EVENTS 2018 April
The Longholme Cafe Walking Quiz Tuesday 3rd – Saturday 7th This free event is for all ages and incorporates all the favourite parts of doing a traditional quiz but with a twist. Groups will need to follow a trail around the Lake / island in the form of ribbons or discreet ties. Mounted quiz sheets attached in a non-intrusive or permanent way guide players around a set route answering questions as they walk. Players will collect their quiz papers from the Café, this will be the start & finish point for the activity. All evidence of the event will be removed after the last day, any posted questions will be in the form of A4 sheets, mounted on thin board, attached with rope on suitable trees or posts. The Embankment, Bed ford MK40 3QF Tel 01234 954913 https://www.facebook.com/ events/2057484041201389/ John Bunyan Boat Jazz Cruise 19th Apr, 17th May, 21st Jun, 19th Jul, 16th Aug, 20th Sep, 18th Oct Departing from the Barns Hotel at 19.30pm for a 2 hour round trip, tickets £20 per person. Licensed bar available on board. At an extra cost, you can select a fish supper or a picnic box (£8) to go with your ticket. Book online. www.johnbunyanboat.org Santa Pod Festival of Power Friday 30th March – Sunday 1st April 2018 An action-packed Easter weekend for the whole family featuring the famous annual Jet Car Shootout! Watch the Nitro Funny Cars, Top Fuel Dragsters and the National Drag Racing Championships. Plus a full line-up of displays and attractions including Monster Trucks, stunts, sideshows, traders and more. Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.santapod.com
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Eagle Gallery Pat Ellis, Keith Wells and Sue Wookey “Escapes” Saturday 7th April to Saturday 14th April. Three artists escape into real and imagined journeys and encounters, explored through their love of watercolour, photography and other mediums 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel 01234 346995 www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk Kathy Brown’s Gardens Tuesday Afternoons at Stevington Manor House April 24th to September 25th Four and a half Acres of Wonderful Gardens Church Rd, Stevington, Bedford MK43 7QB www.kathybrownsgarden.com Santa Pod Big Bang Friday 27th – Sunday 29th April This springtime VW festival features VW Drag Racing, invited race classes and VAG only RWYB with Live Action Arena, Show & Shine, traders and a chilled-out family atmosphere with kids entertainment! Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.big-bang.co.uk
May
John Bunyan Boat Afternoon Tea Cruise 2nd May, 6th Jun, 4th Jul, 18th Jul, 1st Aug, 15th Aug, 5th Sep, 19th Sep, 3rd Oct Enjoy an afternoon cruise on the River Great Ouse with a stop at the beautiful Barns Hotel for Afternoon Tea before returning by boat to Sovereigns Quay. Departing from Sovereigns Quay at 14.30pm and returns at 6pm. £26 per person including the afternoon tea. Licensed bar available on board. Book online. www.johnbunyanboat.org
June
John Bunyan Boat Motown Cruise 10th May, 28th Jun, 12th Jul, 9th Aug, 13th Sep, 11th Oct Departing from the Barns Hotel at 19.30pm for a 2 hour round trip, tickets £15 per person. Licensed bar available on board. At an extra cost, you can select a picnic box. (£8) Book online. www.johnbunyanboat.org Kathy Brown’s Gardens Stevington Manor House May 7th Bank Holiday Monday 1-5pm May 28th Bank Holiday Monday 1-5pm Church Rd, Stevington, Bedford MK43 7QB www.kathybrownsgarden.com Eagle Gallery Artists “How do we do it” Monday 21st May-Thursday 14th June Special exhibition by Eagle Gallery artists explaining their methods and techniques of working; demonstrations and talks are being planned for the weekend Saturday 26th May-Monday 28th May 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel 01234 346995 www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk Santa Pod FIA Main Event Friday 25th – Monday 28th May The hugely popular “Main Event” presents 4 days of high speed drag racing action over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend and is the 1st round of the prestigious European Championship. Witness the groundshaking, nitro-burning 300mph Top Fuel Dragsters which accelerate from 0-100mph in less than 1 second plus 200mph Drag Bikes and a full range of supporting classes. With the famous Jet Cars, Monster Trucks, air displays and Live Action Arena shows this is the perfect event for drag racing fan and families alike! Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.santapod.com
