and laughter escalate, leading to a series of comical and unpredictable events.
Theatre : Forgotten in the Land of Egypt Thursday, 27 February @ 7.30pm / Tickets: from £16
In 1631, The Fens, the flat area of land stretching from Cambridge to Norwich, were drained. In 2050, The Fens return to the sea. Two children play in the waterscape. They tell tales of a mythic Waterman, who scours the water for sunken parts. But, in the bitter struggle for survival, soon the play adopts a more sinister note. Meanwhile in Ely, 2023, a priest gets a visit from a woman haunted by prophetic dreams.
It’s a play about grief, faith, and the climate crisis; the crashing confluence of past and present; the refusal to heed the warnings we’re given.
The Place Theatre, Bradgate Rd, Bedford MK40 3DE
Our pick of what’s on at the Quarry Theatre this month… quarrytheatre.org.uk
Comedy: Matt Forde: End of an Era Tour @ 7.30pm Friday, 7 February / Tickets: £17.50
Finally, the UK has a new government. That can only mean one thing: new people to take the piss out of. Leading political comedian and satirist Matt Forde (British Scandal, Spitting Image, The Last Leg) makes this his personal mission.
Comedy: Castle Comedy Valentine Special Friday, 14 February 8pm / Tickets: £17
Castle Comedy is back at The Quarry Theatre for Valentine’s Day with headliner Cally Beaton. A natural storyteller, Cally’s set is full of intelligent, distinctive, and punchline-rich material and her TV appearances include being a regular panellist on BBC’s QI and starring in the Live at the Apollo Christmas Special in 2022.
Also on the bill are Richard Moreton, described as “possibly Newcastle’s finest export since the famous brown ale” he has nailed the twin talents of musicianship and comedy into one
AT THE HIGGINS BEDFORD
Tuesday 18 to Friday 21 February
www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk
perfectly suited package and Wayne the Weird mixing stand-up with mind-boggling magic tricks. Host with the most, Paul Revill will be holding it all together.
Children’s Theatre: Room on the Broom Sunday, 16 February @ 1.30pm / Tickets: from £13
Based on the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Comedy: Ed Patrick: Hold Your Breath Friday, 21 February @ 7.30pm / Tickets: from £14
NHS anaesthetist, comedian and author, Ed Patrick injects Bedford with a gut-punchingly hilarious show about becoming a junior doctor, the NHS, the pitfalls of modern medicine and the power of questioning it. There’s plenty of laughing gas to go round.
Children’s Theatre: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Saturday, 22 & Sunday, 23 February 1pm & 3pm Saturday; 11am & 1pm Sunday / Tickets: from £13.50
The critically acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show created by Jonathan Rockefeller features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets, faithfully adapting four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Busy Spider and of course, the star of the show – The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Very Hungry Caterpillar has delighted generations of readers since it was first published in 1969 selling more than 48 million copies worldwide.
Theatre: It’s the Economy Stupid Monday, 24 February @ 7pm / Tickets: from £12.50
Based on a true story of a family caught up in the 90s recession, It’s the Economy, Stupid! reveals the humanity behind economics. Armed with bags, boxes and an old board game, Joe Sellman-Leava and Dylan Howells embark on a quest to uncover how the economy wins elections, and why the force that dominates our lives is so bloody complicated. The show is touring the UK after its sold-out, critically acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe!
Comedy: Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time Friday, 28 February @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £32.50
From the quote attributed to Mark Twain, humour is defined as Tragedy Plus Time. Come and join Ed as he tests that formula by mining the most tragic event in his life for laughs.
As seen as Hosting Live At The Apollo and regular appearances on QI and Mock The Week (BBC).
The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s, St Peter’s Street, Bedford MK40 2NN
FILM
Popcorn at the ready, some great films are coming our way this month…
Bedford Film Society
University of Bedfordshire @ 7.30pm / Tickets: £5 / members free Didi
Tuesday, 4 February
In 2008, during the last month of summer, before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.
The Promised Land
Tuesday, 11 February
In 18th century Denmark, Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) sets out to tame a vast, uninhabitable land. He seeks to start farming crops, build a colony in the name of the King, and gain a noble title for himself. This land is under the rule of the merciless Frederik De Schinkel, who realizes the threat Kahlen represents to his power. Struggling against the elements and local brigands, Kahlen is joined by a couple who have fled the clutches of the rapacious De Schinkel. As this group of misfits begins to build a small community in this inhospitable place, De Schinkel swears vengeance, and the confrontation between him and Kahlen promises to be as violent and intense as these two men.
