Bedslife January 2017 (What's on)

WHAT'SON Your essential guide to activities, clubs, events and lots more in your area. There’s something for everyone!

ARTS, CULTURE & TALKS Bedford Art Society Friday 6th January 7.15 for 7.30pm start Maxine Copeland will talk to us about linocut, her principal medium. She is interested in pattern and structure and in the play of light and dark.

Entry is free for members, £5 for visitors.

Contact Jean Paterson 01234 307210 or www.bedsartsociety.co.uk for information Bedfordshire Family History Society Friday 6th January 7.15 p.m.

Interested in Family History? Come along to our next monthly talk on ‘A Nazi in the Family’ given by Derek Neimann held in the Drama Hall of Mark Rutherford School, Wentworth Drive, Bedford MK41 8PX Members free, visitors £1. www.bfhs.org.uk Shakespeare and the Globe Tuesday 10th January 7.30pm Illustrated talk by Patrick Spottiswoode Director of Education at the Globe Theatre, London. Patrick is a brilliant speaker who has been with the Globe for over 30 years. He will cover not only the huge range of work performed at the theatre but also how its educational work reaches out to schools, higher education colleges and communities far and wide to bring Shakespeare alive. Bedford School Library, de Parys Ave, Burnaby Rd gate. Free to HA members (Historical AssociationBedford). Others welcome with a donation.

Details 07989 837819/01234 266839 Bedford Local Group of The Wildlife Trust Wednesday 11th January Meeting 7-30 pm 'An Introduction to the Moths of Bedfordshire' an illustrated talk by Andy and Melissa Banthorpe All welcome, no charge but voluntary contributions are appreciated.

Further details available under Events on www.wildlifebcn.org or at 01234 266057 Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ. Plenty parking available.

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Bedford Architectural, Archaeological, & Local History Society Wednesday 11th January 7:30pm Illustrated talk: "Roman Complex at Manton Lane in Bedford – Overview and Latest Research Findings" Steven Cockings (UNAS) & Elizabeth Sayer (BAALHS) Non-members welcome – £2-00 entry Enquiries (01234) 365095 Putnoe Heights Church & Community Centre Bedford MK41 8EB. www.baalhs.org.uk Bedford National Trust Association Tuesday, 17th January at 2.30pm The speaker will be Michael Brown, “ The Historic Gardener”.His topic is “Death in the Garden”, poisonous plants, myths, magic and murder.Be warned, many of these plants may be growing in YOUR garden.

It costs £2.50 to attend and a little more if you are a guest. Tea and biscuits will be served.

If you decide to come you will have a warm welcome.

For more information contact Betty Thomas on 01480 860 421.

The meeting is in the Addison Centre in Kempston.

Bedford RSPB Local Group Thursday 19th January 7.30 Martin Davies presents: ‘Wildlife of Turkey’ The richness of birds, mammals, dragonflies & flowers clearly shows the diversity of the wildlife of Turkey.

Suitable for Experts and Novices, RSPB membership not essential. Entrance fee, group members £1 Guest £2 annual group membership £5 ARA club Manton Lane Bedford MK41 7PF. www.rspb.org.uk/groups/bedford

CLASSES, CLUBS & GROUPS Linedancing Mondays at Priory Methodist Church Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ Beginners/Improvers (Absolute Beginners Welcome) 7.30pm – 8.30pm Starts 9th January 2017 www: http://dancingstars.comli.com/ Tele:07969847553 Kempston and District Model Railway Society Meets every Monday from 7.30pm-10pm At the Church of the Transfiguration rear church hall.

New members welcome.

Contact Brian Woodcock on 07795251988 or brianwoodcock@btinternet.com Silver lining Club for the silver haired.

Park Road Methodist Church Roff Avenue, opposite the high flats. Number 10 bus stops outside.

FREE. 2pm-4pm every first Tuesday of the month.

Various activities or just sit and chat with a cup of tea or coffee

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Over 70’s Gentle Exercise Classes Every Monday and Wednesday (except bank holidays) Mondays – Bedford Central Library (3rd floor meeting room) Wednesday – Bedford International Athletics Stadium. £4 per session Tel 01234 718835 www.bedford.gov.uk/sport

teenagers and activities include: Art and crafts, board games, outside play in the warmer months and hanging out with friends!