Bedfordshire Brickworks Exhibition – Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre Saturday 2nd June 10am – 4pm Andrew Mortlock, London Brick Archivist, will be bringing an extensive collection of archives, photographs and ephemera connected with the brickworks that used to dominate the landscape along the section of the Marston Vale Line between Bedford & Ridgmont and other areas of Bedfordshire. Free entry! Ridgmont, Bedfordshire MK43 0XP www.bedsrcc.org.uk/ridgmontstation-heritage-centre John Bunyan Boat Folk on the Boat Cruise Thursday 14th June Departing from the Barns Hotel at 19.30pm for a 2 hour round trip, tickets £17.50 per person. Licensed bar available on board. At an extra cost, you can select a picnic box. (£8) Book online. www.johnbunyanboat.org Joanna Stone ”Shakespeare’s Women” Saturday 16th June-Saturday 23rd June Joanna presents a series of Portraits and drawings that bring some of Shakespeare’s female characters to life. Full of comedy or pathos, many of Shakespeare’s women find themselves in situations that strike a chord today. Perhaps surprisingly, they each project strengths we can recognise and relate to. 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel 01234 346995 www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk Exhibition of local children’s artwork at The Higgins Bedford. 16th June – Sunday 26th August as part of the Harpur Trust Art Competition. Theme is ‘Where is your happy place’ www.harpurtrust.org.uk John Bunyan Boat 20th Jun, 11th Jul, 22nd Aug, 12th Sep, 10th Oct. Anchor Lunch Cruise, Great Barford Time in the week? Take a great cruise on the beautiful Great Ouse between Bedford and Great Barford. Lunch at The Anchor and then return by coach. Departing from Priory Marina at 10:00am and arriving at The Anchor aprox 13:00pm. £35 per person including lunch. Coach departs from the Anchor to return at 3pm. Book online. www.johnbunyanboat.org
The Longhole Cafe’s GIN YARD – Mediterranean Saturday 23rd June After a successful duo of dates in 2017 with high demand for tickets we return with our first GIN YARD of 2018. A night of Mediterranean inspired foods set in a restaurant style with live music & of course Gin cocktails. This is a set menu experience of food and drink and may be run over a couple of sitting times. The Embankment, Bedford MK40 3QF Tel 01234 954913 Santa Pod Summer Nationals Saturday 30th June – Sunday 1st July National Drag Racing Championships headlined by MSA 200mph Pro Mods, Drag Bikes, Nostalgia classes and the Jet Car. Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.santapod.com
July
Santa Pod Dragstalgia Friday 13th – Sunday 15th July A weekend dedicated to race cars, bikes and hot rods from a bygone era with Jet Car, live music, swap meet, Show & Shine (with the NSRA), Cracklefest, fire burnouts and more. Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.dragstalgia.co.uk The Longhole Cafe’s The Big Feed – River Festival Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th A dedicated event for the 2018 Bedford river festival. This event is open to the general public. The Embankment, Bedford MK40 3QF Tel 01234 954913 www.facebook.com/event/ Santa Pod Bug Jam 32 Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd July The original and best VW festival featuring VW Drag Racing, RWYB, huge music line up across 5 arenas, comedy, Show & Shine, BMX display, funfair, massive trade village and more. Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.bugjam.com
Eagle Gallery Sarah Janavicius “A Walk By Nature” Saturday 21st July to Saturday 28th July. Sarah’s Watercolours and Collages inspired by a sensitive study of colour, form and texture. Building an understanding of the unity and mystery of nature’. 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel 01234 346995 www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk Eagle Gallery Artists “Representation” Monday 30th July-Thursday 16th August Work by gallery members with the theme “Representation” 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel 01234 346995 www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk Kathy Brown’s Gardens Stevington Manor House July 22nd Sunday Garden Open plus Dog Garden Party with Canine Partners Church Rd, Stevington, Bedford MK43 7QB www.kathybrownsgarden.com
August
Eagle Gallery Eagle Gallery Artists “Abstraction” Saturday 18th August-Thursday 6th September Work by gallery members with the theme “Representation” 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel 01234 346995 www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk Santa Pod UK Monster Truck Nationals Sunday 19th August The Top UK Monster Truck Showdown! Monster Truck Freestyle action including caravan crushing & awesome BUS JUMPS!!! Plus Pit Party, FMX, Monster Truck Rides and lots more family fun. Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.monstertrucknationals.co.uk Santa Pod Junior Drag Racing Fun Day Thursday 23rd August FREE spectator admission! A fun family day out showcasing junior drag racers. With Monster Truck rides, children’s activities, static car display and sideshows. Tickets subject to availability. Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.santapod.com
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September