Totem
Tuesday, 18 February
In a bustling Mexican household, seven-year-old Sol is swept up in a whirlwind of preparations for the birthday party for her father, Tona, led by her mother, aunts and other relatives. As the day goes on, building to an event both anticipated and dreaded, Sol begins to understand the gravity of the celebration this year and watches as her family does the same. This poignant and emotionally expansive film from Lila Avilés (The Chambermaid) cements her skill at directing dynamic ensemble performances.
Zone of Interest
Tuesday, 25 February
The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.
Bedford Film Society, University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue, MK41 9EA / bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk
Stevington Cinema Club
Stevington Village Hall / times and prices vary
The Great Escaper
Thursday, 13 February
Based on a true story, Bernard Jordan (Michael Caine) escapes from his care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France.
NT Live: The Importance of Being Earnest
Thursday, 20 February
Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy.
While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.
Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.
Stevington Village Hall, Court Lane, Stevington, MK43 7QT / stevingtoncinemaclub.uk
What’s the problem with scientists? Periodically, they’re wrong.
THE OAKLEY ARMS
Head to Harrold for first class dining
Words like incredible and wonderful are often overused, but they perfectly describe what’s on offer at The Oakley Arms in Harrold.
Situated in one of Bedford Borough’s prettiest villages, this 19th-century pub was taken over by Andy and Lizzie in 2021. An experienced chef and talented pastry chef respectively, they have worked hard to make their mark on this historic venue.
While the Oakley Arms retains its sense of history, it’s no longer just the local boozer it may have been in years gone by. Instead, it’s a place to enjoy exceptional food in a welcoming atmosphere.
Shown to our table, we were offered drinks and nibbles while we looked through the menu. With Black Country roots, I couldn’t resist the pork scratchings. Served with apple butter, they were light, crisp, and hinted at the creative dishes to come.
For starters, we chose cheese soufflé and ham hock. The ham hock was tender and packed with flavour, served alongside gnocchi and rarebit made with local beer. The combination of umami and tanginess was outstanding. The cheese soufflé, made with cheese from a nearby farm, was light, creamy, and indulgent.
For mains, I opted for pigeon breast with a leg confit samosa and the most creative way of serving saag aloo I have ever encountered. The layers of spiced potato and spinach perfectly complemented the melt-in-the-mouth gaminess of the pigeon. Across the table, the sea bass with Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, and smoked butter sauce was a delicate, perfectly balanced dish.
Although nearly full, we couldn’t resist dessert. I chose a butterscotch crème brûlée, firm and creamy, served with puffed grains and a yoghurt sorbet. My partner’s liquorice ice cream was a nostalgic treat that she said brought back memories of childhood.
It was a wonderful meal, and it’s clear that the team really do care about the food they serve, not only is it cooked to perfection many of the ingredients are sourced locally, meaning their carbon footprint is low and they’re supporting other Bedford businesses too.
So, book a table and head to Harrold, you won’t regret it.
The Oakley Arms can be found at 98-104 High Street, Harrold, BEDS MK43 7BH.
Wednesday to Friday: 12:00pm to 11:30pm Saturday: 12:00pm to 11:30pm Sunday: 12pm to 7pm
Book by emailing hello@theoakleyharrold.co.uk, calling 01234 720166 or heading to theoakleyharrold.co.uk/bookings.
Andy & Lizzie, Owners & Chefs of The Oakley Arms in Harrold / Image: The Oakley Arms
Layers of spinach and potato form an exceptional Saag aloo
Butterscotch crème brûlée
Cheese Soufflé & Ham Hock
LIVE MUSIC
CEREMONY 4.5
Saturday, 1 February
Bedford Esquires @ 2pm / Tickets: £22.50
The first music all-dayer of the year at Esquires, featuring headliners Divorce plus Heartworms, TTSSFY, KYNSY and more… Since appearing at Ceremony in 2023, Divorce have gone from strength to strength confirming their status as one of best new bands out there. Heartworms will be bringing their industrial ‘defiant goth inspired postpunk’ sonic barrage to Bedford and across the day you’ll hear the ethereal beauty of TTSSFU, the hook-filled indie rock of KYNSY, the Gossip-meets-St Vincent stylings of Congratulations, the disco inferno that is Vanity Fairy, Fontaines DC-inspired noise from Cucamaras, the dark artrock of M Y N K and the lo-fi allure of newcomers Wonderbug.
