YOUR FREE COPY BEDFORD BOROUGH EDITION
BULLETIN
MAY 2016
INSIDE: 18 pages of Arts, Theatre, Music, Shows, Comedy, Dining and lots of local events
BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 3
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East West rail link is good news
Network rail’s preferred option for the Central Section of the route is the Bedford–Sandy– Cambridge corridor.
The proposed Central Section would connect with the Western Section of East West Rail via a geographic ‘corridor’ that starts in the Bedford area and progresses towards Sandy and on to Cambridge. Network Rail will publish written documentation, analysis and evidence supporting the decision in May. Once the methodology behind the Bedford-Sandy-
SERVICING
Cambridge corridor is published, further analysis and consultation will take place to determine options for the ‘line on a map’ route. Cllr Sue Clark, Deputy Executive Member for Regeneration at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “It is incredibly important we continue to make progress with the Central Section, as its completion means faster and better rail services for Central Bedfordshire, bringing essential infrastructure to support housing growth and the prospect of more jobs.” Erica Blamire, Principal Strategic Planner at Network Rail, said: “In reaching our decision on the Central Section we have assessed the benefits and costs of several potential broad corridors, with input from rail industry stakeholders and regional working groups, including the local authorities in the East West Rail Consortium and the Department for Transport. “We’ve considered the station catchment areas for population and employment, operating costs, forecast passenger demand,
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demand for short and longer distance journeys, and the impact on reducing crowding on the London rail network. “We’ve also considered the infrastructure needs, train service opportunities and wider impacts that the railway would have. This work has allowed us to reduce the 20 potential corridors which were originally identified down to this single corridor which the evidence indicates offers the best return on investment.”
East West Rail seeks to provide more, faster and more reliable services connecting East Anglia with Central, Southern and Western England to improve connectivity and support economic growth. Work is already underway on the Western Section of East West Rail. A new passenger service between Oxford Parkway and London Marylebone via Bicester Village started in October 2015. Services will operate from Oxford from December 2016.” Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “It’s excellent news that the ‘corridor’ for the central section will be Bedford onto Sandy and then Cambridge. It’s the right decision for the line as a whole and it’s the right decision for Bedford. The exact route of the line is still to be determined, and we will continue to press Network Rail to ensure that the final scheme maximises the economic and practical benefits for local residents.”
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The Bedford Bulletin is an independent magazine with no affiliation to any other organisation. Published by © 2016 Rosetta Publishing Ltd. 30 Radwell Road, Milton Ernest, Bedford MK44 1SH. Tel: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952 Email all departments:pat@rosettapublishing.com. Printed by: Mortons Print Limited, Newspaper House, Morton Way, Boston Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR.
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Bedford men receive their Legion d’honneurs
TWO British D-Day veterans have just been awarded the Legion d’honneur, France’s high distinction. Jim Donachie, a Royal Engineer from Bedford and Richard Wood, of the Royal Navy have each been honoured. Both were in Normandy, at Juno Beach, on June 6, 1944. Jim, as an engineer, landed and then went with the troops all the way to Germany, putting up temporary pontoon bridges to cross the Rhine and the Elbe, to replace those destroyed by the retreating German army. Jim, just 19 at the time, is now nearly 93 and still remembers it vividly. He said “It was absolute chaos at first and did not get much easier. Many of my friends and colleagues were left on the beach and many more died on the way to Germany, especially at the hand of Stuka bombers. “I am still not sure how I made it and still sometimes get the shivers thinking about it. I feel honoured, though, that the French have not forgotten us.” Dick Wood, who lives in
Sandy, was in the Royal Navy for the whole of the war, at first on the HMS Aurora, then HMS Jervis. While on the Aurora he saw action off the coast of North Africa, and then Sicily, the Salerno landings and at Monte Casino. At one point the ship picked up the King from Tripoli and took him to Malta. The Aurora was damaged by
bombing and had to withdraw to Taranto for repairs. Then, for the D-Day landings, Dick joined the destroyer HMS Jervis, where they helped Canadians on to the Juno and Omaha beaches, then supported by bombing selected targets. Dick said: “We saw sights that people had never seen before and never seen since. There was hand
to hand fighting, rows of ships, from our destroyer back to battleships like the Rodney, on-shore artillery and aircraft strafing and bombing. It was unbelievable. “After D-Day we were sent to an island off the coast of France where we had to run the gauntlet between the French mainland and the Channel Islands. There was a radio station we had to destroy. I went ashore with about a dozen others. We destroyed it but thankfully the Germans had gone by the time we got there.” I met the veterans at the monthly meeting of the Bedford branch of the Royal Engineers. Vice chairman Terry Darlow said: “It is difficult to put a value on what people like Jim and Dick did. It gives us an immense sense of pride.” The French government has been awarding the Legion d’honneur to D-Day veterans, as a way of honouring and thanking those who fought and risked their lives to secure France’s liberation during the Second World War. It is France’s highest distinction and is awarded in recognition of both civilian and military merit.
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Relief for commuters
OVER 700 runners and walkers took part in the Rotary Western Bypass Challenge organised by The Rotary Club of Bedford in aid of St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger. On Sunday April 10, runners, walkers and families in fancy dress turned out for a community event that brought hundreds of Bedford folk together for a one off chance to run or walk the new bypass before the traffic is allowed on it. The Bypass was opened to traffic on April 25. Their were three events: 5 and 2.5 mile runs and a 2.5 mile walk. Coming home first was Jean-Pierre Mitchell in the five mile run which was started by the Lord Lieutenant Helen Nellis, the 2.5 mile run by Bedford MP Richard Fuller and the 2.5 mile walk by the Mayor of Bedford, Dave Hodgson. The aim of the day was to raise funds to support St John’s Hospice and at the time of writing over £12,000 has been realised with, it is hoped, much more to come as participants collect sponsorship money and send it in to the Rotary Club Charity Trust Fund where it is being collected and gift aid claimed before being passed on to St John’s Hospice.
BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 5
The Mayor of Bedford Mr Dave Hodgson lit a beacon on Bedford’s castle mound on Thursday May 21, 2016. The event marked Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday. A large crowd gathered to mark the occasion. Bedford’s Brass Band and Pipe Bands also played a number of tunes. The crowd sang ‘Happy Birthday’. Also in attendance were the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mrs Helen Nellis and the Bishop of Bedford, the Rt Revd Richard Atkinson.
6 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 There will be a BUSINESS BREAKFAST at Mark Rutherford school on the 11th May from 8-10am. The focus will be on STEM and Engineering and we are looking for anyone involved in that industry locally to come along and network and share their knowledge with the students at school. Bacon butties and coffee served too. For more details please contact Kath Unwin at the school: 01234 290200 or email: kath.unwin@mrus.co.uk
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Blow for Bedford Brass
BEDFORD Brass has launched an appeal for new players. Musical Director Mrs Liz Schofield said: “It is really good fun to play in a group and make music together. That’s why we are launching a search for the town’s hidden players and inviting them to join us.” Liz took over the baton just a few weeks ago and is looking to swell the volume of Bedford Brass – trombonist and percus-
sionists are in particularly short supply but players of any brass instrument are welcome. The Band rehearses every Thursday evening in Kempston East Methodist Church hall from 8pm-10pm. Bedford Brass also has a training band called the ‘AJs’. Mr. Peter Halliday conducts the AJs on Tuesday evenings at Kempston West Methodist Church from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Band Member Jenny Gellatly said: “Bedford Brass is a non competing band and each year the Band plays at a number of concerts, fetes, churches and band stands in Bedfordshire and the surrounding area.” If you would like more information about joining the band or would like to book the Band, please contact the Band Secretary Mrs Pat Vought, Tel 01234 852949 Email: info@bedfordbrass.com
New probate specialist
WOODFINES Solicitors has welcomed a new solicitor to its ranks. Esther Marchant will be joining the firm as a specialist in Wills and Probate department, and brings with her over 30 years of experience in writing Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, estate planning, probate administration, trusts and other related issues. Esther is from north Buckinghamshire and is the third generation of solicitors from her family. She now lives in Bedfordshire and has worked at law firms in both Bedford and nearby Milton Keynes. She says that she is looking forward to rejoining the Bedford workforce, a sentiment echoed by Woodfines’ Senior Partner, Mike Cox: “We are very much looking forward to having Esther join our team in Bedford. We are committed to offering an excellent service in our Wills & Probate department for individuals and families across Bedford, and are confident that Esther will help us to continue this.”
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 7
High note for College’s musical students REPRESENTING Bedford College for the 2016 Battle of the Bands at the Stables, MK were the winning band ‘Weighted Space’. The group comprised of five first year Music Performance students, who competed against ten other schools and colleges to win the event. Jamie Gilman-Lewis (bass player and co-singer of Weighted Space) said: “Winning Battle of the Bands was something that we weren’t expecting, so when they announced our name we were both overjoyed and genuinely shocked. “The whole night was so much fun and it makes me very excited for the future of the band. Congratulations to everyone who took part, thanks to the organisers and the judges, and well done to everyone in Weighted Space for pulling off the win”. The students have won Marshall amps and a free six hour recording ses-
sion and the music department have won an electric piano worth £1,000. Bedford College staff Charlie Luscombe and Ben Baal-Bowdler, the rest of the music team and students would like to congratulate ‘Weighted Space’ and all the other schools and colleges and organisers that took part in this fantastic event. Bedford College music students’ final show of the year can be seen at Esquires club on Thursday May 19th. This is an amazing opportunity for Bedford College students and a real high note on which to end the year. Prospective music students and their parents/guardians are invited to attend along to the Esquires showcase. The age policy on the door at Esquires is as stated on their website: All gigs at Esquires are 16+. If you look young for your age, bring ID! 14-15 year olds can attend if accompanied by their parent / legal guardian.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 9
Council act to clear illegal camp by river
A CAMP of east Europeans set up near The Embankment in Bedford has been removed by the council. The camp, by the River Great Ouse opposite Aspects Centre, has been there for several months and has been a source of concern to local people. Complaints had been made by residents to the police that it should not be there and needs to be removed. They were worried that if nothing was done it would grow and others might spring up. There have been other camps before, one on the Priory Country Park car park. One resident said: “I know it is difficult and people have to live somewhere. But this is not the way sound mean but we don’t pay all Councillor for Newnham to do it and either the police or the this money to live by a refugee Ward, John Mingay, said: “I am council should act. I don’t want to camp.” glad it has been removed. We do
not want these illegal camps being set up. They are not people who want to integrate into our society but mainly parasites. They are an eyesore and local people are also nervous of them as trouble often follows them. “I went to speak to some of them and was just abused. “With the country park and river we are a prime target for these camps, so I am pleased the council has acted.” A Bedford Borough Council spokesperson said: “Following legal proceedings by the council, a court order was issued and the encampment at Aspects Leisure park has been removed.” Other camps still exist in and around the town, which are less prominent.
10 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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Harpur Run and Fun Day
THE Harpur Trust is delighted to announce the launch of its 450th anniversary 5k fun run on Sunday 22nd May at Priory Country Park. The run, which is being supported by The Bedford Harriers AC, and officially started by Olympic Gold Medallist Tim Foster MBE, is part of an all-day sports themed public event which promises to be one of the highlights of the charity’s anniversary celebrations this year. Open to everyone living in the area the event is expected to attract around 3000 people. As well as a 5k fun run around the lake, there will be a 1k kids run plus climbing, orienteering, mini golf and an inflatable assault course. Priory Sailing Club will be offering a variety of water sports as part of their annual open weekend and students from the University of Bedfordshire will be on hand to measure your fitness levels. Local bike shop Flamme Rouge are offering free safety checks to anyone who cycles to the event and they will be exhibiting a selection of bikes. Demonstrations will include line dancing, street dance and cultural dance, performances from the Queen’s Park Fusion Choir plus an array of charities and local businesses will be exhibiting. Sarah Elam is managing the Trust’s anniversary events said: “The 5k race is the perfect entry level race for a beginner, but its setting in the stunning Priory Country Park will ensure there
is a scenic route for more seasoned runners looking to up their PB.” With 12 weeks to go, there is plenty of time to get those running shoes on and get training but with just 300 places available, those interested are being encouraged to sign up now www.harpurtrust. org.uk/450. The Trust is also recruiting volunteers (18+) to help out on the day please contact Sarah on 01234 369519.
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Work stops at 4.30!
SiNCe the February 22, a 200 yard stretch at the Broadway end of tavistock Street has been completely closed to traffic in order to renew the drainage, reconstruct the traffic island, resurface the road and renew the pathways. obviously, this has seriously affected local business, the public and the transport system in Bedford in many different ways. We understand that the work was deemed essential to improve the drainage in the street as there have been problems with standing water in the road causing problems with shopfronts and occasionally soaking passers-by when drivers thoughtlessly make no attempt to avoid the puddles. Most of the businesses affected have made great efforts to work with the contractors to assist in the speedy implementation of the project. However, it might have made a difference it some things have been done differently. The businesses affected have suffered a reduced level of footfall as the general perception is that the road is closed making access very difficult. Despite the multitude of signs at various strategic points this seems to cause more confusion than direction and after driving round the famous “turbo- roundabout” three times it is probably simpler to go home or elsewhere to shop.
the information distributed by the Council Highways department indicated that the work would be carried out almost round the clock. the local business community have been very frustrated at times when, on a mild bright evening work stops at 4.30pm and the site becomes more like a scene from Lawrence of Arabia, deserted by the contractors, who could have worked for a further three hours to attempt completion of the project in a faster time. The local Tavistock Street business community would like it to be known that none of them have closed for the duration – why on earth would they? It is ‘business as usual’ in Tavistock Street, no business has shut down; access to the Queens Street car park is still possible from Tavistock Street and, apart from a few spaces on the south side of the road and along the prison wall parking along the Tavistock Street is still available. There has been little suggestion of any financial support from the Council other than an offer to help spread payments of business rates – no reduction of course – and making a claim for hardship relief through the normal rating system. No prior thought appears to have been given by the Council to the adverse effect that these roadworks would definitely have on businesses in Tavistock Street.