Pine Cones Family Centre, (behind Livingstone Lower School) Clapham Road, Bedford.

For further information please contact the club leader Jeff Smith on 07798 762 808.

Rotary Club of Bedford de Parys Meet for breakfast every Tuesday at The Embankment Hotel 7.15am for 7.30am start.

Fellowship, fundraising and interesting speakers www.bedforddeparysrotary.co.uk

MENCAP – Sparkle Club Wednesdays in term time between 7.00pm – 9.00pm a social club for adults with learning disabilities. It is held on Putnoe Primary School, Church Lane, Bedford MK41 0DH. Bedfordshire Family History Society welcomes new members at their monthly meetings held in the Drama Hall of Mark Rutherford School, Wentworth Drive, Bedford MK41 8PX on the 1st Friday of every month but see under What’s On for details of this month’s talk given by an invited expert in genealogy. Members free, visitors £1. Contact Lynn on 01234 306482 www.bfhs.org.uk

Scottish Country Dancing – Beginners class.

Tuesday evenings 8pm -10pm ARA Social Club, Manton Lane, Bedford £2.50 per session, first evening free. Singles welcome No experience/partners needed. Wear soft shoes.

Keith Rose 01234 781448 keith@krose.plus.com Bedfordshire Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.

Meetings:- 1st Tuesday evening each month 7.30 – 9.30pm 3rd Saturday 10.30am. – 4.30pm each month.

A friendly group of lovers of textile related crafts have changed venue to Flitwick Village Hall, 11 Dunstable Rd, Flitwick, Bedford MK45 1HP Local Friendship Group Welcomes new members We meet at a local public house every Wednesday at 8pm Call 07790 904736 or 07925 910639 Email: friendshipclub365@gmail.com Enjoy Irish Ceili and Set Dancing.

Every Wednesday 8 pm to 10 pm at the Reading Room, 1, Barkers Lane, Bedford. £2 per session – first evening free. No partner required.

Beginners welcome.

Ring Pat [01234 308224] for more details.

Evening Handcraft – Knitting, Stitching and lots of other hand crafts 4th/18th January – 1st & 3rd Wednesday of most months.

Enjoy craft and good conversation with a relaxed group who support one another. Plus a whole craft shop to shop in if you want to. £4.75 per session which includes any drink off the O For Coffee menu.

Tudor Rose Patchwork Unit 1, Oakley Park, Station Road, Oakley MK43 7RB Phone 01234 824983 for further details.

MENCAP – Smiley Club Wednesdays 7pm – 8.30pm A fun social club for boys and girls from 9 to 18 who have learning disabilities.

The club has a band of loyal volunteers, mostly

Bedford Pipe Band welcome new members.

Thursdays 7.30pm – 9.30pm Friendly & relaxed group beginners to experienced.

St John’s Church hall (MK42 0DL), Bedford.

Contact Pipe Major Donald Reid 01234 268475 Mrs. Barrett (Band Secretary) 01234 360967 www.bedfordpipeband.org.uk Bedford Gallery Quire 1st, 3rd, 5th Thursday of each month 7.30 pm Priory Methodist Church, Newnham Ave, Bedford We welcome those interested in singing/playing'West Gallery’ music from the early 18th century to the mid19th century. www.bedfordgalleryquire.org.uk Contact Ken Baddley 01234 310018 Bedford Folk Dance Company Meet Thursday eve 8 – 10 pm.

We are a friendly Country and Folk Dance Club Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford MK41 8EB It’s good fun for only £2.50 incl. Refreshments No partner required Ron Law 01234 825574 www.bedfordfolkdanceclub.com Magpie Ladies Group A friendly group who meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm At St Mark’s Church, Calder Rise, Brickhill. (No meetings in August) Guest Speakers and social events Tea/Coffee and cake included. New members welcomed. Please Contact: Rosemary 01234 405594 or Barbara 01234 304960 Art Friends – New Art Group Art for Fun and Friendship For All Every Thursday 9.30am – 12.30pm Bromham Baptist Church. Enquiries please call Jackie 01234 825663 / 07880 518465

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON

Flower School Thursday evenings 5pm – 7pm April Flowers, 90 High Street, Clapham Various arrangements covered with a demo followed by the opportunity for students to complete the same design which they can take home.

Booking essential Call Amy on 01234 343335 / 07794 827137 P.M Bridge Group First and third Thursdays of each month 11am to 2.45pm Friendly duplicate bridge Good standard buffet lunch £6 including lunch, tea or coffee. Renhold Village Hall.

Tel Ann on 01234 212066 Linedancing Thursdays Kempston Hammers Social And Sports Club 134 High Street High Street Kempston Bedford MK42 7BN Beginners/Improvers (Absolute Beginners Welcome) 7.00pm – 8.00pm Starts 5th January 2017 Improver/Intermediate 8.00pm – 10.00pm www: http://dancingstars.comli.com/ Tele:07969847553 Bedford Fine Companions Folk Dance Club We are a long established folk dance club who meet every Friday in term time from 8pm to 10pm at Hazeldene School Bedford MK41 9AT (use Hartshill entrance). No partner required. Contact David Cooke on 01234 823920, www.finecompanions.synthasite. com or find us on Facebook Friday Daubers This friendly group of amateur daubers meets at 5 Lansdowne Road Bedford every Friday between 1pm and 4pm to spend a few hours enjoying our hobby.

Between us we use a variety of media. If you enjoy drawing and/or painting why not join us. If you are interested why not contact one of us to find out more – Anne 07548 840856 or Jenny 01234 824568 or email Marianne marianne.sellers@virginmedia.com

COMMUNITY / CHARITY EVENTS Table Top Sale at Christ the King Church Sat 21st Jan and Sat 18th Feb 9am to noon Entry 50p. Children free Refreshments available Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP Great Barford Quiz Night Friday 20th January In the Village Hall, bar open from 7pm, quiz starts 7.30pm, £7 per person including fish & chips supper, teams of 4, book your team with Louise 01234 870443.

Quiz night at Christ the King Church, Fri 27th January 7.30pm Tickets £6.50 includes fish & chip supper Tickets available from 01234 965497 Bar, Raffle. Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP Bedford Farmers Market Every 2nd and last Thursday of the month Local producers market with a range of fresh locally produced supplies.

Harpur Square Bedford 8.30am – 3pm

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A Different Brew – A Cafe with a difference 106 Clapham Road, Bedford Licensed to sell alcohol with food.

Sunday menu includes a roast, different meat each week. Staffed by adults with learning difficulties working both front and back of house.

A Different Brew is a project of Beds Garden Carers (BGC) Find us on Facebook Beds Garden Carers – Learning Disabilities Charity. Tel 01234 341925

HEALTH & WELLBEING Bedford Macular Support Group Third Monday of each month at 10:30 am.

Volunteer Centre, 43 Bromham Road Offering practical and emotional support to people suffering central vision loss or Macular Disease.

Speakers on a range of related topics.

Info 01234 781372 Hearts In Beds Cardiac Support Group First Tuesday each month 7pm Priory Methodist Church Halls, Newnham Ave, Bedford, MK41 9QJ (We hold a gentle exercise session from 7 – 7-30 pm under a qualified trainer. Everyone welcome, you don't need to have a cardiac condition to join us.

Raffle at the end of the evening.

Contact Sid Luff, 01234 404671 or Ted Jolliffe 01 234 327791 for further details of the Group.

MUSIC, DANCE & THEATRE St Andrew’s Church presents: Sing-along Jungle Book New Years Day – Sunday 1st January 3pm Start 2017 with a sing-along to a Disney Classic Popcorn and soft drinks will be available along with Fairtrade tea and Coffee from the St Andrew’s Fairtrade Shop. We hope that you will be able to join us for what promises to be an afternoon of fun, laughter and singing. No need to book, just come along. Entrance is just £1 per person, so why not dress up and bring a friend along to monkey around.

St Andrew’s Church in Kimbolton Road, Bedford.

Beguiled by Betjeman Saturday 7th January at 3.00pm A Concert with Sir John Betjeman’s Poetry mostly in musical settings by John Gould, Donald Swann & Paul Edwards Featuring Four singers, narrator and accompanist St Owen’s Church, Bromham Entry via Bromham Park at MK43 8LL Adults £8 – u16 £3 Tickets from 01234 825454 (mornings) or 01234 826551 (evenings) Bedford Organ and Keyboard Club Wednesday 25 January 7.30 – 10.00 pm Present MARK THOMPSON in Concert Members £5 Non-Members £6 Pay at door Addison Centre, Kempston, Bedford Tel: 01234 344423. www.organfax.co.uk/clubs/bedford

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SPORTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES RSPB Winter Wonderland Walk Monday 2 January 10:30am – 12:30pm A bracing walk to blow away the Christmas and New Year celebrations and see what wildlife is about as we start the New Year at The Lodge.