Gilles Peterson presents Independent Venue Tour
feat Oreglo
Sunday, 2 February
Bedford Esquires @ 4 - 8pm / Tickets: £20
Small independent venues are the lifeblood of the British music industry both as places where artists, bands and DJ’s can develop their craft but also as places where audiences can discover and develop musical bonds that can last a lifetime. As part of a wider effort to shine a light on this vital part of our cultural landscape and celebrate it in all its diverse musical glory, DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson is going on the
road for the first instalment of his Independent Venue Tour. He will accompanied by the young, upcoming band Oreglo and bookending the event with a DJ set.
Jazz Afternoon Tea featuring Cong-Fusion & Gina Sedman
Saturday, 2 February
The Cellar Bar @ 4.00pm / Tickets: £25-£55
A two-hour bottomless afternoon tea with jazz accompaniment from Cong-Fusion. Choose from vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options prepared by Julia from Creme Brew Lait.
Making their debut at The Cellar Bar, Cong-Fusion combine Afro-Cuban, Latin, funk, soul and jazz with the added bonus of Bedford-based Californian soul singer, Gina Sedman joining them.
Live music: Highstone Friday, 7 February
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / bar opens @ 6pm / Happy Hour @ 6pm - 9pm / Free entry
Head to the Cellar Bar for Highstone’s mix of 70’s and 80’s dance music mixed with a good set of sing-along hits from Stevie Wonder, The Bee Gees, Chic, The Temptations, Kool & The Gang, Luther Vandross, Earth Wind & Fire, Santana and more. Or if artists like Van Morrison, The Eagles, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Mavericks and Wilson Pickett are more your style, you’re in the right place.
What did the drummer say when he had to start the song over? “Oh well, back to snare one.”
Classical music: Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra with guest conductor Cathal Garvey
Saturday, 15 February
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm / Tickets: prices vary
Anatoly Liadov’s composition The Enchanted Lake is a marvel of mystical serenity, with sounds that are vivid and picturesque; a fairy-tale tone poem, and it will begin the Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra’s February concert. The Benjamin Britten Violin Concerto, a most beautiful and emotionally complex
work, will be played by one of the most promising international violin soloists of his generation, Charlie Lovell-Jones. Sibelius’ unconscious emblem of national liberation, his Symphony No. 2, Opus 43, will conclude the concert.
Under 18s Open Mic Night Sunday, 16 February
The Cellar Bar @ 5pm / Bar opens @ 3pm / Free entry
The Cellar Bar is throwing its doors open to the next generation of Bedford musicians, with a dedicated junior open mic session for under 18s.
Whether you sing, play guitar, drums, or any other musical instrument, or are a band already, you are welcome to take part. It’s a chance for you to perform on a stage in front of an audience with a full pa, drum kit, amps, lighting.
Hosted by none other than Mat Roberts, Mat will be on hand to offer support and advice, as well as doing a few jam sessions of his own.
Double header: Lord Baker Soul & Ska Show all night until 1am
Friday, 21 February
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / Free entry
An incredible Soul and Ska show that will get you dancing from the first song. Lord Baker really knows how to entertain and we guarantee you will not be disappointed.
James Taylor Quartet + The Hurricanes
Saturday, 22 February
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm / £22.50
One of the pioneers of the Acid Jazz scene, JTQ have taken their distinctive trademark howling Hammond sound to the masses for over 30 years; still famed for their upbeat, energetic live shows with no sign of slowing down. Guest support comes from The Hurricanes – a raucous blend of loud garage/Mod vibes, channelling the soulful groove of 60s Soul, the rhythmic pulse of R&B, and the rebellious spirit of Boss British Beat, as if transported straight from the iconic year of 1966.
Soul Factory: Sunday Afternoon Chillout with DJ Rocky & Guests
Sunday, 23 February
The Cellar Bar @ 3pm / Free entry
Head to the Cellar Bar for an afternoon of pure soul, funk, RnB, Motown and Northern Soul classics with Soul Factory.
She Drew The Gun Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm | £16.50
She Drew The Gun returns to Bedford Esquires for the first time since their sold-out show in 2019. Now heading towards their fourth album, the project is the brainchild of Louisa Roach, who has steadily released a string of excellent music over the last decade.
2016’s debut ‘Memories of Another Future’ was swiftly followed by a crowning as Glastonbury Festival’s Emerging Talent Competition winner. The follow-up ‘Revolution of Mind’ was named one of BBC 6 Music’s Albums of the Year, while 2021’s ‘Behave Myself’ saw record praised as “some of her most finessed and contoured songwriting to date”.
Free recitals @ St Paul’s church
Tuesday 4th February 1pm
Changyu Yin (piano)
Tuesday 11th February 1pm
Aisha Palmer (Philharmonia: harp)
Saturday 15th February 12 noon
Ivan Linford, Organ Recital
Tuesday 18th February 1pm
Pau Hernandez Santamaria (Philharmonia: trombone)
Tuesday 25th February 1pm
Tom Thornton (Philharmonia: trumpet)
I used to hate facial hair, but then it grew on me.
HOMETOWN TOURIST
Sect Education - the Spring reopening of Bedford’s fascinating Panacea Museum
After a busy closed season, the Panacea Museum is getting ready to welcome visitors back for 2025 when it reopens on Thursday, 6 February with freshly painted walls and exciting new exhibitions exploring the story of the unique religious sect.
This gem of a museum, located in the heart of Bedford, tells the fascinating story of the Panacea Society, a Christian society founded in 1919. The Society created its own ‘Garden of Eden,’ with a unique spiritual community centred around the Victorian buildings that now house the museum, including ‘The Haven’ and ‘Castleside’ on Newnham Road, and Founder Mabel Barltrop’s home on Albany Road.
Set amidst beautifully maintained grounds, the museum’s outdoor spaces are already beginning to show signs of Spring, echoing the sense of renewal as the Museum embarks on another exciting year of exhibitions and events.
To mark the reopening, a new exhibition is launching on 6 February, featuring the work of Bedford-based mother and daughter artists, Jacqui and Lauren Saunders-Love. Entitled Vessels - Mother and Daughter, the duo have responded to the Panacea story and the relationship between Mabel and Dilys Barltrop.
Lauren has spent many hours creating photographic art inspired by the museum’s collections, whilst Jacqui has made her signature intricate paper sculptures reflecting the society’s buildings. There will be associated talks and events along with the exhibition, with details on the Museum’s website.
The museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am- 4pm from 6 February to 29 March, and moves to summer hours from 3 April. Entry to the museum and exhibition is free.
You can find out more about the museum and this year’s programme of events and exhibitions at their website here panaceamuseum.org/events.
The Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd, Bedford MK40 3NX. Nearest car park: Lurke Street multi-storey or St Peter’s Street.
I don’t trust trees. They’re shady.
The Panacea Museum entrance on Newnham Road / Image: Panacea Museum
Lauren Saunders-Love working in the Museum / Image: Panacea Museum
GREAT BEDFORDIAN
This month’s Great Bedfordian is fishmonger extraordinaire, Gary Hooper of GCH Fishmongers on Newnham Street.
Gary started in retail in 1980 at Bejams in the bus station in Bedford, and in 1981 he went on to work at Safeway where he stayed for 23 years.
He has also mentored the next generation of fishmongers at the Billingsgate Training School and ran a consultancy business to train fishmongers at Tesco. In 2010 he was elected as President of the National Federation of Fishmongers.
In 2015, Gary opened his Bedford shop with his youngest son George. The business has grown rapidly and they have been joined by older son, Oliver, followed by Gary’s wife of 37 years, Caroline. In 2019 Gary was recognised as the first UK Master Fishmonger, with a presentation of the award by the Princess Royal.
The business opened a processing factory in Marston Mortaine last year which services over 100 of its wholesale customers, including the Higgins Pantry, Amici, La Terraza, The Birch at Woburn, Fratellis, The Black Horse at Ireland and many more across the county including an 12-pub chain that with sites from Hemel Hempstead to Ely.
Phew!
Best breakfast in Bedford?
The Longholme Cafe do a mean Breakfast Roll and the scenery is particularly pleasant which is a bonus.
Best boozer?
Herd and Beerfly - not technically boozers but I like them. I also use The Ship in St Cuthberts Street.
Best coffee or cuppa?
It has to be Vanilla Tree!
Best gig you’ve seen in Bedford?
Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel at The Corn Exchange.
Ever read John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress? No.
Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger?
My maternal Grandmother made a mean Bedfordshire Clanger which my sister Julie and I used to enjoy as children when we went to stay with my grandparents in Harrold.
An off-the-beaten-track gem that everyone should know about?
Danish Camp, enjoy walking there with my lovely English Bull Terrier Boycee.
Best Bedfordian?
Name:
Gary Hooper
Occupation:
Owner and MD of GCH Fishmongers.
Born here or blow in?
Born here on the 1 January 1964.
It’s got to be Sir Wiliam Harpur on a serious level and on a personal level my late brother-in-law, Ian Wagstaff AKA Waggy a real Bedfordian character who loved the town.
Three words that best sum up Bedford?
Welcoming, multicultural and vibrant.
Gary (centre) outside the Newham Street shop / Image: GCH Fishmongers
Beerfly / Image: Beerfly Instagram