Adrienne Jessop U. Bristol Alison Brokenshire U. Bristol Uma Madhav U. Cardiff Hema Mistry U. London
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12 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 13
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Apprentice wins prestigious award
BEDFORDSHIRE-based MACS Plasterboard Systems Limited are pleased to announce that Lorrie-Ann Frater a second year apprentice, has won an Apprentice-of-the-Year award. Lorrie-Ann beat substantial competition in winning the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) award and was honoured at a gala awards lunch at the Plaisterers Hall in London. Lorrie-Ann Frater is an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor working at MACS Plasterboard Systems as she moves towards gaining her BTEC Level 3 in Construction and Built Environment and NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations General Level 3 at Bedford College. Lorrie-Ann joined MACS in 2014 as a school leaver with virtually no knowledge of Quantity Surveying or of the Construction Industry. “We are extremely proud of Lorrie Ann being awarded the FIS apprentice of the year. It is recognition like this, of the hard work, that both Lorrie Ann and the MACS Commercial Team have made bought which pushes the company to the forefront of training & development”, says MACS Commer cial Director Mark Wareham, Lorrie-Ann’s immediate supervisor. “In a short period Lorrie-Ann has progressed from being a novice to becoming to a valued member of the MACS team; to such an extent that she and now runs the financial side of the MACS Plasterboards Customer Care Works – a role that involves pricing works to be carried out for MACS clients and also responding to client requests or queries.”
Wonderful women at work Slimming
BEDFORD College is helping the Soroptimist International organisation celebrate its 85th anniversary in 2016. The college has links with the local branch of the society dating back to its earliest days. Now it is keeping that connection alive with modern activities to support women at home and abroad. Illustrator Sara Sayer is the latest female student to benefit from a £1,000 Bursary from the late Peggy Holgate via the Soroptimists of Bedford. Sara is a second year HNC 5 Fine Art student who promotes her work under the brand kookymagpie.com She used her bursary to attend an illustration summer school at Central Saint Martin’s in London and then ran a community course at a pop-up art event in Bedford. She is photographed with Soroptimists Rita Beaumont, left, and Pauline Panter, right at the South Bank Arts Centre at Bedford College. On May 12th Soroptimists will be joining the college Hair & Beauty Show at the Bedford Corn Exchange to ask local salons and spas to support their Bedford Bloomers campaign to help young women in Sierra Leone. President of the Bedford branch Pauline Stewart JP says: “Ours is an organisation which has included amongst its past members some of the most inspiring women from the county, who had influence at national and international levels. We want to pass that baton on to the next generation who are
currently starting out on their lives and careers.” Bedford Soroptimists will be hearing from Bedford College Hair & Beauty lecturer Melissa Peacock at a special workshop on October 17th and on October 23rd they will be celebrating the 85th anniversary lunch at the Bedford Corn Exchange. Bedford College in Cauldwell Street has been independent for 20 years, but before that was part Bedford College Higher Education which included the world-famous PE and teacher training organisations (which are now part of the University of Bedfordshire). The link between the college and the Soroptimists includes names like the late Eileen Alexander, after whom the sports hall is named in Bedford. She was President of the Bedford Soroptimists in 1978-79. More recently long-serving Bedford College governor Miss Paddy Barratt was President from 199899.Melissa Peacock from Bedford College: “There has been some great work going on between the Soroptimists and the college and we thought this anniversary year would be a good time to wave the flag for both organisations.” Bedford College is the largest provider of post-16 education in the county with apprenticeships, advanced and degree-level learning. www.bed ford.ac.uk Soroptimists http://sigbi.org/bedford
World saved my bacon
OVER the last 20 years Linda from Wootton has gone through a battle with her weight. She was a smoker and decided to quit smoking in 1996 which triggered her weight gain. Linda gained three stones and ever since struggled to lose the weight. Linda said: “You name it, I tried it, with some attempts I would lose the weight but absolutely nothing kept it off.” Now Linda has transformed her life, she has won her battle with weight, eating foods that she loves with Slimming World, and now has enough confidence to be taking over a group in her own village to help others feel as amazing as she does now. Now a size 12 Linda is absolutely loving life and has met lots of new people in group, depression is a thing of the past for her now and Linda is taking another step forward and will be re-launching the Slimming World group in Wootton in order to help others feel the same relief, happiness and success she has felt with Slimming World. Linda says: “Come along to meet me at the Wootton group at the Wootton Memorial Hall, off Bedford Road MK43 9JB at either 5.30pm or 7.30pm. I will be waiting to welcome you at the door and will be with you every step of the way. Contact me on 07912 484615.”
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14 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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Community and Family Sing-Along with Strawberry Cream Tea!
LAST summer on Father’s Day, Kiosk at the Park bustled with life and song. Local musician Leyla Burrows put together a set list that spanned years and genres! Children sang Let it Go with gusto, everyone sang harmonies and clapped rhythms to Happy and we remembered years gone by with We’ll meet again. We were accompanied by local musicians and spoilt with Pimms, strawberries and cream by Emma Garrett, Charlie Fay and the Kiosk team. This summer, we will be spoilt again! Come to the Kiosk on June 18th at 2pm to indulge in an hour of summer singing. Team Kiosk will be hosting and Leyla will be helping you sing like you’ve never sang before!
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oN April 19 Beverely rode, Activity Co-ordinator at Salvete, home for the elderly in rothsay Place and her daughter both ‘braved the shave’ for Macmillan Nurses and Salvete’s seaside trip fund. So far they have raised £469.65. the Jumbulance to take our residents to Great Yarmouth will cost five hundred pounds. if you can help at all please donate via their Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/ BeverleyAnn-rode
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 15
16 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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In Focus with
In Focus with
Fuller
Dave by Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford
Richard Fuller MP for Bedford & Kempston
TEACHERS ARE VITAL TO STANDARD OF SCHOOLS
GOOD TRANSPORT LINKS ATTRACT INVESTORS
THIS is a busy time for our local schools. Preparations for exams are well underway. Parents are choosing schools for their children hoping that they will get their first choice. Head teachers and Governors are working on their plans for the overdue, but welcome, transition to a two tier system – primary and secondary schools – across the Borough. All of this on top of the usual work of our teachers. I don’t know about you, but I can remember the names of all my teachers at each year of school – and that started nearly 50 years ago! Teachers can have a lifelong impact on their students – opening eyes to new knowledge, drawing out a talent, or nurturing confidence. I benefitted enormously from my teachers and I want to do all I can to ensure local schools deliver the highest quality education for all children. The Government recently announced that “all schools must become academies” by 2020. Schools have been considering this since I became MP six years ago. In discussions with teachers, governors and parents my view has consistently been that becoming an academy is beneficial but does not magically improve performance of a school: teachers and head teachers will continue to be the most important factors in improving school standards. Academy status is a sign of confidence by the school’s leadership and should be seen as a positive step. In Bedford and Kempston, the track record of the local authority in improving academic attainment is poor, so we have good reason to consider this transition to a full academy environment. With a timetable of four more years for schools to make this transition (making 10 years in all), it cannot be said that schools are being rushed. Let’s see what comes of this government proposal. In the meanwhile let us support our schools as they make the transition to two tier and their drive to improve standards – whichever type of school governance they follow.
AFTER over half a century of appearing on national and local plans and strategies, Bedford’s completed western bypass is now a reality. I made delivering this project a priority when I became Mayor. With the first phase in place, and with traffic levels growing, the need for the final section linking the A428 to the west of Biddenham with the A6 at Clapham to the north of the town was clearly overwhelming. However, there were numerous reasons why it hadn’t been delivered over all those decades of planning, and many obstacles stood in the way of getting construction underway. For me, though, a completed bypass was simply essential for all road users, and for Bedford’s economy and jobs growth. So when it became clear that usual processes were not going to get it built, I launched the successful strategy of pursuing Compulsory Purchase Order Proceedings. This broke down the logjam, got all parties to the table negotiating, and the orders were approved. We also won funding from external sources, minimising the impact of this £18.6 million scheme on local taxpayers, and the project was completed on time and within budget. The new road now in place means that anyone travelling west or south of Bedford from the North will not need to drive into the town and through its busy junctions at all. And vice-versa, of course! Of course, this is not a silver bullet for Bedford’s congestion problems. We have a historic road network, adapted over time as the town has seen rapid, ongoing growth in traffic levels. But the bypass will help. It sends a clear message out to investors, making Bedford Borough even more attractive to employers and, crucially, will simply help road users to get into and around Bedford.
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View from
Bishop Richard by Rt Revd Richard Atkinson Bishop of Bedford
MORE APPLICANTS
ONE of the most rewarding experiences of being a Bishop is when I meet women and men who are exploring their call to ordained ministry as a deacon and priest in the Church of England. As part of the process they have to meet me as their Bishop, and gain my support, in order to attend a selection conference. Not only are these inspiring conversations that explore people’s journeys of faith, but they are also occasions of great hope. For many years the Church of England sadly lost the plot on ministry. The numbers coming forward to be ordained went down and, equally significantly, the ages of those selected went up. Not only were there fewer people, but they would serve for less years. Combined with an aging work-force and the consequent increase in retirements the future looked bleak. In recent years the tide has begun to change. More and more people are coming forward and being selected for training; the age profile of those chosen is going down; and in particular a healthy proportion are under thirty. There is a commitment to see these numbers increase further. It is one of the most hopeful indicators in the church today. This is very much the story of ministry in the Diocese of St Albans. In a few weeks’ time it will be represented by those ordained as deacons and priests in our Cathedral. It is good news, not least because across our county a number of parishes are currently vacant. For those who live in Henlow and Langford, Harold and Carlton, Renhold, Elstow, and elsewhere it matters that there are priests to take on their parishes. Above all it is good and hopeful news because all those I meet with to explore their vocation are committed, not just to pastoring church congregations, but to serving the whole community and being at the heart of their neighbourhoods. As I write this, I am also thinking ahead to our Bishop’s staff residential meeting which is happening at St Columba’s House in Woking; the place to which thirty-seven years ago I went for my selection conference, and where I was recommended for training. It will be the first time I have returned, but already the memories are there of how my call was explored and affirmed. I thank God that others are on the same journey.
MAY BANK HOLIDAY
BEER FESTIVAL
In Focus with
Alistair by Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP
LACK OF PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF AUTISM
WHEN I first became an MP in 1983, I would occasionally meet parents at an advice centre who would say to me: “I think my child has something called autism, but the school does not know what it is. This is rather different now. There has been growing awareness and diagnosis over recent decades. It is estimated that there are some 700,000 people in the UK with autism, of which 120,000 are of school age. As Minister responsible in the Department of Health, I am very conscious of both the advances made, and of the issues that still remain.
HOW CAN WAITS BE SHORTENED Attending a meeting with the National Autistic Society this week, I was able to respond to the worries about waiting for diagnosis by saying that the Department and the NHS were actively touring the country at present to examine best and worst practice to try and find out how waits could be shortened. But awareness does not always mean acceptance, and there are still too many occasions when there is a lack of public understanding of the difficulties caused by autism. It is upsetting that one in four sufferers have been asked to leave a public place due to their behaviour. To help with this, the NAS has produced a video ‘Too Much Information’ which describes through the eyes of a brave child called Alex what it’s like to experience common place life. It’s only 90 seconds of yours to watch. Do find it at http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/ tmi.aspx and have a look. Thank you.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 17
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18 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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Entrepreneur launches pet bed business BEDFORD Modern School Year 7 student Alice Habermehl, has successfully launched an environmentally friendly pet bed business following her pitch to Pets at Home Head of Innovation, Claire Gavin, on the BBC show, Pocket Money Pitch which was aired on Monday 28 March. Alice auditioned for the television programme in 2015 and after several selection stages, including a Skype audition with the assistant producer of children’s BBC, she was chosen to take part and present her business idea in a head to head, Dragons Den style pitch to a panel of five young business entrepreneurs. Alice’s business idea is to create and sell attractive, low cost and environmentally friendly cardboard pet beds. She has called her business Aleo Pet Products; the first two letters of her
name and the last two from her cat’s name, Cleo. The idea started when Cleo preferred an empty cardboard box to the luxury cat bed Alice had saved her pocket money to buy. But the young entrepreneur decided to turn her disappointment into something positive and decorated the box with her own design. She then applied to take part in Pocket Money Pitch with the business proposal of selling boxes for children and creative adults to decorate and personalise as beds for their pets. She said: “All cat owners will know how much cats love cardboard boxes; they’ll jump into one at the first opportunity! Aleo pet homes are stylish, low cost, environmentally friendly and fully customisable. I hope that children and adults will have hours of fun decorating their Aleo pet homes.” Alice enjoyed taking part in Pocket Money Pitch and was inspired by the experience. She has worked hard to develop her idea and has secured a manufacturer for her product in the UK and which is being stocked at both Scott’s Veterinary Clinic in Bedford and Willington Garden Centre. The industrious 12-year-old plans to donate some of her profits to Bedford and District Handicapped Riders Association; a charity her grandma founded 55 years ago which, together with her brother, Ollie, she has raised hundreds of pounds for in the past. For further information visit: www.aleopetproducts.co.uk.
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Charity gives thanks to the ultimate Bedford Philanthropist
ON Friday 22nd April 2016, 600 pupils and staff from across the Harpur Trust schools and the charity’s headquarters, gathered for a service to give thanks to the legacy left to the town of Bedford by Sir William Harpur. The occasion marked the official 450th anniversary of the founding of the Harpur Trust which was established in 1566, when Queen Elizabeth 1 sat on the throne. The inspirational guest speaker was Squadron Leader Charlotte Thompson-Edgar (pictured) who was dubbed the ‘Angel of Afghanistan’ after rescuing over 600 wounded troops by helicopter in Helmand Province. Last year, she was awarded nursing’s highest honour, the Royal Red Cross Second Class for exceptional services and devotion to duty Among the many she helped to save was Britain’s first surviving triple amputee of the war. Mark Ormrod lost both legs and an arm when he stepped on a homemade bomb on Christmas Eve 2007. Charlotte attended the former Bedford High School which merged with Dame Alice School in 2012 to become Bedford Girls’ School. She will talk about the values that she gained
whilst at school and how these have shaped her in her career. Pupils from each of the four schools (Bedford School, Bedford Girls School, Bedford Modern School and Pilgrims Pre-preparatory School) performed together with a 450th Anniversary Choir and Orchestra specially formed for the occasion. As well as being involved in readings and prayers, a child from each of the schools also laid a wreath on the tomb of Sir William Harpur, who is buried in the Trinity Chapel of the church. Amongst the guests were Helen Nellis, (the Lord Lieutenant), Charles Whitworth, (The High Sheriff), the Rt Revd Richard Atkinson (the Bishop of Bedford), and Patrons of the Trust Mayor Dave Hodgson and Richard Fuller MP.
Girlguiding Beds honoured
Helping out with the paint brushes
CriCketiNG legend Mike Gatting was in Bedford on Sunday – doing a bit of painting and decorating. Mike Gatting, a former england captain who often courted controversy, was attending a special Nat west Cricket Force at Bedford Cricket Club last month. Bedford was picked as one of three clubs out of more than 2,000 across the country by the england and wales Cricket Board to host a
special Nat west Cricket Force at the weekend. Gatting was once famously on the wrong end of fame, and Shane warne’s first delivery in an Ashes test match, which became known as the ‘ball of the century’, in 1993. Mike said: “i have been doing this for many years now and am happy to help in any way that promotes grass-roots cricket, even if it means giving the changing rooms a fresh lick of paint!”
ON Thursday 31st March the High Sheriff’s Citizenship Award for 2015-2016 were held at The Forest Centre in Marston Moretaine. The evening was designed to recognise achievement and to honour the positive work of local volunteers and community groups, who regularly and freely give their time to help others. Members of Girlguiding Bedfordshire were delighted to be winners in three categories for their work. County Commissioner Ann Crome, Bedford Division Commissioner Gill Lake and 15-year-old Young Leader Keliyah Morodore-Spencer, all received awards. Keliyah has overcome huge obstacles in her personal life, but continues her work at 25th Stopsley Rainbows as well as helping at 5th Stopsely Guides. Keliyah was thrilled to have won and said: “Even though things are sometimes really challenging for me at home, I still want to give back to my community. I love volunteering and being part of Girlguiding has allowed me to do that, this is very important to me” Gill said: “I have been volunteering within Girlguiding for many years. During that time I have held a number of posts, both as a Leader as well as Division Commissioner, and it is a real honour to receive this award.” Gill added: “So many people give of their time to lead girls within Guiding and that contribution, is truly priceless.”
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 19
A BIG deal for Bedford Borough
WORK on the £36million new Riverside North development is continuing at pace in Bedford’s town centre with exciting 3.6 acre project growing every day. Since summer 2015, visitors and residents have watched as the work takes place to deliver the project which includes a cinema, restaurants, a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the river and a large river-fronted public square. The project, co-developed by Coplan Estates and Bouygues Development, funded by TIAA Henderson and delivered by Bouygues UK, covers a 3.6 acre site and replaces former council offices and a car park with new leisure opportunities alongside 46 private homes; 18 affordable homes; a large public square and a 100-bedroom Premier Inn hotel - all of which are situated in this prime location, overlooking the river. Leisure and Food and Drink will feature heavily at Riverside North with top names such as Vue Cinema with a state-of-the-art seven screen cinema, Wagamama, Zizzi, Bella Italia, Chimichanga, and Coal Grill & Bar already signed up. Visitors to the site, off Horne Lane in Bedford town centre, will see the framework of all the major units are now in place. The structural steelwork for the cinema was completed in March and the concrete frame for the hotel is now also complete. The next stage of the developer-funded scheme will see a new pedestrian bridge put in place over the summer. Located on the river banks, the footbridge will link St Mary’s Gardens to the major new public square. Once opened the bridge will give pedestrians and cyclists swift,
vehicle free access to the town centre. Work on the bridge has been carried out to the south-side of the River Great Ouse, adjacent to Bedford College. Piling is underway and will be completed this week (week commencing 25th April), which provides ground support for the bridge. The bridge will then be lifted into place by a huge 1,000 tonne crane in early summer. The Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: “With town centres elsewhere across the country struggling in the face of internet and out-of-town shopping, Bedford needs to offer not only good quality shopping but also leisure,
culture and food and drink. Riverside North will make a huge contribution to achieving this vision, and it is great to see it taking shape. It will draw large numbers of extra visitors, benefitting the town centre as a whole while creating 250 new jobs.” “It will give people of all ages even more reason to visit and enjoy Bedford town centre, both during the day and in the evening. The development will help Bedford to continue to buck the trend and establish itself as an attractive destination in its own right - to visit, to enjoy and to spend quality time in with friends and family.”
Photogrpahy: Keith Mayhew – People Press.
Sheriff of Bedfordshire’s appointment ceremony
Charles, with the Lord-Lieutenant and his Cadet.
MR CHARLES WHITBREAD was officially appointed to the Office of the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire at a ceremony held at All Saints Church, Southill on Sunday 3rd April. The ceremony was attended by around 120 dignitaries, family and friends, including the LordLieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis. The Office of the High Sheriff is an annual appointment by the Queen which goes back to Saxon times and Charles takes over the role from the Countess of Erroll. The High Sheriff is the Queen’s representative in Bedfordshire for all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of law and order. The Office of High Sheriff is nonpolitical and entirely self-funded. As such, the 55 high sheriffs of England and Wales are able to bring people together within their counties and to support not only the Judiciary but also the enormous contributions made by the emergency services, the armed forces, local authorities, church and faith groups and the voluntary community. Bedfordshire has been home to
the Whitbread family since around 1280. The family lived firstly in the parish of Shillington before moving to Cardington in 1639 and then to Southill in 1795. Charles and his wife Jane, now live at Southill Park with their two sons and two daughters. Charles follows a tradition of high sheriffs from within his family: 1767 Samuel Whitbread (Hertfordshire), 1831 Samuel Charles Whitbread, 1837 William Henry Whitbread, 1947 Major Simon Whitbread, 1962 Humphrey Whitbread TD, 1973 Sir Samuel Whitbread KCVO. As well as heading up the family estate at Southill, Charles is involved in several organisations in Bedfordshire, and counts natural history, conservation and reading amongst his interests. During his shrieval year he is looking forward to gaining a greater understanding of the legal system as well as meeting and connecting people in a variety of organisations, both voluntary and statutory, throughout the county.
20 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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Untimely death of well-known thespian
ONE of Bedford’s leading thespians has died suddenly on a holiday in Los Angeles. Keith Pendall was a mainstay of Bedford’s theatre scene for more than 50 years. Keith’s father, Reg Pendall was a founder member of Bedford Marianettes which originated in St. Mary’s Church. This was where Keith found his love of the theatre and joined at the age of 16, performing his first role as the eldest son of the King of Siam in “The King and I.” It was in this production where he first met Pat Pearson, who eventually became his wife in 1971. Their shared love of the theatre has lasted until the present day, and over the years Pat and Keith have played a very active part in the community. Keith was fortunate enough to have many leading roles in various amateur clubs in the area, including “Kipps” in “Half a Sixpence”, (pictured) “Judas Iscariot” in “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Albin” in “La Cage Aux Folles” and “Don Quixote” in “Man of La Mancha” to name but a few. Perhaps the most memorable of all and the role for which he will be remembered is “Emcee” in “Cabaret” which he performed four times! More recently, Keith was an active member of Bedford Drama Company and in fact, his last role in February of this year was as “Professor Banks” in the hugely successful production of “Blue Stockings” at The Place Theatre in Bedford. Born and bred in Bedford he attended Silver Jubilee School and started work at Frames Travel in the High Street in 1962, which led to a long and successful career in the travel
Apprentices Lee, Carlan and Zain with Bedford College’s, Roger Lett, Graham Paxton (Owner, GRT Group) and Cole Turner and Daniel Ward from Bouygues UK.
Trio sign up at Riverside North
Keith Pendall October 24 1947 – March 26 2016
business. He eventually became a lecturer on this subject at Cambridge Regional College until his death. Due to his great love of all things showbiz, Hollywood seemed a poignant place to take his “final bow!” Keith’s love of theatre was only superseded by the love for his family. His wife of 45 years, Pat. Daughters Rebecca and Jessica and his grandchildren Joseph and Phoebe.
Bedford Drama Company is dedicating its latest production, ‘Outside Edge’, to the memory of Keith Pendall. Keith was a long-standing, leading light of the Bedford Theatre scene who sadly passed away unexpectedly over Easter. In paying tribute to Keith, Jenny Curzon of the BDC Committee said, “Keith was renowned for his love of theatre in all its aspects. He was one of Bedford’s leading lights appearing in innumerable musicals, operettas, plays and pantomimes over many decades. Keith’s talent was as an all-rounder who could act, dance and who had a great singing voice. His last performance was for me as Mr. Banks in Blue Stockings in February this year. We remember Keith as a person with great energy, a wicked sense of humour and a man who will be sorely missed”
oN Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April girls and leaders from across the Bedford Division took part in the second ever Bedford Guiding Lights Gang Show, held at the Place theatre in Bedford. Based on the original, ‘Gang Show’, which was started in 1932, when Scouts in London performed in a variety show, Bedford Guiding Lights was started in 2014, although just for guides, incorporates all of the fun of the original Gang Show. there were two fully packed performances filled with singing, dancing, acting and an array of amazing costumes. rainbows, Brownies, Guides and their leaders performed hits from across the ages, executed dance routines and even performed some magic tricks! Producer Gayle Darlington-Shaw, who is also an Assistant rainbow Leader, said: “we are so proud of all the Leaders who have worked so hard with the girls to put on such a brilliant show. i for one, cannot wait to do it all again.” Gayle added: “So much hard work has gone into putting the show on, but it has been worth every minute.” the Bedford Guiding Lights are shining brightly!
THREE Bedford College students have become the latest people to benefit from the opportunities being created as part of the new £36m development that will deliver a new town centre for Bedford. Carlan Clarke and Zain Aslam, both 17, and 16 year old Lee Bass have all signed up to become apprentice bricklayers on the 3.6 acre Riverside North scheme that will bring new homes, shopping and leisure facilities for local residents, as well as a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists, to the town. The trio has been snapped up by GRT Group, a subcontractor to construction firm Bouygues UK, which is building the new development. Bouygues UK is part of the same group of companies as Bouygues Development which, along with Coplan Estates, is responsible for the Riverside North project. Former Redborne Upper School pupil, Lee, who lives in Flitwick, said he was keen to get involved as an apprentice because he wanted to be able to earn while he was learning on the job. His comments were echoed by Carlan, who added: “I want to be independent, financially secure and to produce high quality work.” Zain, who lives in Putnoe and studied at Plackgate High School in Blackburn said he was interested in
becoming an apprentice because of his interest in bricklaying – and because he wanted to gain experience to help him in his future career. Bouygues UK’s Regional Managing Director, Mikel Berrebi, welcomed Carlan, Lee and Zain to the project, saying: “The construction industry needs more people working in the industry: it’s that simple. And one of the best ways to try out a career is as an apprentice, where you get to study towards qualifications and gain useful, practical experience as well as a real insight into the day job. Our Community Engagement Manager, Liz Jeffs, has been working hard to establish relationships with the college, as well as local schools and the university, so we can help more students to understand how our industry works; and how the education they receive could one day help them to deliver new homes and facilities like we are doing here at Riverside North. “We’re also grateful for the support of Graham Paxton, who owns GRT Group, and is himself a former Bedford College student. He makes a point of taking on apprentices so he can give something back to the college and the industry. “We’re looking forward to having Carlan, Lee and Zain on site and to help them develop their future careers within the construction industry.”
Guiding Lights shone brightly
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 21
Wedding brought forward so dying mum can attend
‘First’ for Bedford Indoor Bowls
MARK Curtis and Graham White, after winning a series of matches over the winter, earned the accolade of playing in the finals of the Men’s National Indoor Over 60s Pairs competition at Nottingham. In reaching the final, they defeated a team from Welford-on-Avon 20-17 to take the title for The ‘Boro’. In 1982, Dave Hirst and current club manager John McConnell overcame strong opposition to win the Outdoor National Pairs title, but this is the first time we have won a National title on carpet since the Indoor club opened in 1971. In the final, Mark and Graham looked certain winners when they opened up a 16-3 lead after 13 ends, but their opponents fought back and with two ends to go, the gap had closed to 17-13. However, The Boro’ men finished the stronger and proudly walked off with the trophy.
Visitor numbers for Higgins
BLOCKBUSTER exhibition J.M.W Turner & The Art of Watercolour as well as a successful and vibrant events programme have contributed to a busy year at The Higgins Bedford. The art gallery and museum has welcomed 41,787 visitors in the year 2015-16. J.M.W. Turner & The Art of Watercolour offered a unique chance to see all nine of Bedford’s watercolours by J.M.W. Turner together for the first time. These were displayed alongside works by contemporaries of Turner, and artists inspired by his work.
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A MOTHER with terminal cancer is determined to be at her daughter’s wedding before she dies. The wedding has been brought forward by 16 months to make it possible. This has cut the time to save up and plan for the wedding but friends, family, companies and complete strangers have rallied round since a funding page was set up. The wedding of her daughter, Jessica Goodwin, 26, was due to be in November next year but will now be this July. Jane Hall, 51, from Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, was diagnosed with liver cancer earlier this year. Jane has never smoked or been a regular drinker and the doctors are not sure how she could contract primary liver cancer, because she doesn’t have any of the risk factors that normally contribute to this particular rare type of cancer. It is, sadly, inoperable and terminal, with Jane only have months left to live. Jane said: “They told me in February it was terminal. We have been through all the options and now it is just a question of pain management. But I am determined to see Jessica married this July. I will be at the wedding and Addenbrookes understand that.” This is even more important, as her father, Mark Goodwin, was killed in a car crash on the A6 near Bedford in 1993. There is a sign on the roundabout dedicated to her father. Due to the wedding being brought forward, it was planned as a
simple affair to cut the costs. But to get a bit of help Jessica set up a funding page. The power of social media means the page has raised more than £5,000 and companies and organisations have offered everything from the wedding dress, to the car, flowers, and a marquee for the evening. A local florist and a photographer have also agreed to help. Jessica said: “I was very happy to do it on a budget but it is fantastic that so many people have helped so much. The kindness and generosity of people is wonderful. Both me and my husband to be Ayden are overwhelmed.” And 10 days after the wedding Jessica’s sister, Georgina is due to give birth to her second child. Jane plans to be here for that as well.
Jane at the back with Georgina, Jessica and Daniel.
CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE HOURS The Council’s Customer Service Centre located at 2 Horne Lane, adjacent to the Old Town Hall building, is open 8.45am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and Fridays 8.45am to 4.45pm. Opening hours for the Payments Office are Monday to Friday 8.45am to 4pm. Both offices are closed on Saturdays. The new system sees the centre’s opening times streamlined to the same hours of Council business. Most Council bills, can be paid on-line and many can be paid at local post offices and PayZone outlets (just check that there is a payment barcode on the bill). Contact the Council by on 01234 267422 or visit the website at www.bedford.gov.uk
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22 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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Cube square funding circle
A BEDFORDSHIRE-based company has helped local academy schools win over £5 million in Government funding. In the latest round of Condition Improvement Fund (CiF) bids to the Education Funding Agency (EFA), Cube Building Consultancy based in Flitwick, secured six out of seven applications totalling £1.8 million, bringing the amount raised over the past three years to over £5 million. The Bedfordshire Schools that have benefitted from their latest bid winning services include, Alameda Middle School and The Firs Lower School in Ampthill, Brooklands Middle School and Gilbert Inglefiled Middle School in Leighton Buzzard, Holywell Middle, Cranfiled and Wootton Upper School. Cube are a firm of chartered surveyors who have been providing a full complement of services to schools and businesses for over 12 years. It has achieved ground-breaking success for more than a dozen academy schools by providing bid, project and
contract management services. The bids have been secured for vital works such as new roofs, new heating and distribution systems and essential health and safety compliance works such as fire safety and lighting systems. “We have expertise in an area which is completely unchartered territory for many School Leadership Teams and School Business Managers. There are strategic decisions that need to be
collating data in support of their long term aims. We deliver a range of services that include Condition Improvement Fund (CiF) bid preparation and submissions. Cube’s CiF success rate currently stands at 75% against the industry average of 25%.” Working in partnership with specialist solicitors who have acted for many schools converting to academy status, the two companies provide strategic advice on the range of academy models most suited to each school and on built environment issues, whether during the transfer from the Local Authority or as a wider MAT evaluated before seeking access to arrangement. funding streams that can make a huge difference to a school’s balCube is staging an event for ance sheet. If they take the wrong School Business Managers, route early on they could miss out Governors and School Heads to on vital funds,” explained Key explain how to ensure that CiF Account Manager Tim Warneford bids and multi-academy appliat Cube, cations for funding have the best “Cube and our legal associates, chance of success. Anyone who combine strategic and operational would like to attend can contact advice in ensur-ing the school is tim warneford at tim@ fully appraised of their options cubebuildingconsultancy.com before strategically collecting and or call on 01525-722218.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 23
Western Bypass opens
Mayor ‘Dave’ takes over Western Bypass from John Breheny CEO Breheny Civil Engineering – delivered ahead of schedule.
“No silver bullet to town’s traffic problems but every bit helps.” – Monday April 25, 2016
Olympic Gold Medallist names new school building
THE new Year 7 and 8 building at Biddenham International School and Sports College has been officially named and opened by London 2012 Gold Medal winning athlete and former pupil Etienne Stott. Pupils, staff and invited guests cheered as Etienne unveiled the new sign in his name to mark the official opening of the first purpose built Year 7 and 8 unit in Bedfordshire.
Head teacher David Bailey said: “We were delighted to welcome our first Year 7 students in September last year and they have been a fantastic addition to the school. Everyone was thrilled when Etienne agreed we could name the new building in his honour as he is without doubt one of the most exceptional students to have attended our school. We hope that his name will continue to inspire all stu-
dents who use this new building and remind them that with hard work and dedication they can achieve great things.” Invited guests on the day included Deputy Mayor of Bedford Borough, Cllr Charles Royden, who said: “The council is investing £25 million in school buildings and this building, at a cost of nearly £1 million, will be a huge benefit to the education of
pupils at Biddenham International School and Sports College.” Biddenham is one of Bedford’s’ leading secondary schools and was deemed to be ‘good’ in all areas by a recent Ofsted report. From year 7 to the Sixth Form there are the highest educational standards, alongside numerous other opportunities, to enrich the present and future lives of all who journey through the school.
24 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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Rock’n’Roll in Brita by Ken Broughton
OOKING back now it seems strange to reflect that until the summer of 1956 there was nowhere in this country let alone Bedford where you could hear live rock’n’roll music. Bill Haley and Comets had featured regularly in the pop charts throughout 1955 and in early 1956 we had Elvis Presley. Carl Perkins and Pat Boone, along with Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers to name but a few who had chart hits. The very first British rock’n’roll band was Tony Crombie and his Rock’n’Roll Rockets and they began with a week long residency at the Theatre Royal Portsmouth in September 1956. They opened with a song ‘We’re Gonna Teach You To Rock’ and finished with the Bill Haley hit ‘The Saints Rock’n’Roll’. Later that same month a 19-yearold singer and guitarist name Tommy Steele from Bermondsey, London, made his professional debut backed by his group The
L
Steelmen. The following year he was distancing himself from rock music and looking to project himself as an all round entertainer, which proved to be a very good career move. He branched out into films in Hollywood and is still a top-class showbiz performer. He was awarded with an OBE and here I am still waiting for my MBE for services rendered on the local karaoke scene. Are you listening David Cameron? At the start of 1957 rock’n’roll fever had take a firm hold in Britain and us teenagers were soon showing an insatiable appetite for this music. Tommy Steele began the year with a No 1 chart hit ‘Singing the Blues’. American singer, Guy Mitchell had a million selling No 1 hit in his own country and shared top spot in the charts over here with Steele. Bill Haley and Comets were the first American rock stars to tour Britain and the build-up to and coverage of the tour was amazing with simply incredible scenes upon arrival on the The Queen Elizabeth
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liner at Southampton. They then travelled by train to Waterloo station in London. Not until the Beatles in the early ‘60s were such scenes witnessed. The tour opened at the Dominion Theatre, London. The atmosphere was supercharged and the performance of Haley and The Comets left the crowd breathless. Nothing quite like this had ever been seen on a British stage. I remember Rudy Pompilli, Haley’s saxophonist telling me when I met him in Boston, USA, in 1970, that he could never have imagined scenes that occurred in Britain back then. The Platters, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, Freddie Bell and The Bellboys and Charlie Gracie – who still on occasions perform over here, came over on a tour. Rock’n’roll was at its peak here in 1958, with records by the top American acts selling in increasing volumes and 45rpm records replacing those of the 78rpm format. Elvis Presley led the way with ‘Jailhouse Rock’, his first No 1 hit of the year. Also the title of his film. He was followed by Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul Anka and the Everly Brothers. There was still very little encouraging support from the british media, who never missed and opportunity to dismiss rock’n’roll as a passing phase. The rock scene in Britain had by now, really come alive with Tommy Steele still the pack leader. Terry Dene should have been a natural successor but unfortunately lacked the temperament for stardom. He was constantly in the newspapers as his life was unravelled under intense pressure of public scrutiny. Opinion over his marriage to singer Edna Savage and then later a very short and disastrous period of National Service in the army provided the press with further ammunition to hammer both himself and rock’n’roll’ in general. Terry Dene later became and evangelist and to my knowledge still follows this pursuit. Marty Wilde and Billy Fury then took over but it was Cliff Richard who ultimately became No 1 after he burst into the limelight in the autumn of ‘58, with ‘Move It’ still considered by many to be the best British rock’n’roll song of all time. The ‘Six-Five Special’ on BBC TV was the only show aimed specifically at our generation, hosted and compered by Pete Murray and Josephine Douglas. It was launched in February 1957 and the following
year ITV came up with its own TV shows ‘Oh Boy’ which proved even more popular and eventually took over from ‘Six-Five Special’ which ceased ceased transmission later that year. UDDY HOLLY and The Crickets arrived for a tour over here in March 1958 as did Paul Anka and in May came Jerry Lee Lewis. Was Britain was not ready for him? His first records released over here were ‘Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On’ and ‘Great Balls of Fire’, these reached No 1, but his personal life which on reflection could have been much better for him had it remained private, left a lot to be desired. What we didn’t know but were about to find out was that Jerry Lee had married the girl who accompanied him on tour. Nothing wrong with that surely, but the girl, Myra Brown was only 12-years-old. What made matters worse was the fact that he was still married to his second wife at the time he married Myra. It transpired she was his second cousin. The scandal was front page news when the tour opened in Edmonton two days later and very soon became more than just a scandal, it was an outrage. Back in the 1950s we Brits still retained a certain amount of Victorian values and many, even the young people recoiled in horror at the prospect of this rock’n’roll monster amongst us. How times have changed. We now live in a society where a lot of children are brought up in a single parent environment and a good many don’t even know who their father is! Anyway to carry on. After two more shows in Kilburn and Tooting (all the shows were in London), the tour was cancelled. Leaving Jerry Lee Lewis, his child bride and the rest of his entourage to return to the states. It was many years before he was allowed back and when he was, he became more popular than he could have ever have imagined. He has always been one of my favourite rock stars. I was lucky enough to see him when he performed over here at the Twinwoods Festival, Clapham a few years ago. In 1959 everything ground to a halt. Elvis was in the US Army and tragically Buddy Holly along with Richie Valens and the The Big Bopper (he of Chantilly Lace fame) perished when their plane crashed
B
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in 1956-63 into a corn field outside Mason City, Iowa. The dates was February 3, 1959 and was described in the song ‘American Pie’ by the singer/songwriter Don McLean in the song ‘The Day That Music Died’. Cliff Richard was now undisputed leader of British rock’n’roll, taking over from Marty Wilde who had fallen out with his record company over their insistence that he use session musicians instead of his own band The Wildcats when recording. Bill Haley was no longer at the forefront, although he found new popularity in the late 60s and 70s and in the mid 70s was invited to perform before the Queen and Prince Philip at the Royal Variety Show. U.S. tours to the U.K. had almost completely stopped and the was Larry Parnes, Mr Parnes, Shillings and Pence as he was dubbed who kept rock’n’roll on the road. He managed a large number of British acts including: Billy Fury, Joe Brown, Vince Eager, Georgie Fame and Dickie Pride. So with Parnes doing his best to deep the rock’n’roll ball rolling and U.S. tours virtually at a standstill the future really looked bleak. Never before or since had there been so few Americans performing over here and so it seemed as if the prophets of doom were correct in their assessment. However when all seemed lost on single stage appearance during the final month of the year change all that. On a cold December evening at Tooting Granada in south-west London, Gene Vincent appeared on stage, grabbed the microphone, rolled his eyes to the heavens and began to sing and after that nothing in this country was ever the same again. He came over here for a TV appearance but after the Tooting show was persuaded to stay over for further shows at other venues and just before Christmas he appeared at the Royal County Theatre, Bedford, where I, along with Tony Bartram, Roger and David Clegg saw him and after that, the feeling was that it could only get better and so it did. All will be revealed next month under the heading ‘American Rock’n’ Roll in Bedford.
F Rock’n’Roll was the music of the 1950s for us teenagers then 1959 was undoubtedly the bleakest year ever for this brand of music. Buddy Holly was dead. Elvis was in the army and American tours to this country had almost stopped
I
completely. On the face of it, the Rock’n’Roll era was rapidly drawing to a close in the UK, or so it appeared. Happily the opposite was the case, two men must be given full credit for breathing live into a supposedly dead corpse. Jack Good with ITV shows ‘Oh Boy’ and ‘Boy Meets Girl’ and Larry Parnes who kept Rock’n’Roll on the road to recovery with his stable of home grown British Rock’n’Rollers led the way. It wasn’t long before Don Arden, Arthur Howes and several other music promoters were able to used their considerable influence to entice American artists over here at the beginning of the new decade. Gene Vincent led the way in January 1960 with a series of concerts promoted by Parnes on the Granada Cinemas circuit and he appeared at Bedford’s Granada on January 13. His impact on British audiences cannot really be under estimated at a time when it seem to many that Rock’n’Roll was fading out in Britain. Then Eddie Cochran flew over for what was originally intended to be a very short tour supplemented by ITV appearances with Gene Vincent on ‘Boy Meets Girl’. He and Vincent were good friends who had appeared together on TV shows in USA. Parnes hit upon the brilliant idea of paring them together for a nationwide tour, which began on my birthday, January 24 in Ipswich and ended on April 16 in Bristol. It was in a taxi travelling from Bristol to London that Cochran was killed when it crashed into a lampost in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Bedford would have been on his agenda had he lived. Bobby Darren, Duane Eddy, The Everly Brothers, Freddie Cannon, Johnny Preston and Conway Twitty, toured over here but not in Bedford. There were several shows at the Granada featuring Lonnie Donnegan, Adam Faith and Billy Fury, to name just a few, throughout the year but it was not until February 16, 1961 that we saw an American artist top the bill and guess who it was? Yes, it was that man again Gene Vincent who headlined a show supported by Jess Conrad, Mark Wynter, Michael Cox, Johnny Duncan and The Blue Grass Boys, the fantastic Screaming Lord Sutch, along with comedian/compères Mike and Bernie Winters. I took my girlfriend Valerie Hay to see this show as I did several others. Gene
BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 25
Vincent came back to Bedford three more times before the year was out, twice at the Corn Exchange and once again at the Granada. The Rock’n’Roll spoil sports in this country were once again claiming that our music was finished by 1962 mainly on account these records were making little or no impact on the charts, but there was an increase in American tours. Many of which were very successful but it wasn’t until May 9 of that year that we had our first show which never featured Gene Vincent. This show was called ‘Rock’n’Twist’ USA (the twist being a very popular dance at the time). It was the first British tour for Jonny Burnett, a great friend of Elvis, Gary US Bonds and Gene McDaniels. June 6 saw Bruce Channel who wrote and recorded ‘Hey Baby’ a massive trans-atlantic hit, featuring the distinctive harmonica playing of Delbert McClinton. It was his harmonica style which was a big influence on John Lennon, who played this instrument on the
Beatles first record ‘Love Me Do’. These shows were now coming thick and fast. Next up was a tripleheader with Dion, Del Shannon and Buzz Clifford. Buzz Cliffords performance was rather disappointing, consisting of just three numbers including his ‘Baby Sittin’ Boogie’ hit but Dion and Del Shannon were both on form singing a string of their hits. This show was on September 19. To be continued next month.
26 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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MAY IN THE GARDEN – by Milton Ernest Garden Centre
HE most frequent question we are asked at the Garden Centre (apart from where are the toilets?) is what can I grow in a pot? The answer is almost anything providing you choose the correct size pot and compost and remember to water and feed as required. Apart from the occasional shower the plant only gets what you give it. Pots come in all shapes and sizes the important thing is to choose a container where the volume of compost is adequate for the plants you want to grow. We are happy to advise you. Plastic, fibre glass and glazed pots have the advantage of holding moisture in the compost longer than terracotta as the moisture does not evaporate through the porous sides. It is important to maintain free drainage so raise the pot from the ground with pot feet and put a layer of large gravel, broken brick, tile or polystyrene in the bottom 10cms and then add the compost. Growing plants in pots mean they can go with you when you move house. Last month I wrote about growing Blueberries, Raspberries and Strawberries in pots so keeping with the food theme Apples,
T
‘Potty’ advice
Peaches, Citrus and Nectarines are also successful. Dessert apples are better to grow in containers than Cookers. Any variety grafted onto an M27 rootstock is suitable. Plant in JI No. 2 compost and feed in the
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spring with fish blood and bone. Peach Garden Gold or Stark Sensation and Nectarine Nectar Crest are also grown in JI No. 2 compost in a container at least 45cms across and deep. Citrus fruits like Meyers Lemon, Nagami Kumquat and Satsuma Mandarin all need Lime Free compost so JI Ericaceous should be used for these plants. Figs are very good when grown in tubs. They grow naturally in poor stony soil so are happy in a container where their roots are restricted. Herbs and vegetables also grow well as potted plants. It is great to have the herbs you use most like Parsley, Thyme, Oregano and Chives outside the kitchen door and Basil and Coriander on the windowsill. I sow a pot of Basil and Coriander every month to have a continuously fresh supply and dry any excess. Sweet Bay is often grown as a decorative standard in a pot in a formal garden using JI No 2. Potatoes grown in the toughened plastic bags produce amazingly large crops of scrummy new potatoes. Use multi compost like Jacks Magic to grow all sorts of Salad Leaves, Spring Onions, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Chillies, Peppers and even Climbing French Beans on a tripod. Pots are often used to grow colourful bedding plants and bulbs for maximum impact. That’s great and these have a place in every garden but they do need to be replanted each spring and autumn for continuous interest which can be quite
costly. Now is the time to start planting tubs with bedding plants like Geraniums, Begonias, Petunias and other summer favourites. If pots are planted with trees, shrubs, roses or perennial plants by choosing varieties carefully you can also achieve colour and interest throughout the year. It is often effective if these pots are grouped and planted with a selection of evergreen, deciduous, and flowering plants so each area maintains maximum interest. Many shrub varieties are grafted onto a stem of a more vigorous plant to produce in effect a small tree. These are called mini standards and are very attractive when grown in containers giving height to areas. Roses are good examples of these together with Euonymus, Holly, Olives, Salix Nishikii, The Weeping Pussy Willow and Prunus Brilliant. In formal gardens Box and Bay are grown in the same way as standards, spheres or cones using JI No 2 compost. Medium and dwarf shrubs adapt very well to container growing. For sunny places Hebes, Lavender, dwarf Buddleias, Choisya, Cistus, Palms, Cordylines and Pittosporum are good evergreen choices while Hydrangeas, Sarcoccoca, Daphne, Fatsia and Aucuba are all excellent in shade. Camellias, Azaleas and Rhododendrons are also suitable for shady places but must be planted in Ericaceous JI and fed with ericaceous feed because they grow naturally in lime free soil. Roses, Sweet Peas and Hybrid Clematis trained to grow on tripods are also good in large pots in sunny places patio Climbing Roses being especially successful. I love to grow foliage herbaceous plants in large pots to mix with my summer bedding schemes. I use Hostas, Ferns, Phormiums and Heucheras and to cheer the winter months Hellebores and early flowering dwarf daffodils. Most importantly don’t forget to water and feed your plants in pots they really do rely on you. Car Boot Sale Sunday 15th May 10am to 1pm. Details of all events and activities are on our web site at www.miltonernestgardencentre.co.uk Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter and Instagram where we post daily and sign up to the email newsletter which always has a special purchase.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 27
Shuttleworth College’s quality is higher – official THE Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has confirmed the quality and standards of provision at Bedford College, including Shuttleworth
College, following its review in January 2016. Shuttleworth Director Mike Johnston has welcomed the news: “We believe our range of land-
TV gardeners praise
AN eNtrY in the Young Gardeners of the Year competition by Shuttleworth Colege students has been praised by tV gardeners Alan titchmarsh and David Domoney. Alan said the Moroccan-theme showed the creativity of design in gardening and David continued the praise. Shuttleworth took a silver prize in the contest, which was staged at the ideal Home Show at olympic, London. the garden was featured on itV and an interview can be seen on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= 2g5wrtp9cVk People can sign up for a range of courses related to horticulture, garden design and estate management at Shuttleworth College. these range from one day sessions to full-time royal Horticultural Society courses. www.bedford.ac.uk
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based learning in developing Higher Level courses provides valuable support to rural industries and employers.” A team of QAA reviewers visited the college and judged that its academic standards, the quality and enhancement of its student learning opportunities, and the quality of information about its learning opportunities all meet UK expectations. The review identifies a number of examples of good practice. These include: l the strategic and market-led approach to the development of the provision to meet the needs of local employers and students l the wide range of opportunities to work with employers to enhance student learning. Emma Lowe, Director of Quality, Performance and Standards at Bedford College, said: “It is very rewarding to see it acknowledged that Bedford College is recognised by businesses and professionals for our work in ensuring students have a clear line of sight to jobs through our
Mike Johnston Director of Shuttleworth College.
delivery of Higher Education. “Bedford College offers progression for 16-year-olds into Higher Education, and we are glad to have our work in this area highlighted and endorsed by experts in education.” QAA’s Higher Education Reviews are carried out by experts from other universities and colleges. Every review team includes a student reviewer, because QAA believes that students should be partners in the quality assurance of their education.
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No Loss Productions brought Bedford to a standstill. On Easter Saturday, 2016, Cally Lawrence’s theatre company produced ‘The Passion’ play. This was the first time in 30 years that this two hour outdoor play had been staged in the town. Hundreds of people filled the streets to enjoy this brilliant production of the Easter story. A volunteer cast of nearly 100 had been in rehearsal since last October. The play commenced in Church Square and processed through the town to the Castle Mound where Christ was crucified. White doves were released as a fitting finale to the event.
Photography: Martin Quince
28 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
The Passion – Jesus’ trials, crucifixion and resurrection
30 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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HISTORICALLY SPEAKING – by David Fowler, Bedford Tour Guide
John Usher – Bedford’s Gothic Architect
OHN USHER, of Blunham, the son of the Surveyor to the River Ivel Navigation, moved to an office ‘opposite St Paul’s, High Street, Bedford’ as an Auctioneer, Surveyor & Appraiser in 1846 at age 24. He was to become ‘the most original and prolific architect of 19th century Bedford’. By 1854 W B Usher & Son were at St Peters Green thereafter John moved to offices at 30 Mill Street which he designed himself. Above the door, which is reputed to have come from the Old Bedford Prison, is perhaps an acknowledgement of Usher’s own beard! “It was also said that Mr. Usher was the first man to wear a beard in Bedford after a long spell of the beardless mode in the middle of the last century. At that time Mr Usher seems to have made quite a study of the beard as the natural adornment and protection of man, and so much was he impressed with its utility that he is said to have re-set the fashion locally.” From 1866 he was at 44 High Street and ultimately in 1876 to 9 St Paul’s Square which again he had designed and where the architectural practice remained for almost ninety years. Being a nonconformist and attending the Howard Chapel, Mill Street, it was perhaps no surprise that he was asked to design the 1849 refacing and extension, also being responsible for its school at the rear in 1862. He went on to specialise in chapels: Cauldwell Street Baptist Chapel also in 1862 (demolished 1960), followed by the Baptist Chapel at Sharnbrook 1865 and Baptist Church, Mill Street 1869 (demolished 1964). His Bunyan meeting schools of 1866 were an extension and skilful imitation of the 1849 Bunyan Meeting itself. In 1867 Usher built his own house “Hiawatha” in Goldington Road, the most noteworthy of all his town houses in exuberant High Victorian style, with heavily carved bargeboards, multi coloured brickwork,
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Design for ‘Hiawatha’ 1867.
The Turnley Fountain 1870–1880.
later recycled as the base for John Howard’s statue a few yards away. 57 High Street was designed in neo-gothic style in 1871 for Henry Adkin the gunsmith. The pinnacles at the top are surmounted by gun dogs modelled by the Exeter sculptor, Harry Hems and Henry’s initials can be seen above the central secondfloor window. Usher’s long association with the Howards lead to the 1873 design of Clapham Park for James Howard, MP and twice Mayor of Bedford. This was of a style said to be “domestic gothic in general treatment with a dash of early Norman in it”. Clapham Park Farm had been the site of the steam ploughing demonstration by James Howard for Garibaldi, the Italian Patriot, in 1864. John Usher was responsible for laying out Warwick Avenue and De Parys Avenue “and may be said to have first planned out the Bedford Park in the course of the preliminaries” and ”prepared the first map of the ground for the purposes of the internments” at Bedford Cemetery, Foster Hill Road. There are many more examples of Usher’s designs around our area. 57 High Street, Adkin’s gun dogs 1871.
Venetian Gothic windows and coloured tiles. Here John Usher died in 1904; the house was demolished in 1968. One of his best surviving examples is the 1869 ‘Holly Lodge’, 43 Grove Place, less elaborate than ‘Hiawatha’, but notable for the staggered three light window marking the staircase. In 1869 Usher carried out extensions to James & Frederick Howard’s Britannia Works, built in 1858 to the designs of the London Architect, Robert Palgrave. Britannia Works was the major success story of Victorian Bedford, supplying agricultural implements worldwide. Now demolished except Palgrave’s ornate Works Entrance; one of the streets on the site is called Usher Close. Thomas Wesley Turnley, a partner in what was to become Sharman Law solicitors, retired in 1870 wishing to donate a fountain for St Paul’s Square. Usher’s elaborate design lasted for 10 years before it was demolished, its dowdy replacement on the corner of the churchyard would I am sure have made Thomas turned in his grave! The steps were
‘Holly Lodge’ 1869.
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 31
out & about comedy p
“Very funny” – Harry Hill. Jenny Collier is going to be a star! Since moving from the Welsh mountains to London in 2010 she has reached the finals of the BBC New Comedian of The Year and the prestigious NATY’s plus she won
Putting a spring in your step
Castle Comedy is sure to put a spring in your step this Spring! On May 12th the Gordon Arms, ent Shed in Bedford plays host to a selection of comics that are all destined for great things! They are quite simply some of the funniest comedians currently working in the UK. Opening the show is tony Maresse. Tony is a powerhouse of a comedian. He talks of growing up in Hackney with his Italian parents, effortlessly performing numerous characters and accents to hilariously bring his tales to life. He starred in How to be a Man (Channel 4) where in his own words he was “well funny and handsome” and also produces his own comedy short films for KillTv. “Tony Marrese is without a
The Laughing Horse New Act of The Year in 2014. She is charming, has a wonderful comic turn of phrase and can be very very naughty! ‘’Very likeable...Clearly a rising star’’ – the evening Standard
doubt one of the best live comedians I have seen at the Fringe and I even struggle to think of better live comedians I have seen elsewhere.” – Broadway Baby.
Continued on page 33 col. 1
THE
con club
KEMPSTON 01234
851120
ENTERTAINMENT EVERY WEEK Sunday 1st May KIDS PARTY 3pm – BBQ, games, prizes, disco 6.30pm – open mic night with the fantastic
DANNI BENTLEY
Created and written by Gerard Alessandrini
SHARNBROOK MILL THEATRE 7.30pm Monday 6 – Saturday 11 June An amateur production presented by Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Trust by arrangement with TRW.
Monday June 6th is CHARITY NIGHT with The Rotary Club of Rushden! Tickets at £15.00 include Drinks Reception at 6.30pm available from John Garley on (01933) 312668 Graham West on (01933) 222271 Email at john.garley09@my.northampton.ac.uk or visit www.sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.uk Registered Charity No 242164
Sunday 29th May FAMILY FUN DAY with BBQ bouncy castle games and prizes 3pm till 8pm then open mic from 8pm with the delicious
all welcome Saturday 7th May FANTASTIC ROCK BAND THE MIGHTY
DANNI BENTLEY
HUB WHIPLEY
HARKBACK
Saturday 14th May a night of SOUL AND MOTOWN with the beautiful
D AT E S F O R D I A R Y Saturday 11th June The one and only
SAHARA SOUL Saturday 21st May
GAVIN BRENNAN ROADSHOW DISCO Saturday 28th May the amazingly entertaining
BLUES BROS
Saturday 4th June band night with
DR PHIL SOUL MAN Saturday 25th June the fantastic band FASCINATION Saturday 16th July a night with OLLY MURS
CHECK FOR DETAILS www.facebook.com/conclub.kempston
32 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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at DALEY’S CLUB Bedford Road, Kempston
7.45pm Thursday July 7
Entry by TICKET ONLY £10 available from the bar or call
01234 851143
TONY MARR ES Heavy TV ch E – NATY finalist, an man Channe nel 4, How to be a l 4, Fanboy s anonymou FLIP TV... s Tony Marre se is EXCELLEN T! TIME OU T...
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comedy p
Closing the show is Cornish funnyman, Matt Price. Matt is quite possibly the best storytelling comedian working the comedy circuit. He is known for having some of the most extraordinary and outrageous stories drawn from the wilder side of life. Yet this selfeffacing Cornish born comic brings real warmth and heart to his tales as well as finding some audacious laughs in the most unexpected places. He has taken the Edinburgh Festival by storm gaining numerous rave reviews in 2014 & 2015. “A genuine ordinary guy spinning some yarns, extraordinary in their telling” HHHH Chortle “A terrific comedian and a wonderful storyteller” HHH the Scotsman. Your Mc for the show is Castle Comedy favourite, Paul Revill! The shows sell out quickly so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment! Doors open 7.30pm, Show starts at 8.15pm and tickets are £8 (£6 NUS) or £16 which includes a pre show meal and glass of wine at the Gordon Arms. To book call 07736 060541 or online at www.castlecomedy.co.uk Castle Comedy – Bringing Comedy Royalty to Bedford.
Comedy at the Barns Hotel The Barns Bedford Friday May 13
BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 33
between audience and performer-she obliterates it” edinburgh evening News.
The Barns Hotel in Cardington Road, hosted its first comedy night last month. Following this first successful comical occurrence they have a series of future events planned. Next up in May are: Mrs Barbara Nice, having recently
supported both Johnny Vegas and Peter Kay, Barbara is now a circuit headline act in her own right, as well as being one of the most experienced comperes in the country. “She doesn’t just blur the gap
and cheeky intelligent patter make him a comedian who can entertain rooms of all ages. The line-up is completed by the very bald and very angry man from Also on the bill: Craig Deeley a Birmingham-based stand-up who has crafted his art form over the last ten years. Craig’s repertoire is one of anecdotal observational comedy, combining humble self-mockery and tapping into the ridiculousness of modern life and everyday occurrences that we all recognise. Luke Graves, full of charm and confidence Luke Graves is funny and professional beyond his comedy years. His relaxed and friendly style on stage combined with his sharp joke writing, consistent punchlines
Birmingham, Dave Pollard. Check with the hotel for start times, meal and accommodation deals.
34 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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music a
Spring King +guests
Esquires, Bedford Friday May 13
Spring King is a four-piece postpunk band from Manchester. They are ‘a small-scale, art-pop-punk project’. The band hit the road for a handful of select shows following a year that saw them pick up support from the likes of The Guardian, Stereogum, NME, DIY and The Line of Best Fit, along with becoming the first ever band to be played on Beats 1; being playlisted at both Radio 1 and 6 Music; and touring with Courtney Barnett, Slaves and FIDLAR. With extensive 6music play, Radio One Maida Vale sessions, championed by Zane Lowe, the first band ever played on Apple’s Beats 1 and more there’s huge excitement in the music scene about this up-andcoming prospect. New single ‘Who Are You?’ was launched recently and announced as hottest record in the world on Radio 1 by Annie Mac and has just been ‘A’ listed on 6 Music. Huw Stephens has also just made it his record of the week on Radio 1. “From songwriting experiment to the most hyped uk guitar band of
the year” NMe “…one of the most exciting live acts in the UK: raucous but not sloppy, delivering infectious melodies with copious amounts of enery” BBC introducing “They’re either going to crash headfirst into the nearest hazard, or
they’ll speed by into stardom” DiY Mag “Like the bottled-up energy of a university house party in full swing” the telegraph The band visit Bedford Esquires on Friday 13th May with doors opening at 8pm. Tickets are on sale
now priced £8 advance from Seetickets and all the regular outlets. This will be the last tour of venues of this size so catch them up close and personal before they leap into bigger venues later in the year, you saw them here first!
live sets between original compositions and their own take on other artists songs, including their infamous ‘Prodigy Medley’. The nine piece brass band have backed some of the worlds finest, as
well as selling out shows across the world in their own right, and closing the 2012 London Olympics. They describe themselves as Contemporary brass rock/hip-hop/ Balkan/afrobeat/jazz music - all we
know is it’s going to be fun! Expect Brass, Beats & Bass! Tickets are £13 advance, on sale from Seetickets, Mario’s Hair Design in Kempston, Boutique Planet and Esquires Bar in Bedford.
The Pad presents Hackney Colliery Band Esquires, Bedford Friday May 27
“Craving a mash-up of early rave classics in frenetic, Balkan brassband style? Finally, your prayers are answered. An inspired musical collision.” “Reinventing the brass-band format for the 21st century” times “This is the most enjoyable, fun music that I know of” observer “One of the greatest live bands we have in this country” BBC radio 2 Ever craved for a night out that’s a little bit different? You’ve seen a million four piece indie rock bands, your fair share of tributes, and you’re all over watching a DJ play other peoples records for four hours. The answer? Head to Esquires on Friday 27th May, where former Amy Winehouse live collaborators Hackney Colliery Band are performing, for what promises to be one of the finest shows the venue has ever seen. The band released critically acclaimed debut album ‘Common Decency’ in 2013, and mix up their
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the quarry e
Shakespeare Untold
Think No Evil of Us
The Quarry Theatre, Bedford 4.30 & 7,30pm Fri May 6
The Quarry Theatre, Bedford 7.30pm Tuesday May 24
The stories you know from the characters you don’t! This familyfriendly double bill comes from London’s world-renowned venue, Shakespeare’s Globe, and is a great opportunity for any budding young theatricals to experience Shakespeare as they’ll have never seen before. In Romeo Untold, the story of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet is retold through the eyes of the Capulet Ball’s party planner. Titus Untold retells Shakespeare’s goriest tragedy, Titus Andronicus, as seen from the kitchen of Titus’s piemaker. These shows premiered to great critical and popular acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe, and are now touring internationally. Rediscover two Shakespearean classics together in just two hours (inc. an interval).
Written and performed by David Benson, this classic one-man show unlocks the character of one of Britain’s best-loved and most-missed entertainers. In this thrilling and hilarious tour de force we see Kenneth Williams at his funniest and at his most badly behaved. David Benson’s uncanny impersonation was also heard in the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series, ‘The Private World of Kenneth Williams’. Following its Fringe First winning debut at the Edinburgh Festival in 1996, ‘Think No Evil of Us’ played in the West End. Now it returns for a strictly limited twentieth anniversary tour in an updated version. The show continues to prove its enduring popularity both with audiences who loved Kenneth Williams and those who know nothing of his work.
music Choirs from Norway & Bedford in concert St Paul’s Church, Bedford 7pm Saturday May 7
Kongsberg Kantori, a choir from south east Norway will be singing a Bach cantata and with St Paul’s church choir a selection of other church music on Saturday 7th May at St Paul’s, Bedford, at 7.00 pm. St Paul’s church is delighted to
welcome this 50 strong choir open to all ages, founded in 1973 and directed by Matthias Anger. The choir prides itself in the quality of its singing and vocal tone and is a fitting accompaniment for St Paul’s outstanding choir directed by Ian Runnells. This choral concert in the glorious interior of St Paul’s church will be a memorable international evening. £10.00 (£5.00 F/T students and under 18) from 01234 340163 or at the door.
BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 35
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 37
the place p in the park t
Brobdingnag; visit the floating island of Laputa and a country peopled (or horsed?) entirely by talking horses... A brand-new, adventurous and delightfully innovative adaptation of Jonathan Swift’s classic satirical story loved by adults and children alike.
Blair Dunlop
Blair Dunlop, the award-winning British singer, songwriter and guitarist, will bring his keen-eyed narratives and captivating performance to The Place. Blair and his band will be performing songs from his acclaimed albums and previewing songs from his third asyet-untitled album scheduled for release in May 2016. Blair released his celebrated album House Of Jacksin mid-2014. His second full length record lived up to the promise of his 2012 debut (the quality of which contributed to his winning the BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award) and cemented his place as one of Britain’s most exciting talents to come from the folk scene. The Guardian stated that the House Of Jacks proves Blair is an increasingly adventurous songwriter, Uncut reviewed it as thoughtful and exploratory, The Independent on Sunday described it as fluent, lamentory and accomplished while Q Magazine wrote that House of Jacks is an exciting glimpse of where traditional folk might go.
8pm Thursday May 5
Tempest in a Teacup An enchanted island in the middle of the ocean and the storm to end all storms, The Tempest in a Teacup reimagine’s Shakespeare’s fantastical play for a young audience. We open Prospero’s spell book and out fly the most marvellous creatures. This is a story where fairies are conjured from thin air and books fly like butterflies around the room. Follow the plays magical characters as they explore the island and find out what happens when strangers are washed onto their land. This is a playful adventure using puppetry and storytelling, transporting the audience to this magical island in the middle of the ocean where wondrous things can
2.30 & 5pm Tues May 31
Belshazzar’s Feast Start with traditional folk music, add a touch of classical and jazz, throw in a bit of pop and music hall, and top it off with lashings of wry humour and you have a wonderfully entertaining evening with Belshazzar’s Feast. Paul Sartin (of Bellowhead and Faustus) and Paul Hutchinson (of Hoover The Dog) have together wowed audiences
8pm Thursday May 19
across the UK with their eclectic and eccentric mix of tunes and between songs chat that always sends audiences home with smiles on their faces.
Gulliver’s Travels Join Lemuel Gulliver on a fantastical and hilarious voyage into the unknown Meet the tiny people of Lilliput and the giants of
7.30pm Monday May 30
38 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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twinwood festival The original and best vintage music and dance festival
As vintage style continues to grow in popularity, every year, over the August bank holiday, Twinwood festival attracts increasing numbers of well-turned out vintage lovers to its historic site in Clapham, Bedfordshire. Now in its 15th year, the festival will be offering visitors over sixty fabulous vintage music acts, with bands like The Puppini Sisters, Alex Mendham and His Orchestra, Down for the Count, Mike Sanchez, The Bootleg Beatles and the Electric Swing Circus. Spread over eleven themed on-site venues the programme of music spans from the 30s right through to the swinging 60s and also includes Gypsy Jazz and Electro Swing! However, Twinwood Festival is not just music! 2016 will see the biggest selection of original vintage, retro and vintage reproduction traders, with well over 150 different stalls across the site. There will also be several vintage beauty salons, a men’s barbers, museums, classic
cars, dance lessons, bars, clubs, food vendors and, of course, plenty of places to dance! Twinwood Festival is also a great place to camp with picturesque
campsites providing close by, affordable and comfortable accommodation to festival goers with generous pitches, perfect for caravans, campervans, motorhomes
and tents. As if this wasn’t enough, for the first time 2016 visitors will be able to buy glamorous glamping packages for the festival in association with Brook Bell Tents.
NEW LOOK – NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED
“Sweet as a nut”
Daley’s Bedford Road, Kempston
Jonny Snooker FUNCTION ROOM Room FOR HIRE B
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Saturday 14th May
Disco in the Bar
WITH TWO RECOVERED TABLES
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3 POOL TABLES in the bar
01234 851143
THURSDAY JULY 7th – Ticket only show – £10 available from the club. Four great comedians including headline act Ian Stone, BT Sport, Fighting Talk & Mock the Week ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
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www.facebook.com/daleysclub Email: daleysclub@outlook.com
Mon-Thurs 11.30am–12midnight, Fri-Sat 11.30am-1am, Sunday 12noon-12midnight
40 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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exhibition m
Two exciting new Exhibitions at The Higgins
Now until October 2 Bedford’s War Machines
This new exhibition at The Higgins Bedford takes a close-up look at the Simplex railway locomotives made in Bedford and explores the town’s home-front contribution to the Great War. 2016 marks the centenary year in which Simplex petrol locomotives, which were integral to the allied effort on the Western Front, began to be made in Bedford. 823 Simplex Motor Rail petrol locomotives were exported to the Front from Bedford. The engines were part of a new infrastructure for getting troops, supplies and ammunition to the front lines. Simplex petrol engines were safer than steam engines, which could be targeted by the enemy and were too heavy for the mud-ridden trenches. Other engineering firms in Bedford, including W. H. Allen’s, were also involved in manufacturing war machinery and ammunition for the Front.
In 1916, W.H. Allen’s expanded, building a new factory at Biddenham, employing a predominantly female workforce and producing Le Rhone Rotary aircraft engines. The men and women making these machines in Bedford had an essential role in the eventual allied victory in the First World War.
The exhibition, in partnership with Leighton Buzzard Railway, includes a rare surviving Simplex locomotive and wagon, which will be installed in The Higgins Bedford courtyard. Lucien Freud, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Stanley Spencer and Dora
Beautiful Bodies
Carrington are all included in this exhibition: a celebration of the differing approaches to drawing the human figure taken by British artists. The exhibition is drawn exclusively from Bedford’s internationally renowned collection. The angular works of Wyndham Lewis and the gritty realism of Lucien Freud and Walter Sickert are in stark contrast to Dora Carrington’s tender drawings of her brothers. It is the first time Carrington’s drawings of Noel and Teddy have been on display at The Higgins Bedford. The works, Noel Carrington c. 1912 and Teddy Carrington c.1915 were acquired by the art gallery in 2012 from the artist’s family. Carrington would often persuade her brothers to sit for her on visits home to Bedford from the Slade School of Art and the two drawings are remarkable examples of her talent for figure drawing. Including many of the 20th century’s most influential artists, this exhibition celebrates the inspiration these artists have drawn from the human figure.
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Over 100 shows all in one tin! Does exactly what is says on the tin #itsinthecan
From thursday 21st to Saturday 30th July Bedford will host the 10th Anniversary International Festival Fringe bringing to Bedford a carefully selected programme of comedy, theatre, live music, film, dance and physical theatre to your doorstep. All these events will be held exclusively at The Quarry Theatre. It does exactly what it says on the tin… Bedfringe started back in 2007 making 2016 the tenth Bedfringe. That’s where the tin banding comes from (in case you were wondering). Bedfringe is moving into The Quarry Theatre for 10 days bringing to the main auditorium and studio theatre a dynamic range of acts ranging from stand-up comedy, theatre, music, dance to hi-tech shows like WiFi Wars where you play games against other audience members on a huge projected screen using your smart phone! Look out for some highlights including the 4th instalment of Joe Bone’s stunning Bane series, Tom Binns… the only comedian to get a five-star review in The Scotsman at last year’s Edinburgh fringe brings his brand new show and the fabulous Paul Foot will be bringing his new show Tis a Pity She’s a Piglet! There’s plenty do to for the kids as well… and thanks to Bedfordshire Inflatables, lots of garden games will be out for the little uns’ to play with including swing cars, space hoppers, connect 4, snakes and ladders and
An exciting local event bringing Bedford businesses together for a spot of wet, muddy, fun team building to raise funds for FACES Bedford charity. A wonderful charity supporting families and children in Bedford. www.facesbedford.org/ In partnership with Canoe Trails who are hosting this event and supplying everything you need we will provide a fantastic day of fun and team challenges, followed by a celebration event at The Embankment hotel. For further details: www.beds-businesswomen. org/event/faceoff-charity-battle/
limbo! So why not just come down and enjoy the wonderful bar and garden areas of The Quarry Theatre! Kids show highlights for us are Morgan & West’s Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Magic Show, Three Half Pints (stars of CBeebies Spot Bots) bring their new show Bad Guys and a special touring show (in a van!) The Last Post. So what are you waiting for? Visit www.bedfringe.com to start your Bedfringe experience! Fionna Fowler, Co-Director and James Pharaoh, Director Bedfringe.
BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 41
42 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
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proms in the park t Proms in the Park celebrates 20 years
Bedford Park Concerts are returning this year with their much loved event - The Bedford Park Proms, which will take place on the August 6. It will be made even more special this year as the Proms will celebrate its 20th anniversary and as such the audience will be treated to a spectacular night of music, fireworks
August 6, 2016
and the famous laser show as well as some other surprises on the night. The concert will feature the renowned London Gala Orchestra and as in previous years The Bedford Choral Society will be back performing popular classics and film scores. There will also be some very special guest soloists. This year Classical Brit Award winning Blake will be the headline act at Bedford Park Proms. The classical super group have sold over one million albums; they mix eclectic classical and pop songs with rich harmony vocals. Their extraordinary success has seen them tour extensively all over the world and as well as winning over the public they have also been firm favourites with Royalty, performing several times for the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Blake will be joined by Rebecca Newman, affectionately named ‘The People’s Soprano’ by fans, colleagues and the media. Singer-songwriter Rebecca Newman stormed to number one in the Official UK
Classical Albums Chart with her debut album release. She has also shared the stage with some of the biggest classical stars from Russell Watson, Alfie Boe, and Aled Jones. The night will conclude with a spectacular firework finale, which for many was the biggest highlight of
last year’s Proms. The Bedford Park Proms is one of the only shows in the country where the fireworks are truly choreographed to the music. In true Proms style, the audience is encouraged to bring picnics, table and chairs or rugs and enjoy the amazing family friendly atmosphere.
We have one pair of tickets to give away to see Tom Jones Live at Bedford Park on the 7th August To enter simply answer the following question Q: Fill in the missing blank of one of Tom’s most famous songs – It’s not ______________ Email the answer to: louise@louiseharrispr.co.uk with Tom Jones Comp in the subject heading. Good luck! NB: By entering this competition you give permission for LPH Concerts to contact you via email about their future events (martin is this allowed? )
TICKET INFORMATION tickets are now on sale at www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk Like us on Facebook - /Bedfordparkconcerts Follow us on twitter – @BedfordConcerts
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music a
Tom Jones with special guests
The Shires
Bedford Park Sunday August 7
With a career that has spanned more than half a century Toms Jones is an international performer with more than 100 million record sales generated by hits such as ‘It’s Not Unusual’,’ Kiss’, ‘Delilah’ and
‘What’s New Pussycat’, Tom Jones along with his band are set to entertain Bedford with a repertoire that spans five decades. Tom Jones has won many accolades including a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and a Silver Clef Award for Lifetime Achievement. Knighted in 2006, the global star has amassed 36 top 40 UK hits. His irresistible show traverses musical eras and genres, appeals to young and old, male and female, mainstream and cutting
edge. Tom has always been about the power of the voice, the power of the song – he is a living legend, one of the few musical artists whose profession began at the dawn of modern popular music who continues to have a vital recording and performing career to this day. Warming the crowd up and returning to their home county will be very special guests The Shires. The duo of Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes are one of the hottest country influenced acts right now. Hailing from Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, The Shires are set to warm up the Bedford crowd and open the show for what will be an electric night of fantastic music from not only one of the greatest entertainers in the world but some home grown talent too! Tickets are on sale now and expected to sell out fast. They can be purchased at: www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk
Tickets - Adults £45.00 inclusive of booking fee. Children age 5-15, £15.00 inclusive of booking fee. Under 5s, Free. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Please note this is Not a picnic concert. Fully licensed bars and a variety of hot food and drink outlets are available inside the venue.
We have one pair of tickets to give away to see Tom Jones Live at Bedford Park on the 7th August To enter simply answer the following question Q: Fill in the missing blank of one of Tom’s most famous songs – It’s not ______________ Email the answer to: louise@louiseharrispr.co.uk with Tom Jones Comp in the subject heading. Good luck!
Above Bedford Rowing Club
NB: By entering this competition you give permission for LPH Concerts to contact you via email about their future events (martin is this allowed? )
TICKET INFORMATION tickets are now on sale at
www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk Like us on Facebook - /Bedfordparkconcerts Follow us on twitter – @BedfordConcerts
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Best river view in Bedford
The Boat House Duck Mill Lane Bedford MK42 0AX Tel: 01234 353183
Open Weekdays 6.00pm – 10.30pm Saturday 10am–10.30pm Sunday 10.30am–5pm
WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY Evening 6.30pm – 9pm SATURDAY 11am – 8pm : SUNDAY 11am – 4pm Email: steward@bedfordrowing.co.uk
GOOD FOOD SERVED
Christenings : Birthdays : Parties Weddings : Funerals
ROOM HIRE AVAILABLE Opposite the Swan Hotel on the Embankment
The Best Riverside Venue in Bedford
44 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016
The 19th bi-annual Bedford River Festival The 2014 festival saw visitor’s numbers reach an amazing 250,000. This year’s River Festival promises to be even more popular with 100 boats already signed up to attend, twenty three of which have not been seen at the event previously. Events on the river include competitions for the best decorated narrow boats and cruisers; an
Sat 16 – Sun 17 July
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illuminated boat parade; kayak slalom; the ever popular Dragonboat races on Saturday, and raft racing on Sunday. In addition, 2016 marks 850 years since the signing of the Royal Charter by King Henry II. The charter granted new rights and powers to the people of Bedford and the River Festival will host a twelfth century village on honour of this special anniversary. The Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said ‘The River Festival is a fantastic event that that is powered by Bedford Borough’s community spirit. There is always a
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vast array of attractions for people of all ages to enjoy, and I am looking forward to seeing this year’s programme develop as the event approaches.’ Program details are yet to be finalised and Bedford Borough Council’s events team are still accepting applications for participation in the Dragonboat races, raft races, and the Carnival Parade. For information about getting involved please visit: https://www.bedfordcornexchange.c o.uk/downloads/index.php.
events t
Busk Till Dusk St John’s Hospice Saturday August 13
Following the amazing success of last year’s event, Busk till Dusk 2016 is back even bigger and better. There were some fantastic acts, some whom are reappearing this year. The event takes place on August 13 at St John’s Hospice. This festival-in-a-day really has something for everyone. From classical to rock, pop and everything in between you won’t be disappointed. It’s an event that you won’t forget, while raising lots of money for your local hospice. It’s going to be a superb day and one you won’t want to miss. Last year There was a mix of visitors of all ages. They welcome music lovers to bring their blankets, picnics and painted faces. There will be something for everybody including a variety of food traders and our very own St John’s Bar serving real ales, cider and Pimms, with all profits coming to the hospice. For tickets: www.busktilldusk.com/
Cruising season has started
With the arrival of spring the John Bunyan Community Boat takes to the river again for its fourth season on Bedford’s beautiful River Great Ouse. Since its launch in July 2013 the boat has carried over 15,000 people on private and public cruises. The 2016 programme starts on Sunday 1st May cruising from Priory Marina, calling in at Sovereigns Quay (next to the Star Rowing Club) and cruising up to Kempston. On Thursday afternoons the cruises run from Sovereigns Quay towards Cardington Lock. Other regular public cruises include a three hour cruise to Great Barford to The Anchor for lunch, a cruise from the Town Centre to The Barns Hotel for Afternoon Tea, a Saturday evening Fish & Chip Super Cruise, the very popular Sunset Cruise and Afternoon Tea Cruises run in conjunction with The Bedford Swan Hotel. The highly acclaimed Thursday evening Jazz Cruises continue on a monthly basis featuring top jazz musicians. Full details can be found on the website: www.johnbunyanboat.org. Tickets for the public cruises can be purchased on line, and at The Travel & Tourist Office at Bedford Bus Station, or the Corn Exchange Box Office, No. 13 St. Paul’s Square or by phone 01946 817456.
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literature m Half a Pound of Tuppeny Rice
Local author talks to Steve Lowe about his first novel
Oscar Wilde once said that: “Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life.” A new mystery novel just published by David Coubrough disagrees with Wilde, at least in its origins. The young David enjoyed family holidays in Cornwall with his family. They got to know other families away at the same hotel, on the edge of St Ives, who holidayed at the same time, and it became an annual pilgrimage. Holiday friends became life long friends and Cornwall became, if not a second home, then a much visited friend. So when, after a life running his own and helping to run other peoples businesses, David suddenly had an urge to write a novel, Cornwall seemed the obvious location. Once started, the plot of the book ‘Half a Pound of Tuppeny Rice’ definitely
events t International Kite Festival
Russell Park, Bedford Sat & Sun June 11 & 12
Bedford Borough Council is getting ready to host the 14th Annual International Kite Festival and
thickens. In the novel each summer a group of families holiday together in St Ives. This continues for many years, as families and children live together for a fortnight each year. Then, in 1972, their lives are shattered and they never meet up again. In a lane near the village a night porter is found fatally poisoned. Later that week the body of a man is washed ashore under mysterious circumstances, apparently drowned. All five fathers are questioned but released, and no-one was ever charged. For Grant Morrison, then aged seventeen, it was the last family holiday, the last golden summer. The devastating events troubled him for decades and finally, nearly forty years later, he decides it’s time to find out the truth, revisiting the Cornish places of his youth. It could cost him his life, but he had to find out. That is the plot of the novel. In reality David still loves Cornwall, still holidays there and still sees some of his old friends. I met him in his home in Oakley. David said: “Those who know
you’re invited! Each year, this free event attracts thousands of visitors to Bedford and is a great day out for the family. The event showcases kites from the four corners of the globe.The Kite Festival is open on Saturday, from 10am – 6pm, and on the Sunday, from 10am – 5pm.
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INSIDE
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 45
Cornwall will recognise many of the settings and enjoy the location, not quite as much as the book I hope. It has many twists and turns and there is a final twist at the end. “Writing a novel is new for me, having been involved all my working life in either running businesses, often in catering, or helping to set up businesses, as well as management recruitment. “So this is a new venture, but one I have absolutely loved, and I hope the readers will as well.” So much so, he is already working on a sequel. As much as David, who hails from Radlett, loves Cornwall, he also loves Oakley and the villages of north Bedfordshire. “They have their own charm, and although are relatively unfashionable when compared to places like the Cotswolds, are very lovely.” And who knows, his third novel may uncover dark deeds amid the rural calm of north Bedfordshire.
46 — BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 ST PAUL’S CHURCH, BEDFORD,
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BEDFORD ART SOCIETY
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7.00 pm Saturday 7 May
JAZZ ON THE GREAT OUSE
meeting, 7.15 for 7.30 start, at Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford, MK41 8EB
CONCERT
Choirs from Norway and Bedford in joint concert Choral concert jointly by Konsberg Kantori and S Paul’s church choir Bach cantatas and other works
£10.00 (£5.00 F/T students and under 18) from 01234 340163 or at the door. 7.00 for 7.30 pm Saturday 14 May
CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL
by local and international artists: guitar, voice, piano duets and solos by tamara McCoy and Valerie Hartzell works by Carulli, Liszt, Dyens, Albeniz, Boccherini, and de Falla £12.00 (£10.00 concessions) from 01234 340163 or at the door. PROCEEDS TO ST PAUL’S CHURCH.
More information. http://www.stpaulschurchbedford.org .uk/index.shtml ST PAUL’S SQUARE, BEDFORD MK40 1SQ
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MUSIC NIGHT
tHe FeNNY StoMPerS JAzz BAND Bedford Lions Club are proud to announce a fundraising event on
Saturday 7 May 2016 Bromham Village Hall, Village road, Bromham Mk43 8JP The musicians will be ‘The Fenny Stompers Jazz Band’ from Fenny Stratford, near Bletchley, Milton Keynes.
The prime purpose of the event is to raise funds for Beds & Northants MS Therapy Centre. Tickets are available from any member of Bedford Lions Club, or the lions ticket website: liontickets@outlook.com
Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets are £13 per person, the price includes a fish and chip supper.Friday 6th May 2016 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Following the success of last year’s Jazz on the Great Ouse Cruises the John Bunyan Boat Team are pleased to announce the programme for 2016. The cruises which are run in association with Olney Jazz Club, Consica Jazz and The Barns Hotel feature top national and local jazz musicians. The programme is: thursday May 19th PIANO JAZZ with the ALAN HAUGHTON TRIO featuring Alan Haughton (piano) Tomas Pedersen (double bass) Bobby Orr (drums) thursday June 23rd RICHARD ExALL (sax/clarinet) with ALAN HAUGHTON (piano) BOBBY ORR (drums) thursday July 21st RACHEL AND FRIENDS featuring RACHEL HICKEY (vocals) BILL MEREDITH (piano) NIGEL EMERTON (double bass) thursday August 18th GARRY WOOD SWING BAND featuring GARY WOOD (vocals and trumpet) RONNIE FERN (Drums) ALAN HAUGHTON (piano) thursday September 22nd TOM SYSON TRIO, featuring TOM SYSON (trumpet) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Addison Centre Kempston Fund Raising
TEA DANCE
MoNDAY 23rd MAY 2016 2.00pm to 4.30pm £2.50 (Incl Cuppa) Tel: 01234 851877 or 01234 340997
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KEMPSTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ CLUB DANCING, WHIST, BINGO Meets wednesday 10am-12noon Friday 10am-4.00pm
at the CENTENARY HALL, behind Kempston Town Hall, Bedford Road For further information telephone:
Linda Travers Smith demonstrates using watercolour and ink
Ursula Buchan will talk about the
PARKSIDE SINGERS
Visitors very welcome Admission £4 per meeting (non Members) - includes Raffle & Refreshments
Friday 6th May 2016
Entry is free for members, £5 for visitors. Contact Jean Paterson 01234 307210 or www.bedsartsociety.co.uk for information.
–––––––––––––––––––––––– are giving a
CONCERT
2.30pm Sunday May 15th to help raise funds towards Aragon Day 2017.
Tickets cost £7 each and are available from COUNTRY PROPERTIES AMPTHILL tel: 01525 403033 or tel 01525 751629.
WILSTEAD PLAYERS
–––––––––––––––––––––––– Wilstead Players are offering a
RIOTOUS COMEDY entitled
‘the Haunted through Lounge and Dining Nook at Farndale Castle’ by David McGillivary and Walter Zerlin Jnr
It features the inept Drama Society of the Farndale Avenue Townswomen’s Guild attempting to perform a play which inevitably goes horribly wrong! Performances in wilstead are
6th and 7th May.
tickets £8 from Box office 01234 740782
01234 857011 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ALL SAINTS CHURCH Great Barford Proudly presents
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SHANNON EXPRESS
ILLUSTRATED TALK IS
Saturday 18th June 2016 from 7.00pm – 9.30pm £10.00 per ticket (to include refreshments and free glass of wine.) Please contact: Maureen Munnelly on 01234 870633 or Ann Lovesey on 01234 870693 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BIDDENHAM GARDENERS’ ASSOCIATION tuesday 17th May at 7:45 for 8pm Biddenham Village Hall
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BEDFORDSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Friday 6 May 2016
WINGS OVER THURLEIGH
Mark Rutherford School Drama Hall Bedford MK42 9Rx www.bfhs.org.uk . Next talk will be Friday 1 July 2016
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‘HISTORY OF ENGLISH GARDENS’
www.biddenhamgardenersassociation.org.uk BRITISH RED CROSS BEDFORDSHIRE
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OPEN GARDENS 2016 Sunday 8 May, 1.30- 5pm
Gardens of westoning, Mk45 5Jw. teas, toilets, plants, parking. Sunday 15 May, 1.30-5pm
Milton House, Milton ernest, Mk441rL teas, toilets, plants, parking. Monday 30 May, 1.30-5pm
tofte Manor, Souldrop rd, Beds. Mk44 1HH. teas, toilets, plants, parking. Sunday 5 June, 1.30-5pm
oakley Gardens, westfield road, Mk43 7SU. teas, toilets, plants, parking. Sunday 12 June, 1.30-5pm,
Howbury Hall, Bedford, Mk41 0JB. teas, toilets, plants, parking. Sunday 26 June, 1pm to 5pm
turvey House and Garden, Beds., Mk43 8eL. teas, toilets, plants, parking.
£6.00 pre-book for house & garden by 12th June, telephone Natasha on 01582589083. Garden only on the day £4.00
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MID BEDS ART SOCIETY
SPRING EXHIBITION
10am- 4pm Saturday 28th - Monday 30th May, 2016 Flitwick Village Hall Dunstable Road, Flitwick MK45 1HP Free Entry & Parking Paintings by Local Artists Paintings Demonstrations Refreshments Available Tombola
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TEL: 07724 905406 or 07894 935952 email: advertising@rosettapublishing.com
OUT OF OFFICE CHALLENGE
24 June 2016 Get together with your work colleagues and join us for a day of volunteering, team building and networking. Teams will compete for points throughout the day, with exciting prizes for the winning team. 17 July – 1.00pm – 5.00pm A summer memorial event to be held in the grounds with the opportunity to purchase sunflower plaques with you loved ones name.
ART EXHIBITION
13 August – 3.00pm -10.00pm Come and experience 20 Acts performing across 3 stages in this one day music festival. This summer event is guaranteed to be a great day out for all. To book your tickets go to www.sueryder.org/busktilldusk
COUNTRY FAYRE
14 August – 11.00am – 4.30pm Come along to St John’s Hospice country fayre and enjoy a day of best attractions including vintage cars, birds of prey, archery, craft stalls, dog show, food court and much more. www.suryder.org/countryfayre
STARLIGHT WALK
WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 7.30 – 10.00pm –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Members £5 PAY AT Non-Members £6 DOOR –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Contact: 01234 344423 www/Organfax/clubs/Bedford ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
MOGGERHANGER
PL ANT SALE Friday 20th May 10a.m. to 1p.m.
COFFEE MORNING Saturday 21st May 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PLOUGHMAN’S LUNCHES CREAM TEAS Sunday 22nd May 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
CREAM TEAS
Saturday 28th May
MAY MADNESS
In aid of MacMillan Cancer Support Starting at 1pm
in the evening
DISCO
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO MACMILLAN ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
There will also be many other attractions such as: cake stall, tombola, jewellery, baby clothes, bric-a-brac, toys, games, books & plants, Grand Draw, MU stall & bouncy castle and a ‘bargain basement’ There will also be tea coffee and cakes. Please come along to support the church and also to enjoy a friendly family atmosphere. CHRIST CHURCH BEDFORD
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PL ANT SALE
Sunday 8th May 11.30-1.00 Where?... Christ Church gardens. Denmark Street (in church halls if wet) It’s the place to be! Everyone is welcome! Why?.. We are raising money for the Home of Hope Orphanage in Malawi. Some of our church young people are spending two weeks at the orphanage and are fundraising for this trip. Also, money raised at the plant sale will be used to support a tree nursery for much needed trees and fuel efficient stoves through Neno Macadamia trust. on sale... Plants, Bric a Brac, twin a tree, twin a Stove, twin a kitchen, Cakes! Also... face painting fun, cook stove demonstrations, live music, presentations and refreshments so... Plenty for all!
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Wednesday
OLYMPIC THEME
There will be organised games for children, bouncy castle, bucking bronco bull, BBQ, auction, raffle and various other activities
SHeFForD MAJoretteS
25%
At Little Orchard, 36 Blunham Road Chalton, Moggerhanger MK44 3RA Raffle - Cake Stall - Pickles & Preserves Bedding plants, hanging baskets, tomato plants, vegetable plants, herbs, perennials and much more For more information call Jo Hollington on 01767 641184 All proceeds to St. John’s Church –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– COCK INN WOOTTON
Saturday 4th June at 12noon Entrance 50p (children free) Come along and enjoy a performance of ‘batton twirling’ by the:
OFF
12 November – 7pm – 1.00am Our yearly ball will be taking place at The Park Inn Hotel Bedford. Get your glam rags ready and register your interest. For further info call 01767 642412 email: stjohnsfundraising@sueryder.org ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
IN CONCERT
SUMMER FAIR
5 course meal £9.95
CHARITY BALL
CLAIRE GREIG
ON TAKE AWAY COLLECTIONS ON ORDERS OVER £12
24 September - 8.00pm walk starts at 10.00pm A 10k and 5k walk around the hospice grounds and local area. A wonderful night full of fun, and memories. Sign up now to take advantage of our early bird offer. Email stjohnsfundraising@sueryder.org for more.
Present Popular Organist
9 The Broadway, Bedford MK40 2TJ 01234 340888/341444
BUSK TILL DUSK
THE ADDISON CENTRE –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Finest Bangladeshi & Indian Cuisine
20 -21 July To be held at St John’s Hospice. Visit www.sueryder.org/stjohns for more.
CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION (Bedford Road, opposite the Addison Howard Park)
Brasserie
GARDEN OF MEMORIES
BEDFORD ORGAN & KEYBOARD CLUB
Menus on-line: www.bengalbrasseriebedford.co.uk
ST JOHN’S HOSPICE forthcoming events
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BEDFORD BULLETIN MAY 2016 — 47
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