Keep the Christmas spirit alive by enjoying hot mulled wine and mince pies around the open fire at the end of the walk. Costs including mulled wine and mince pie; RSPB members £6, non-members £8, RSPB Wildlife Explorers £3, children under 14 £4.

Booking essential Tel 01767 693333 The Lodge nature reserve The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL RSPB The Big Garden Birdwatch warm up event at The Lodge Saturday 21st Jan 11 am – 2 pm Sunday 22nd Jan 11 am – 2pm The RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch will be held on January 28/29/30 and we are holding a warm up event at The Lodge to get prepared for the biggest weekend in the RSPB calendar. Wrap up snugly and join our friendly RSPB staff and volunteers to get useful tips on identifying the birds coming to the feeders, information on the Big Garden Birdwatch survey, giving nature a home and feeding your garden birds.

Join a guided walk setting off at intervals throughout the event to search for the birds that spend the winter on the reserve. There will be a binocular and telescope demonstration throughout the event and children can get mucky hands by making fat balls to take home to feed their own garden birds. While you are here, top up your RSPB bird food ready for the following weekends survey. Hot soup for sale, along with a range of hot drinks, sandwiches and snacks from the RSPB shop.

Donations welcome on the day, small charge for fat balls and guided walks. Car park and reserve entrance charges apply to non-RSPB members Booking not required Bedford Parkrun every Saturday Meet at The Bandstand at 9am.

Join us for a 5km run around the park (dogs, children and buggies all welcome).

Register for free on the Parkrun UK website http://www.parkrun.org.uk Rambling Club We're a friendly walking group who meet on a Sunday morning for a 5/6 mile walk.

For further information or a copy of our programme please contact brclub75@yahoo.co.uk or phone 01234 360769.

Ouse Valley Archers Currently offering a four week introduction in target archery. Courses run by Archery GB approved coaches and all equipment is provided. For experienced archers or those who have completed a beginners course the club shoots indoors/outdoors on Tuesday & Thursday 7.00pm – 9.00pm and Sunday 2.00pm – 4.00pm at Putnoe Primary School & Field Bedford For further details visit our website or contact info@ ousevalleyarchers.com

Walking Football Summer sessions at Bedford Cricket Club Mondays 7-8pm Thursdays 2-3pm For more information and to book a place please email: info@walkingfootballleagues.co.uk Mowsbury Park Bowling Club Try lawn bowls for FREE any Wednesday or Friday 2pm to 4.30pm.

Just bring flat shoes.

For more info about our club please contact Anne Haynes on 01234 211828 or visit our NEW web site www.mowsburyparkbowlsclub.co.uk Health Walks – Forest of Marston Vale Wednesdays 10.30am Free, no need to book. Most walks start at Reception but some elsewhere – see notice board or ring 01234 767037. The Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Beds MK43 0PR Bedford FC Mini Soccer Club Every Saturday at Goldington Academy 10.30am till 12.15pm.

Open to boys and girls aged 4-10yrs.

Cost per child £3.00 and £5 for two children.

Our sole aim is to provide children of all abilities with a unique footballing experience, developing their physical, social and communication skills in a safe environment. Full usage of toilet and changing facilities and plenty of car parking spaces. www.bedfordfcminisoccer.com.

Bedford Girls and Ladies FC We are a voluntary sports club for girls age 8 and upwards. If you’d like to find out more info please call Jill on 01234 772668 or 07850540631.

Mander Badminton Club Friendly badminton club looking for new members of a reasonable standard Every Tuesday evening 7-9pm at Bedford Modern School Sports Hall Visitors £5 per session – 1st Session free Contact Anita Watson Tel: 01234 930047

BedsLife Magazine cannot be held responsible for any changes, amends or cancellations of an event.

To list your event in February please email christa@ bedslifemagazine.co.uk

by Monday 16th January

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