In the Stix

Felmersham cartoonist shortlisted for national award

James Mellor, whose illustrations feature regularly in Private Eye and of course bedslife magazine, has been shortlisted for the Political Cartoon of the Year Awards 2022.

The awards, which take place annually, celebrate the UK’s leading cartoonists from the national press. “It’s great to be shortlisted again,” said James. “It’s a crowded field this year and there are some really good cartoons by famous names in the running but sharing a category with brilliant cartoonists who I’ve looked up to for years is part of what makes it exciting. It also means that my cartoons get to be seen by a whole new audience – people who don’t read Private Eye or follow my social media feeds – which is great too.”

It’s been a busy year for James who also released his fourth cartoon book in November. Quarantoons – Cartoons From A New Normal follows on from his previous books Drawn From History, Brexit; A Drawn Out Process and Drawn From Lockdown – Cartoons of a Plague Year.

“My new book is a collection of my best cartoons from the past two years. It’s not entirely focussed on the pandemic but, given it has been the major news story, covid is the central theme. The illness, rules, and restrictions have made the last couple of years pretty grim and finding the humour has been important for coping and keeping going. Hopefully the book is a helpful way to see the funny and bizarre side of recent events.”

James, who also creates original cartoons for bedslife magazine each month, is enjoying life in Felmersham after moving to the pretty village a year ago: “My wife grew up in the village so is happy to be living close to friends and relatives again. Felmersham is familiar to me too as we were married in St Mary’s Church. Slowly but surely, the children and I are adapting to a more rural way of life. We’ve started keeping chickens and are enjoying walks in the beautiful countryside around the meandering river.”

You can see more of James’ cartoons in each edition of bedslife magazine. His latest book, Quarantoons: Cartoons From A New Normal is available from all good booksellers and at

www.jamesmellorcreative.com

Dickens returns to Sharnbrook theatre

Following a triumphant performance of A Christmas Carol in 2020, Gerald Dickens, the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens, is set to return to Sharnbrook Mill Theatre.

In December 2020, after months of lockdown, The Mill Theatre re-opened with the internationally acclaimed A Christmas Carol. The one-man show was a sell-out with Gerald Dickens playing over 30 characters, using vocal and physical talents, bringing each scene vividly to life.

Gerald Dickens will now present his one-man production of Great Expectations at The Mill Theatre for just one Saturday night performance on 5 February 2022.

Tickets are available from Little Box Office and Picka-Lily Florist located at the rear of 61 High Street, Sharnbrook, MK44 1PB. www.thelittleboxoffice.com

Volunteers needed for Stevington Flood Risk Group

Stevington Environment Group is setting up a new Flood Risk Group to help residents become more ‘resilient’ to local flooding. The group is now looking for community-spirited individuals, of any gender or age, to get in touch.

If you are willing to help in any capacity, please email clerk@stevington-pc.gov.uk. You may have organisational skills. You may be willing to help with a specific area of the village. You may have emergency responder skills. No-one will be asked to do anything that they are not comfortable doing – but we can all do something to help those most affected.

Bedford Borough Council will help to design a flood plan and provide equipment once volunteers have been found. Anyone interested in setting up a Flood Group in their community can get in touch at floodrisk@bedford.gov.uk

New vision for historic Mill

Positive negotiations with Bedford Borough Council are continuing to enable Bromham Parish Council to secure a lease and transform Bromham Mill, helping to realise its full potential as a heritage asset for the local community.

The Mill Coffee Shop, which opened in August, is already proving a key attraction and plans are afoot to transform the Mill House and outbuildings into a range of amenities which could include a farm shop, small retail, craft vendors, wellness facilities, beauty treatment rooms and even a restaurant.

Prospective tenants should contact the Parish Clerk for further information at www.bromham-pc.gov.uk

Do you have some village news to share? Email jacqui@bedslifemagazine.co.uk Copy deadline for the February issue is 12 January.