Santa Pod FIA European Finals Thursday 6th – Sunday 9th September Exemplifying the very greatest, fastest and loudest spectacles in drag racing, this final round of the hotly contested European Championship gathers the most brutal machines in Europe and pits them head to head in an epic battle to be crowned 2018 Champion. With the famous Jet Cars, Monster Trucks and Live Action Arena shows, this event is unrivalled for both the quality and quantity of racing. Don’t miss Nitro cars running at dusk on Friday evening! Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.santapod.com Eagle Gallery Saturday 7th September – Saturday 15th Caroline Lumb and Adrian Marden “Images and Ideas” These two Eagle gallery artists are exploring the relationship between images and ideas. Working in different ways and with different media they share a belief that art work should promote discussion and raise comment. 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel 01234 346995 www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk
October
BedPop Fun Palaces: 10am – 5pm Saturday 6th and 2pm – 5pm Sunday 7th October Science, art and culture collide at Bedford’s annual Fun Palaces events. Dozens of hands-on activities, workshops and demonstrations will be taking place in venues all over the town centre and everything is completely free www.bedpop.co.uk Santa Pod National Finals Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th October National Drag Racing Championship Finals headlined by the wild 200mph Pro Mod doorslammers! See over 20 supporting classes inc ACU Championship Drag Bikes, Junior Dragsters and many Nostalgia favourites. Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.santapod.com
Eagle Gallery Jane Upstone, ‘Force of Nature’ Saturday 12th October to Saturday 20th October Using a wide range of different media Jane’s work is inspired by the natural world around her. Picasso said “There is no abstract art. One always has to begin with something. One can then remove all appearance of reality, one runs no risk. For the idea of the object has left an ineffaceable imprint.” This trace left in the mind by an encounter with nature provides the starting point for Jane’s work. 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel 01234 346995 www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk Santa Pod Flame & Thunder Saturday 27th October An action-packed day for all the family featuring motorsport stunts and Drag Racing. Witness 300mph Nitro guzzling Top Fuel Dragsters, Jet vehicles and Drag Racing demos. Stunt displays including Monster Trucks and Stunt Riders. Plus funfair, bonfire and huge firework finale! Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.santapod.com
November
Santa Pod Fireworks Frenzy Saturday 3rd November An evening of family entertainment with monster truck, two and four wheeled stunts topped off with a bonfire and firework display. Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough NN29 7XA www.santapod.com The Longhole Cafe’s GIN YARD – Winter Warmers Saturday 17th November A night of hearty comfort food set in a restaurant style with live music & of course Gin cocktails. This is a set menu experience of food and drink and may be run over a couple of sitting times. The Embankment, Bedford MK40 3QF Tel 01234 954913
Eagle Gallery Sue Meville, Janet Cook and Anja Penger-Onyett “3 Dimensions: Paint, Clay and Stitch” Saturday 17th November-Saturday 24th November Sue, Anja and Janet explore three different exciting approaches to art which reflect their passion for nature 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel 01234 346995 www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk
at Bedford Corn Exchange
There’s entertainment for everyone!
Eagle Gallery Christmas exhibition Monday 26th November-Monday 24th December Eagle Gallery Christmas exhibition with handmade Christmas-tree decorations on sale in aid of a local charity 101 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QP Tel 01234 346995 www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk Bedford’s Christmas Lights Switch Thursday 22 November, at 7pm, along The Embankment. Everyone is invited to attend this free Christmas event when Bedford Borough Council will light up the town with another magnificent firework display to mark the start of the Christmas period. www.bedford.gov.uk/leisure_and_ culture/outdoor_events
Iain Stirling: ‘U Ok Hun? X’
Richard Herring
The Elton John Story
Thursday 10th May, 8.00 pm Tickets: £20.00
Friday 1st June, 8.00 pm Tickets: £17.50
Saturday 30th June, 7.30 pm Tickets: £17.00
December
The Longhole Cafe’s Xmas Fair & Grotto Sunday 16th Market Stalls, Live music & Santa’s grotto The Embankment, Bedford MK40 3QF Tel 01234 954913 A Very BedPop Christmas Saturday 2nd 11am – 5pm & Sunday 3rd 2pm – 5pm The best of Bedford’s artists, designers, makers and crafters return to the Higgins for the festive season’s best pop up! As well as dozens of stalls, take part in crafty workshops, enjoy beautiful carol singing and it may even snow... www.bedpop.co.uk
In & Around Bedford cannot be held responsible for any changes, amends or cancellations of an event. We advise that you always check ahead to avoid disappointment. 70 In & Around Bedford 2018
What’s On
The Magic of Motown
Russian National Ballet: Nutcracker
Thursday 21st June, 7.30 pm Tickets: From £25.00
Wednesday 21st November, 7.30 pm Tickets: From £21.00
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For full show info and to book, please call 01234 718044 or go to www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk