the bedford clanger - june 2016

8/16/2019 The Bedford Clanger - June 2016

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JUNE 2016

CLANGER

THE BEDFORD

t he bed f o rdc la nge r.com

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Everything local for arts, culture, retail and more!Search for local events! Upload your own events!

CASTLE QUAY WEEKENDER • KITE FESTIVAL • BIG HIGH STREET SHOWCASE

To advertise contact [email protected] or 07966 696784

C o v e r i m a g e b y : E m m a L e m o n / e m m a l e m o n . c o . u

k


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THE BEDFORD CLANGER JUNE 20

2

THIS CLANGER WASBROUGHT TO YOU BY:Editor: Erica Roffe

@bedfordclanger [email protected]

Graphics: Reaction Visual Media

reactionvisual.media / @reactionvm

Advertising: Julia Crofts

@ClangerAds / [email protected]

Cover Image: Emma Lemon / emmalemon.co.uk

Hometown Tourist research: David Fowler

bedfordtourguides.org

Photography: Cat Lane cat-lane.co.uk

Theatre: Paula Walker @pauliwauli

Musos: Lloyd Lugsden @lloydlugRichard Smith @thefabness

Foodie: Stephen Bywater @authorbywater

Gardening guru: Jane Perrone

@janeperrone perrone.blogs.com

Ethical Living: Lucy Bywater

Columnists: Neil Frankel @riversidebeds

riversidetennisbedford.co.uk

Kris Wilkinson-Hughes @euphonioushoney

The Last Word: Reverend Sonya Wratten

Challenge Chris: Chris Demott

chrisdemottphotography.com

LETTER FROM

THE EDITOR KICKSTART BEDFORDBOYS’ MISSION

LET’S HEAR IT FORTHE VOLUNTEER!

Alex Somervell and Jonny Pryn, the co-founders of One Third

Stories are on a mission to inspire more children to learn

foreign languages.

Johnny grew up struggling to learn French, his cockney

accented primary school teacher didn’t help, nor did the bland

and boring textbooks. At the other end of the linguistic spectrum,

Alex grew up bilingual and has always found languages fun and

easy. The two friends put their differing experiences together to

create One Third Stories while they were studying at Uni.

In under 40 hours, their Kickstarter campaign hit its target.

The funding will allow them to create a children’s book that

starts in English and ends in a different language by gradually

adding in foreign words in easy-to-understand contexts. Johnny

came up with their Clockwork Method, inspired the dystopian

classic A Clockwork Orange - where alien words (moloko/droog)

are introduced into an English context. He realised it would work

if foreign words were introduced into an English context.

If you’d like to support Alex and Jonny, head to

onethirdstories.com to nd out more.

Follow along on Twitter @onethirdstories

By Kris Wilkinson-Hughes

I recently saw an article by Jon Stewart (former host of the Daily Show) about how everyone should

do at least of year of voluntary service. Military, charity work, community service, assist in schools,

etc… and I wanted to pick up on this point. I run a children’s music group – it is not voluntary and

I do get paid for my work. I do, however, frequently donate my time doing events and charity work

(St John’s Hospice springs to mind). After my Thursday session, a group comes in to work with

carers (spouses) of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. It’s an incredible group, they offer tea and

biscuits and sandwiches and a break to those who spend all of their time looking after their loved ones

concurrent with an activity. Run by volunteers, all but one. Older ladies. And it occurred to me. Why do

we associate volunteering with the retired, the older set? How incredible would it be to see a wave of

youth spread through the community meeting people, helping people, learning new things or teaching

others what they know. Just getting stuck in for the sake of (and this is the tricky part) – nothing. Just theenjoyment of helping. Try it youngsters and stay at home moms and part timers, you might like it. (to

nd out more about the group I mentioned above, please phone 01234 327380)

GET OUT THERE AND VOLUNTE

Summer’s here and B edford’s

festival season has well and

truly begun. The Kite Festival,

Love Bedford Day, the Big

High Street Showcase and theCastle Quay Weekender all kick

off the celebrations, with the

River Festival and Bedfringe

taking up the baton in July.

Herd are even bringing a touch

of Carnival to St Cuthbert’s

Street – so if you’re after some

Good Times, we recommend

swinging by on 11th June.

We love it when readers are inspired by an article in the

Clanger. Last month, Lucy Bywater wrote about the rise of

repair cafes in towns and cities across the world. The piece

sparked a conversation which – ngers crossed – will see a

repair café pop up in Bedford later this year. If you’re inspired

to make something great happen here, then do get in touch or

post something on our Facebook page. Who knows? It could be

the start of something brilliant. Happy June!

Erica, Julia & Team Clanger

ROGAN’SBOOKSRECEIVESGRANTRogan’s Books was recently awarded a

grant from author James Patterson. The

internationally renowned writer developed

a grant programme to benet independent

bookshops across the UK and USA and

his total donations have now hit £500,000,

with almost 300 independent bookshopsreceiving funding.

“For the children of Bedfordshire, this

grant will help Rogan’s Books develop our

current premises to turn the drab and cold

back rooms of the shop into exciting and

welcoming spaces for children to use and

explore,” said Rachael, the eponymous

owner. “Expect magical cosy reading

nooks, exciting and welcoming learning

spaces, and an upgraded customer toilet

with changing facilities!”

Rogan’s Books, 27 Castle Road,

Bedford, MK40 3PL rogansbooks.co.uk

T H E

C L A NG E R

N E W S I N B R I E F


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HE BEDFORD CLANGER JUNE 2016

3FEAR OF POLLUTED WATER... DRINK BEER!

T H E C L A N GE R

U N I Q U E BE DF O R D

EUROSTORES STANLEY STREET, BEDFORD

with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to a shop that has

n part of the Black Tom landscape since 23rd October 1990.

n and Maria Cataldo opened their Italian deli nearly 26 years

, but on 8th June they are retiring and the Stanley Street shopl close its doors for the last time.

Until 1990, John worked at Granada and I worked at BhS,”

d Maria. “John wanted to work for himself, so we bought

shop. The area has always been very family oriented and

re is a lovely community of loyal customers here. We’ve seen

tomers’ children grow up and now they’re shopping here with

r own children.”

As we all know, the retail landscape has changed dramatically

he last few years and John and Maria have felt the impact

he rise of supermarkets. “Years ago our fridges would be

sting with all sorts of different foods, we’d make lled rolls

for lunches for local businesses and on Sundays, customers would

be queuing round the door for still-warm bread that we’d collect

direct from the bakery on Gladstone Street. There are fewer

businesses here now, the bakery is now ats and people can get

more exotic foreign food from Sainsbury’s. That has affected

small delis like ours.”

Although John and Maria are looking forward to their

retirement, it is tinged with sadness. “I’m looking forward to

having a rest,” said Maria. “I don’t know about John though –

I’m sure I’ll nd something for him to do!”

We’re certain the residents of Black Tom – and further aeld –

would like to wish John and Maria a wonderful retirement and thank

them for their years of service to the local community. Stanley Street

won’t be the same without them, and we’ll miss them.

Charles Higgins, Cecil’s grandfather,

became tenant of the recently rebuilt Swan

Inn in 1823. Trade prospered so well that

by 1837 he was able to rent the Castle

Close, a part of the original site of Bedford

Castle from the Duke of Bedford, building

the brewery and house there. Because of

fears of polluted water, beer was drunk

all and the brewery proved very protable. Charles was Mayor of

dford when there was an outbreak of cholera during 1849 - a silver

, now in the Mayors Parlour, was presented to him recording

“zeal, ability and humanity” during the outbreak. Cecil’s father,

orge, became a partner in the Castle Brewery at the age of 21 in

8, taking control ten years later. He married Caroline Colburn in

4, moving into their newly built house, Castle Close next to the

wery in 1846, which she lled with ne furniture, china, clocks,

ks and plate, many of which were her family possessions.

Cecil was born in Castle Close in 1856, attended Bedford Grammar

ool between the ages 9 and 13 years, later being sent to be educated

Heidelberg and travelling in Switzerland. Cecil’s mother died in

7, when he was 11, his father marrying Sophia Couchman, sister

Mayor of Bedford three years later. She was as well-educated

Caroline had been and “was on most affectionate terms” with her

pchildren. By 1887 Cecil had his own establishment at Newnham

dge in Newnham Street, he never married, moving sometime in the

0s to London near Berkeley Square, while his brother Lawrence

tinued to live at Castle Close with their sister Edith.

n 1884 Cecil and his brother leased Castle Mound from the

ke of Bedford, together with the garden around it, creating an

baceous garden on the site of the current extension. In about

7 Lilian Stannard, a member of the well-known Bedford family

of artists, painted a picture of the garden. The Ice House (currently

closed) set into the Castle Mound was built to serve the house, but

probably provided the Swan and other local businesses with ice

as well. Castle Close was sold in 1910 to a Bedford doctor, then

being bought by Bedford Corporation in 1924. Cecil moved nearer

to Piccadilly continuing to ll his house with beautiful things and

in 1919 to Queen Anne Street, London. At the age of 71, with no

Higgins to continue the business, it was sold to Wells and Winch.

With funds in hand Cecil decided to spend the last years of his life

extending his collection and donating it to the proposed museum in

Bedford; providing the Corporation supplied the building and paid

the staff, he would leave his capital to trustees to enable them to

buy more exhibits. He engaged a young ceramics expert working

for Sothebys to advise him, his collection of porcelain and glass

eventually becoming one of the best in a provincial museum.

When he died in 1941, the museum pieces were stored for safety in

Hinwick House and Turvey House until the Cecil Higgins Museum

opened to the public in 1949 in his old home, Castle Close.

MONDAY NIGHT IS QUIZ NIGHT AT

Only £2 per person. Starts 8pm. Will you win the cash or the wooden spoon?!

TO FIND OUT MORE

66 Stanley Street | Bedford | Beds | MK41 7RU | 01234 330056

Real ales • pies & toasties • bar games • music • courtyard garden

Alternating between Steve’s Brain Taxer or

The all new, exciting Smartphone quiz!

Check out Facebook for full details

Facebook.com/theburnabyarmsbedford

GRAB

SOME FRIENDSAND GET

A TEAMTOGETHER!

LABELS

quarrytheatre.org.uk

Friday 17 June

7.30pm

The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s is part of Bedford School, which is part of The Harpur Trust

Ticket price£12(£10 concessions)

Age suitability

12 yrs +

Running time60mins

Labels draws on writer and performer Joe

Sellman-Leava’s experiences of mixed

heritage to explore the broader issues of

racism, immigration and displacement.

Free tickets available for students, to

reserve please call the box office.

“it should be shown in schools and theatres all

over the country” ***** BROADWAY BABY

Winner: Scotsman Fringe First Award 2015

Box office

01234 362337

GREAT BEDFORDIAN:CECIL HIGGINS

Y DAVID FOWLER, BEDFORD TOUR GUIDES BEDFORDTOURGUIDES.ORG


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4 WE CAN’T WAIT FOR A TEN MINUTE TO

WHERE IS IT?

The Castle Quay Weekender will take place in and

around Castle Lane. On Saturday, the Archaeology Park

will host the live music stage with events also taking

place on Castle Mound, at the Higgins Bedford and on

Castle Bailey Gardens. Restaurants, bars and coffee

shops are all on site to provide much needed sustenance!

WHAT’S GOING ON?

From live music to food, circus workshops to an arts

and crafts market, there is something for everyone at

the Castle Quay Weekender. The BedPop Record Shop

will be popping up at the Higgins, Bedford’s Spiral

free runners will be demonstrating their awesome skills(and running workshops too) and there’ll be dancers

popping up all over the place.

MUSIC

Live music has long been a key part of Bedford

nightlife, with a strong and growing reputation for

producing bands capable of making it big. Over the

weekend, the Castle Quay Weekender will host a

selection of the area’s best bands and solo artists, as

well as a few visitors from further aeld. The main

stage on Saturday will be on the Archaeology Park

and will play host to a wide variety of acts from the

Barford Avenue All-Stars to My Girl the River, The

Broadway Twisters to headliners, Rags Rudi.

On Sunday, the live music will move to the Higgins’

Terrace while The Lane hosts the soul sounds of DJs

Geoff and Hammy, Paul Miller and Robert Gipson.

There will be something for everyone!

FREE RUNNERS

Bedford’s Spiral Free Runners will be showcasing

their jaw-dropping skills on Saturday with a

performance from 12 – 1pm and workshop on the

Higgins’ terrace between 2 – 3pm.

Using street furniture and buildings

in their routines, they’re defnitely

going to draw a crowd!

Workshop spaces are limited to 30 participants,

so book yours now: eventbrite.co.uk/e/spiral-free-

runners-workshop-at-cqw-tickets-25522309916

(Age guidance: 8+)

ART & CRAFT MARKET

ON THE HIGGINS’ LAWN

Bedford’s best artists, designers, makers, bakers,

crafters and illustrators will be selling their wares in

the Art and Crafts Market. There will be unique art

handmade crafts, jewellery and it’s a great chance t

meet the makers and nd out more about the wealth

creativity in Bedford.

CULTURE AT CASTLE QUAY

The museum and gallery’s permanent collections

are well worth a look, but if you haven’t got time to

take in everything why not take a Ten Minute Tou

throughout the day. The perfect way to whet yourappetite for a return visit!

Castle Quay sponsor KSK has offered their MD a

artists’ model for the day for a Portrait Masterclas

Charles Little will be in the Wixamtree Gallery at th

Higgins and visitors are invited to draw his portrait

under the expert guidance of a professional artist. K

are offering a prize for the best drawing.

Spoken word artist, Lee Nelson will be hosting a

Poetry Slam for all the family on Saturday 18th Ju

at 3pm in the Friends of Refugees’ tent. Well know

IN 2011 THE FIRST CASTLE QUAY WEEKENDER TOOK PLACE IN SEVEN EMPTY UNITS

ON CASTLE LANE AND ATTRACTED 5000 VISITORS. THE LEGACY OF THAT EVENT

WAS FAR-REACHING, INCLUDING BEING THE CATALYST FOR THE LAUNCH OF THIS

VERY NEWSPAPER. FIVE YEARS ON AND THOSE VACANT SHOPS ARE THRIVING

INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BUSINESSES SURROUNDING CASTLE

MOUND AND THE ARCHAEOLOGY PARK, WITH THE HIGGINS BEDFORD AT ITS

HEART. AND THE CASTLE QUAY WEEKENDER IS BACK TO CELEBRATE.

T H E C L A N G E R B E D F O R D N E W S

Oh Sew Vio

Spiral Free Runners


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5

T 01844 348100

E [email protected]/volunteering

We’re looking for dog lovers in Bedford to

train gorgeous puppies in their homes.

Train a puppy,change a life

Do you have:

A house with a secure garden?

Plenty of time to spare?

A love of dogs?

If so, get in touch to nd out howyou could help change lives,

improve your dog training skills,

and meet lots of friendly, like-minded

people along the way!

Registered charity in England and Wales

no. 293358 and in Scotland no. SC040486

VE ALWAYS WANTED TO LEARN TO JUGGLE!

the poetry circuit, Lee will be performing his own

ork and introducing local poets in this fast-paced

lebration of the spoken word. Participants of all ages

e encouraged, but must register by 2.30pm.

To mark Refugee Week, the Higgins Bedford is

sting a number of events including a display of the

longings of refugees who have ed to Britain. The

bjects from Distant Lands exhibition will take place

the foyer and the lm of the same name, made by

an Doyle, will be shown throughout the day.

The Sir William Harpur Gallery at the Higgins will

st Bedford Re-Imagined, an exhibition of work

nal year interior design and interior architecture

udents from the University of Bedfordshire. Theojects are based on the Higgins Sheds and the former

opps Tiles showroom at 26 St Cuthbert’s Street.

EFORE I DIE WALL – BE PART OF ART!

efore I Die is an interactive public art project that

vites people to share their personal aspirations in

blic space. The original wall was created by artist

andy Chang in 2011 and since then, over 1,000

efore I Die walls have been created in 73 countries

d 36 languages.

Thanks to Lisa Sanderson, artist Anne-Marie Stijelia,

the Higgins Bedford, Homebase and BedPop, the

Castle Quay Weekender will debut Bedford’s very own

Before I Die wall.

Located outside the Higgins, you are invited to add

your own dreams, aspirations and thoughts to it. Write

on it, read it, photograph it, share it and be part of it.

The Before I Die wall will also be part of Bedford

River Festival in July and the BedPop Fun Palaces in

October. @beforeidiewall on Instagram, beforeidie.cc

CONTENTMENT

On the Higgins’ lawn you’ll nd ConTENTment, the

Castle Quay Weekender’s home to happiness.Hosted by the #breakthestigma team, ConTENTment

will be lled with ideas, people, concepts and

opportunities to help you nd your own personal nirvana.

Taking up a hobby or volunteering, discovering

sport or trying meditation – there are lots of ways to

enhance and maintain your mental wellbeing. Come

to ConTENTment and meet people, try things, share

ideas and put a smile on your face. Go to bedpop.

co.uk for an up-to-date timetable of activities in

ConTENTment.

Taking up a hobby or volunteering,

discovering sport or trying meditation

– there are lots of ways to enhance and

maintain your mental wellbeing

FAMILY FUN

There’s something for all the family at the Castle Quay

Weekender. On Saturday morning, Bedford Juggling

Club will be running circus skills workshops on

Castle Mound. Throughout the weekend, the Circus

of Illustration will host art workshops in the Art and

Craft Market on the lawn of the Higgins and make

sure you head to Narrative Industries at Animal Studioon Castle Lane for loads of arty animation activities.

The crew from Dancevybz will be popping up with

demos and dance workshops and there are facepainters

too. All of this to a backdrop of live music, delicious

food and (we hope) glorious sunshine!

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO DOWNLOAD

THE PROGRAMME, GO TO BEDPOP.CO.UK OR

PICK UP A PROGRAMME FROM TOWN-CENTRE

LOCATIONS INCLUDING BEDFORD CENTRAL

LIBRARY AND THE HIGGINS BEDFORD.

COMPETITION

The Kiosk at the Park wants to see your photos of the Castle

Quay Weekender, so please do share them for a chance to

win an adult and child’s hamper. All you need to do is like

the CQWeekender and Kiosk at the Park Facebook pages and

share your photo on one of the pages. You can also share them

on twitter, tagging @cqweekender and including #pickmypic.

Photos must be uploaded by midnight on Saturday 18th June

and the winners must collect their hampers on Sunday 19th

June. (By submitting your photograph you are consenting to it

being used for promotional use.)

Rebecca de Winter Chill at the Grill What will you write?

Spaghetti John’s gelato by mubsta.comThe other Lee Nelson


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theplacebedford.org.uk/tickets • 01234 354321

EL PATIOTEATRO

A MANO

THURSDAY 16 JUNE6.30PM

AGE6+

t. :

FINALLY A CHANCE TO BE INDIANA JON

LABELS

TheQuarry Theatreat St.Luke’sispartof BedfordSchool,which ispartof TheHarpurTrust

Box office01234 362337www.quarrytheatre.org.uk

Friday 17 June, 7.30pm

Free tickets available for students, to reserve please call the box office.

Labels draws on writer and performer Joe Sellman-Leava’s experiences ofmixed heritage to explore the broader issues of racism, immigration anddisplacement.

Winner: Scotsman Fringe First Award 2015

THE

CL ANGER

PICK OF THE MONTH

FREE 10 MINUTE TOURSOF BEAUTIFUL BODIES ATTHE HIGGINS BEDFORDOn Saturday June 4th and Saturday June 11th join Higgins

volunteer Andrew Rodgers for free 10 minute tours of the new

exhibition, Beautiful Bodies. The talks are at 2pm, 2.30pm 3pm

and 3.30pm.

The exhibition includes

works by Dora Carrington,

Henry Moore, Barbara

Hepworth, Stanley Spencer,

Lucien Freud and many more.

Beautiful Bodies is a celebration

of the differing approaches to

drawing the human gure taken

by British artists.

THE HIGGINSBEDFORDBEDFORD ARTS JAMBedford Arts Jam reaches The Higgins Bedford on 11th

June. Find out what Ear Trumpet is all about at Castle

Mound. Performances are at 11am and 2pm. There will b

even more adventures and activities to explore inside TheHiggins Bedford during the day.

HIGGINS’ HALF-TERM ACTIVITIESJoin artist and upcycler Lisa Tilley for some creative

fun at The Higgins Bedford family join-in activities this

half-term. The activities cost £2.70 per participating child

and last for about an hour. Sessions start at 11am, 12.15p

2.15pm and 3.30pm. This holiday there will be a chance

to make clay animal gurines, do some self-portraits and

make some crazy headwear!

Visit www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk for more details.

ANIMAL MAGIC! – TUESDAY 31ST MAYMake your own clay animal gurine or invent your very

own creature inspired by the collections. You can continu

the fun by painting your gurine at home!

WHO WILL YOU BE TODAY? –

WEDNESDAY 1ST JUNEChoose your own identity by making headwear inspired

by the collections. Whether a prince, princess, armouredsoldier, Victorian lady or African tribesman, you can be

whoever you’d like to be and parade your wares around

the museum.

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL –

FRI 3RD JUNEInspired by Beautiful Bodies exhibition, paint, draw and

collage your own self portrait.

ARCADIA COMES TO THE

HIGGINS BEDFORDArcadia sweet shop has been indulging Bedford’s sweet

tooth for over 110 years. The family-run sweet shop has

recently teamed up with The Higgins Bedford to share th

passion for confectionary and supply the museum shop

with a beautiful range of heritage sweets.

GAUDIER

BRZESKA AND DANCE

Tuesday 7th June – 7.30pm

Hear Dr Jenny Powell talk on

the draughtsman and sculptor,

Henri Gaudier-Brzeska (1891

– 1915 ). The art ist, i nspired

by dance and movement, made

a signicant contribution to

the development of modern

sculpture before his tragically

early death at 23. No booking

required. Guests £8, Friends of

The Higgins Bedford £3.

LOVE BEDFORD DAY11am – 5pm on Sunday 24th June

A celebration of Bedford’s rich history and heritage as the town

celebrates the 850th anniversary of its Royal Charter. There are

lots of activities for all the family including performances of the

Vikings of Bedford on the main stage, a Saxon Village and the

opportunity to design a new coat of arms. For more information go

to lovebedford.co.uk.

OPEN DAYS AT

KATHY BROWN’SGARDEN

Kathy Brown’s beautiful garden at

the Manor House in Stevington is

open to the public every Tuesday

afternoon until 27th September.

Join Kathy on a tour at 2pm

which will include a history of the

Manor House, aspects of garden

design and edible plants. Tea and

home-made cakes will be served

on the lawn at 3.15pm and there

is an opportunity to buy cards and

books. The Manor House, Church

Road, Stevington, Nr Bedford,

MK43 7QB tel: 01234 822064

kathybronsgarden.homestead.com

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL AMBLE AROUND BEDFORDWednesday 29th June – 11am

Join Liz Pieksma, Keeper of Archaeology at The Higgins Beto discover the archaeological heritage hidden beneath our fe

This walk explores Ice Age mammals, Saxon churches, hidd

defences and looks at why the siege of Bedford castle in 1224

was such as important (and gruesome) power struggle. The w

nishes back at The Higgins Bedford where there will be a ch

to look at some of the archaeological artefacts found in the to

Booking essential – call 01234 718618 to book your place.

£5.30 (Concessions £4.20)

CQW AT THE HIGGINS18th and 19th June

The Higgins Bedford is delighted to see the return of the Castle Quay

Weekender. The art gallery and museum will be launching Objects

From Distant Lands, a lm and display created in partnership with

Bedford Refugee & Asylum Seeker Support centre (BRASS) as part

of Refugee Week.

The weekend will also see the launch of a new lm about

volunteering at The Higgins Bedford. The number of volunteers

involved with the museum has trebled since January. The lm

highlights the variety of roles available at The Higgins as well as the

reasons for volunteering and the benets for those involved.

Both lms have been made in partnership with Bedford College

Media Department, and Media lecturer Sean Doyle.


7/12


7ET YOUR TRAINERS ON FOR RUN BEDFORD!

Beautiful,

non-intrusiveweddingphotography

catlaneweddings.com

0770 684 8554

t - - - - . :

June to October season now on sale!

Box Office: 01908 280800 www.stables.org

The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon,

Milton Keynes MK17 8LU

John Cooper Clarke, Mitch Benn, Tunde (Lighthouse Family),Gyles Brandreth, Warren Haynes, Jennny Éclair, RichardDigance, Beverley Craven, Jimmy Webb, Mark Thomas, BayCity Rollers, Stacey Kent, Andy Hamilton, Jimeoin, LoudonWainwright III

Ronnie Spector

Mica Paris

Wishbone Ash

Noah Stewart

Glenn Tilbrook

Blake

Dinosaur Zoo

Clare Teal

Miles Jupp

world class music& entertainment

Other highlightsinclude:

RUN BEDFORD, RUN!Taking place on Sunday 5th June, Run Bedford is a unique

running race. Starting on the town’s famous Embankment,

runners take a tour of some of Bedford’s most iconic scenery

and the 10 kilometre loop takes in St Mary’s Bridge, Park

Avenue, DeParys Avenue and even the High Street to nish

in grand style alongside the river and Russell Park.

Entry and more info is at: www.runbedford.org

HE MUSEUM EXPLORERASSPORT IS HERE!s summer, explore the rich and exciting

ory of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire

d Essex with a free Museum Explorer

sport. Collect yours from one of the

participating museums and begin yourrney through time. Take in the Roman

asion, the magic of steam railways and

rapid rise of the industrial age. Museums

oughout the three counties are running

iday events, activities and trails for

milies. Visit the museums and take part

our missions and your child will get a stamp for each one they

mplete; they will receive a special sticker for completing all ve.

You can pick up a passport anytime from the end of May at

Panacea Museum, the Higgins Bedford and the John Bunyan

suem. The explorer scheme will run throughout the summer.

d out more on the Museum Explorer Passport Facebook

ge, twitter and website. www.facebook.com/museumexplorer

xplorerpass museumexplorerpassport.com

BEDFORD’S BIG HIGHSTREET SHOWCASEOn Saturday 4th June, the Big High Street Showcase is back!

This annual celebration at the heart of the town centre includes

the Handmade in Bedfordshire market, funfair rides, a children’s

climbing wall, Lady K’s music and dance stage plus lots of

local businesses showcasing their wares. Stop by the Heritage

Bedford stand to nd out more about Bedford 850 years ago as we

celebrate the 850th anniversary of the Bedford Borough Charter.

BEDFORD’S 14TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONALKITE FESTIVALBedford is getting ready to host its 14th Annual International

Kite Festival on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12thJune, in Russell

Park, Bedford - and everyone’s 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. This year’s event will include kite demonstrations

and workshops for children and adults, as well as food, drink,

entertainment, music and more!

The Kite Festival is open on Saturday, from 10am – 6pm,

and on the Sunday from 10am – 5pm.

www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk/outdoorevents

KEPTICSN THE PUBrth End Club, Roff Avenue, Bedford

Thursday 16th June at 7.30pm

at does the modern family look like? Technology has led to the

ation of families that were not previously possible; a woman

become pregnant with, and give birth to, a child who is not

etically related to her. Parents don’t have to be in a female-

e couple but can be with a same-sex partner or going it alone.

ny assumptions are made about the best situation for children

what is actually known about the psychological effects of

ng raised in a “non-traditional” family?

When it comes to family relationships, is “blood” really thicker

n water?

Fiona MacCallum is a developmental psychologist with a

ticular interest in parent-child relationships and their inuence

children’s social and emotional wellbeing. She began to

earch the psychology of new family forms in 1996, and has

cialised in the study of non-genetic families. Fiona is an

ociate Professor in Psychology at the University of Warwick.

REFUGEE WEEK ATTHE PLACE THEATRE

e Place Theatre is showing the British comedy lm Grow Your

wn about refugees given an allotment plot. This is particularly

evant in Bedford as BRASS now runs an allotment in Queen’s

k. As part of the Refugee Week activities there is a seed

d plant sharing event at Putnoe Library and Thyme2Grow is

nching a garden project at Yarl’s Wood.

Friends of Refugees Bedford is holding a festival to raise

ney and awareness of the refugees’ ongoing plight. Check

The Place Theatre’s website for full details of their events:

placebedford.org.uk

QUESTION TIME DEBATEON THE EUROPEANREFERENDUMSt Paul’s Church will host a public debate on the European

Referendum from 7pm on Thursday 16th June. Chaired by

the Bishop of Bedford this is an opportunity to hear from

politicians and experts and for members of the public to put

questions to the panel.

St Paul’s Church, St Paul’s Square, BEDFORD MK40 1SQ

Further details 01234 340163 and stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk

ADVERTISEIN THE NEXT

ISSUECONTACT:

JULIA CROFTS

[email protected]

07966 696784@ClangerAds

creative marketingreactionvisual.media


8/12


8

the puddin clubPuddings • Cakes • Breakfast • Cheeseboard

Great Coffee • Prosecco • Wine • Beer

Cider • Ice Cream Milkshakes

Don’t let the weekend nish too early -

now open Sunday’s until 6pm!

Serving Coffee, Cocktails, Cake and more! Last orders for puddings and alcohol is 5pm

You can either have private hire in the evening(not Fridays) or for smaller gatherings we canreserve you a table. If you need it to be in alunchtime then pre-order?

07773 943586

www.thepuddinclub.co.uk

120a Castle Road, Bedford, MK40 3RG

get your just desserts

FOOD REVIEW:THE HIGGINSPANTRYBy Stephen Bywater @authorbywater

The Higgins Pantry has developed a reputation which

goes beyond being a mere adjunct to the marvellous albeit

somewhat labyrinthine art gallery and museum. Of course

we’re lucky to have both in Bedford and, sticking to the Pan

I’ll tell you why.

Firstly, you can sit in the sun, or inside, or in the shady

courtyard where, on certain days, women oat around in

Georgian dresses. If you’re lucky you’ll spot Richard Jobso

lmmaker, ex-lead singer of The Skids and a big fan of the

Pantry. Look, there’s Erica (Ed.), following her family into

the museum for the umpteenth time. The place, on a sunny

Saturday, is positively buzzing.

Back at our table Gabriel promptly takes our order. We’re

having milkshakes, chocolate for me, and an Oreo milkshake

for Eva (aged 14). There’s wine on the menu and a selection

of beers, everything you could wish for. A cheese and tomato

focaccia arrives. It’s a foot long, the cheese is glistening and

tomato’s a poppy red, the crust is, says Eva, ‘rustic’. The dou

is warm and soft and can’t be bettered. There are black olives

the side and, being courteous, we try a few and nod our heads

They’re black olives, all right. And as good as any we’ve tast

Just as we’re nishing our focaccia our lunch arrives. At thpoint we’ve drunk our milkshakes – which, for the record, we

delicious - and are feeling rather full. But the look and smell

the meatball pizza and my sirloin and Stilton cheese ciabatta

reinvigorate our appetites. We set to with gusto and are both

delighted by our choice. The steak is tender and the Stilton

gives it a farmyard kick. The salad keeps it healthy. I nish

mine and feel positively sated. Eva manages half of her pizza

and declares it a triumph. The waitress is kind enough to put t

remaining half in a box and we take it home.

So what have we learnt? That the setting is ideal, though

the food alone makes the Pantry worthy of a visit. It’s not

expensive, there’s a wide choice - especially for pizza and pa

lovers – and the service is rapido, even when there’s a regatta

down at the river and the place is rammed. Like the museum

gallery, the Pantry is something to be proud of, and, of course

somewhere we’ll be taking the rest of the family.

WE LOVE THE HIGGINS PANTRY... Y

FOLLOW THE HERD…Beer fans: Herd is now stocking My Generation beer and to

celebrate they’re holding a party in the sunshine on Saturday 11th

June. With a sound system in the courtyard the festival atmosphere

will evoke Norman Jay’s Good Times bus at Notting Hill carnival.

To enhance the carnival atmosphere there will curried goat and jerk

chicken on the BBQ and My Generation beer in the fridges.

Herd, 25 St Cuthbert’s Street, Bedford, MK40 3JG

tel: 01234 300193 www.herd.cool

CAFÉ VIRTUOSO WORKSHOP It was a sad day when Café Virtuoso shut its doors in 2015, but

owner Guilda Akopians continues trading from her online shop.

This month, Guilda hosts a raw ‘sweet treats’ workshop to demon-

strate how to make healthy treats that are not cooked, not processed,

contain no added sugar and no added bad fats. You’ll learn to make

energy balls, chocolate trufes, peanut butter cookies and chocolatecoconut ‘Bounty’ bars.

The workshop takes place on Saturday 18th June, 10am – 12pm

at Tavistock Community Centre.

For more info and to book your place check out the Virtuoso

Foods Facebook page.

THE BIG LUNCH AT BEDFORD PARK

Bring a picnic, bring your family and friends and take part in the Big

Lunch at Bedford Park on Saturday 5th June from noon til 4pm.

In association with the Road Victims’ Trust and the Pavilion in the

Park, this annual event encourages communities to join together for

one day to share lunch with their neighbours – whether it’s a street

party, a garden party or a big picnic in the park. There will be live

music, face painting, a dog show, mini Olympics, archery, crafts and

lots and lots of food and fun. pavilion.attheparkbedford.co.uk

ADERLEY DOGSDAILY WALKS

Are you looking for a reliabledog walker in the Bedford area.

We offer group walk slots daily from £10.Great for socialising & exercise.

01234 305 956 www.aderleydogs.co.uk

WINE & CHEESE CRUISEOn Wednesday 15th June, climb aboard the John Bunyan Boat

for a sunset cruise while sampling wines and cheeses expertly

paired by Stephen and Dawn Black of the Happy Brewer. The

cruise departs from Priory Marina at 7pm and returns at 9.30pm.

Entertainment is provided by Cicero Buck (featuring our very

own Kris Wilkinson-Hughes) and throughout the evening there

will be advice about winemaking. Cost is £19.95 per person.

To reserve your place go to: thehappybrewer.com

T H E C L A N GE R

F O O D & D R I N K


9/12


9ENTY OF GREAT STUFF TO CHOOSE FROM THIS MONTH!

Prior to the 20th Bedford Proms in the Park in July we got to chat to Rebecca, who started her career busking

outside York Cathedral. Since then she has toured the UK and overseas extensively, as well as appearing in

various musicals and recording albums - raising money for the RNLI and the NSPCC in the process.

Bedford Clanger: Who inspired you to start singing?

Rebecca Newman: My mum, listening to musicals; Phantom of the Opera with Sarah Brightman

BC: Favourite venue/audience?

RN: The Royal Albert Hall plus small venues are great as they are more intimate you can engage with the

audience.

BC: You’ve sung all around the UK, where was the most unusual place?

RN: At a Rugby Stadium for a Rugby World Cup to 20,000 people !

BC: Other musical genres you’d like to explore?

RN: Yes, lots of other things; Jazz, pop, hip-hop and R&B.

BC: Anyone you’d still like to sing with?

RN: I’ve been spoilt and have already sung with Russell Watson, G4, I’d like to sing with Ale Boe again

and would love to sing with Andreas Botticeli...and Josh Groven.

BC: Do you have any particular food or drink to enhance the voice?

RN: Not particular food but a routine; food four hours before, water...but limited, for hydration and hard

boiled sweets to suck on.

BC: Favourite musical?

RN: Les Miserables and West Side Story.

You can see Rebecca Newman at Proms In The Park, Bedford with The London Gala Orchestra,

Bedford Choral Society, Classical Supergroup Blake plus

Laser Show Spectacular Firework Finale on Saturday 6th August

Tickets are £31 (£5 for children 5-16yrs) available at: bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk

The Place Theatre, Saturday 11th June at 7pm.

The Wing It Singers of Stoke Newington will be singing alongside our very own

Bedford Arts Choir at the Place Theatre on Saturday 11th June. Singing a selection

of folk and world songs, the evening is a return xture following a performance in

London in May.

Tickets available from theplacebedford.org.uk or in person from Rogan’s

Books on Castle Road and The Burnaby Arms on Stanley Street

Saturday 4th June, Bromham Mill, Bridge End, Bedford,

MK43 8LP, Doors 7:30pm

Wizz Jones learnt his guitar licks from the likes of Davy Graham and

Long John Baldry whilst playing in the coffee bars of London’s Soho

in the late 1950s. John Renbourn, Clapton and Keith Richards have all

named him as an important early inuence. Keith Richards has previ -

ously discussed skipping classes at art school in order to meet up with

Mr Jones, who taught him how to play blues guitar in the toilet!! In May

2012 Bruce Springsteen opened his Berlin show with Wizz’s song ‘When

I Leave Berlin’.

Facebook: Mill Race Folk Twitter: @Millracefolk

Tickets £10 from the cafe at the Mill Bromham or call 07580 183205

A TALE OF TWO CHOIRS

MILL RACE FOLK PRESENTS: WIZZ JONES

ALBUM LAUNCH: THIS AIN’T NO

FAIRYTALE BY MY GIRL THE RIVERClanger columnist, Kris is a woman of many talents, not least as a singer/songwriter. Her latest project,

My Girl the River, is a paean to her Southern US roots and MGTR’s debut album reads like a love letter to

her hometown of Covington, Louis iana. Kris and MGTR will be performing at this year’s Isle of Wight

festival and we’re sure they’ll go down a storm. The album is rarely off our car CD player, and Bring It On

Down is sure to get a rowdy singalong going!

If you can’t get to IoW, then you’re in luck. My Girl the River are performing at the Place Theatre

in support of the sublime South Carolinian Jonathan Byrd on 30th June. Tickets are on sale now at

£12.50 from theplacebedford.org.uk or by calling 01234 354321

INTERVIEW:REBECCA NEWMAN

T H E

C L A N G E R

M U S I C... O H Y

E A H !

MATT BERRY – YOU CAN HEAR HIMComedian, actor, voice monger, and singer/songwriter Matt Berry is coming to Bedford with his band The

Maypoles. Separate Matt from his garish womanising TV characters, as seen on IT Crowd, The Mighty Boosh

& House of Fools, as ‘musical Matt’ is a different kettle of entertainment. The sound mixes folk, psych and

prog with albums; Opium, Witchazel (on Acid Jazz records) & Kill the Wolf. This is a sort of homecoming as

Matt grew up in Bromham and was a pupil at Bedford School in the 1990s.

Matt Berry & The Maypoles play Esquires on Monday 6th June, tickets are £13.50 from Esquires and

seetickets.com

THE PAD PRESENTS: MARK MORRISS(THE BLUETONES) + GUESTSSaturday 25th June at Bedford Esquires, doors at 8pm

Mark Morriss is a singer songwriter who famously made his name fronting English indie outt The

Bluetones. The band split up in 2011 and despite briey reuniting earlier this year, Mark has now turned his

attentions back to his solo career, and comes to Esquires for an intimate gig. Highly recommended.

Tickets priced £7.00 are on sale now from Seetickets.com and from Planet Boutique in Bedford and

Mario’s Hair Design in Kempston

B E D F O R D P A R K

paviliont 01234 351104

e [email protected]

w www.attheparkbedford.co.uk

PavilionatthePark

@BedfordPavilion

The Pavilion, Bedford Park Bedford MK41 7SS

Open every day 9am-6pm high season (9am-4pm low season)for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Tea.

Award-winning Park Cafe. Relaxed, remarkable, refreshing.Great food, coffee & cake. Fully Licensed.

Supper Clubs Wednesdays & Fridays. Private bookings too!

Tel : O 123 4 2 718 77 www .ki osk .at the par kbe dfo rd. co. uk

Hidden in the corner of russ ell par k, bedford is a litt le gem of a ca fe. breathi ng new l ife in to the commun ity wi th the help of great coffee an d cakes, sportin g facil ities and ple nty of fresh ai r!

#Summertime /k io sk at th ep ar k

@kioskatthepark at th ep ar kb ed for d

pi nt er es t. co m/ at th ep ar k

# Bedf ord Par k

# R u s s e l L P a r k


10/12


10 LET’S GET JAMM

PAVILION AT THE PARKFRIDAY 3RD JUNE: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHINGSATURDAY 4TH JUNE: MACBETHGates open at 6pm, performance starts at 7.30pm and includes an interval.

Tickets: (in advance) Adult £17.00, Concession £14.00 Family (2A, 2C) £58.00 (+10% Booking Fee)

THE PLACECERTAIN AGE PRESENT WAITING FOR GODOTThursday 23 June to Saturday 25 June 7.30pm. Tickets: £9 (concessions £7.50)

Sixty years ago, on the 3rd August 1955, the audience at The Arts Theatre in London were bafed by a new play ca

‘Waiting for Godot’. It was directed by the 24-year-old Peter Hall who declared that he had no idea what it meant. S

then, Beckett’s play may have become more familiar to us, but its mystery remains. Who is Godot?

Certain Age is proud to present this production which, though it may not answer that question, will certainly provok

and entertain.

Tickets available from www.theplacebedford.org.uk

THE PANTALOONS PRESENT THE CANTERBURY TALSunday 19 June 7pm. Tickets:

£12 (concessions £10)

A cast of just ve actors present

every single one of Geoffrey

Chaucer’s timeless tales in under

two hours! Join the pilgrims for

puppetry and poetry, music and

magic, talking chickens and burntbottoms. Fast-paced, physical and

funny, this show is pure medieval

mayhem for the whole family,

performed in modern English.

Tickets available from

www.theplacebedford.org.uk

THE SWAN THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTPOETRY AT THE EAGLE (101 CASTLE ROAD):ON VACATIONSunday 5 June 7.00pm. Tickets: £5.00

From Chaucer’s pilgrims to present day holidays: a selection of poetry and prose celebrating the joys, fun a

frustrations of the holiday experience.

Tickets available from www.theplacebedford.org.uk or on the door

FULL HOUSE PRESENTS JUNE ARTS JAM3rd – 20th June in locations across the town.

June Arts Jam is a celebration of the town’s cultural spaces brought to you b y Full House. Venues include The

Higgins, The Place Theatre, Bedford Central Library, John Bunyan Museum and Queens Park Community

Centre, all playing host entertaining shows, inspiring arts events and interactive workshops.

EVENT LISTINGSTheatre of Widdershins presents: The Elves

and the Shoemaker, Friday 3rd June, 2pm,

Queens Park Community Centre, Free! Please

book your free ticket in advance. Recommended

for ages 3 - 9 (55 mins).

Ear Trumpet, Saturday 11th June, 11am &

2pm, The Castle Mound – in the grounds of the

Higgins, Bedford, Free, drop in activity, just turn

up! Suitable for all ages.

A Mano, Thursday 16th June , 6.30pm,

£7 The Place Theatre, Bedford, recommended

for ages 5 - 12 (50mins). Book tickets at:

theplacebedford.org.uk

A Boy and a Bear in a Boat, Saturday 18th

June, 11.30am & 2.30pm Central Library,

Bedford, Free, please book your free ticket in

advance. Recommended for ages 5 - 9 (60mins).

A Boy and a Bear in a Boat, Sunday 19th

June, 11.30am & 2pm, John Bunyan Museum,

Bedford, Free, please book your free ticket in

advance. Recommended for ages 5 - 9 (60mins).

For full details and to book free tickets for

The Elves & the Shoemaker or A Boy and a

Bear in a Boat: fullhouse.org.uk

SHARNBROOKMILL THEATRETRUST PRESENTSFORBIDDEN BROADWAYTuesday 7th June to Saturday 11th June 7.30pm. Tickets: £12. Age guidance: 13+

Some of the greatest acts from the history of musical theatre will be appearing on the Sharnbrook Mill

Theatre stage… but not as you know them! This is your chance to see Cats, Wicked, Les Misérables,

Fiddler on the Roof, Annie and much more in a tongue-in-cheek spoof spectacular.

It’s funny, fast, moving and clever with more costume changes than the cast have had hot dinners. If you

want a great, laugh-a-minute night out, this is the show for you!

Tickets available from www.sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.uk, phone 01234 718044 or in person from

Twinkle Twinkle Boutique, High Street, Sharnbrook.

T H E

C L A N G E

R

T H E A T R

E

Firm favourites, Oddsocks Productions, are back in town with a double-bill of Shakespeare’s classics, Muc

Ado About Nothing and Macbeth. New for 2016 is a rock n’ roll production of Macbeth which promises to

nothing short of mayhem and anarchy. Shakespeare’s story of ambition turned bad is brought hilariously to

alongside a soundtrack of classic songs. Forget what you know about Shakespeare’s tragedy and expect the

unexpected!

Tickets from www.eventbrite.co.uk or from the *Pavilion, Bedford Park or the *Kiosk, Russell Park

(*tickets purchased this way do not incur a 10% booking fee)

THE QUARRYTHEATRE AT ST LUKE’SBEDFORD SCHOOL CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL

AND WORKLIGHT THEATRE PRESENT LABELSFriday 17 June 7.30pm. Tickets: £12

(concessions £10). Age guidance: 12+Worklight Theatre’s award-winning show, Labels,

draws on writer and performer Joe Sellman-Leava’s

experiences of mixed heritage to explore the broader

issues of racism, immigration and displacement.

During Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015, it won a

Scotsman Fringe First Award for outstanding new

writing and was also shortlisted for the Amnesty

International’s Freedom of Expression Award.

Joe uses his family’s stories about migration and

mixed heritage to open a wider discussion about the

way we talk about, think about and treat our fellow

human beings. The play’s examination of Europe’s ongoing refugee crisis has sadly become more

resonant in recent months. Worklight hope that by touring the show in Australia and the UK over the

coming months, more people will be engaged in conversation about how the words we use affect the

decisions we make about one another.

Tickets available www.quarrytheatre.org.uk or 01234 362337

A Boy and a

Bear in a Boat


11/12


11

Y JANE PERRONE @JANEPERRONEERRONE.BLOGS.COMere’s nothing better than nosing around someone else’s garden to

rner ideas for your own plot: and a garden opening for charity is the

fect opportunity to do so without landing yourself a restraining order.

e National Gardens Scheme and their ‘yellow book’ are probably the

t-known organisation for open gardens, and this year there’s a new

den in Bedford to visit. Tricia Atkinson’s garden at 192 Kimbolton

ad opens to visitors (admission £3.50, children free) on Saturday

ne 18 from 11am to 4pm. It’s a cottage garden that spreads to a third

an acre, with vegetable and soft fruit patch, grapevine and more than

roses to enjoy. For details and directions, visit ngs.org.uk. If you’re

pared to get in the car, there are several Bedfordshire NGS gardens

hin easy reach that are also opening this month, including Speeds

iry Farmhouse in Beadlow, Shefford on June 26 from 2.30-5pm, and

Old Vicarage in Westoning on Sunday June 12 from 2-5.30pm.

useful reminder pinged into my inbox this week from Lara

rtayne, crime reduction ofcer at Bedfordshire police, stressing

at now is peak season for thefts from gardens and allotments.

the past year, Beds Police recorded 46 crimes on allotments in the

untry and 154 thefts from gardens. Among her useful tips was a way to

burglars who will bypass any fancy padlock on your shed by simply

crewing the hinges - so replace the regular screws with coach bolts

non-return screws, or damage the screw heads so they can’t easily

removed. A battery-operated siren alarm tted in sheds and other

buildings can be enough to put off a would-be thief, while obscuring

ndows with opaque lm or tting bars inside narrows the options

for entry. If you have pots or planters in your front garden, consider

cementing them or chaining them the ground. And I am certainly going

to be taking Lara’s advice to mark my tools and equipment with my

house number and postcode - not only does it make it much less desirable

on the resale market, it also means there’s a chance you’ll get them back

if you are the target of thieves. There’s some great security advice from

the RHS on this page: is.gd/gardensecurity.

Headlines foretelling a ‘slime wave’ of 420 billion slugs hitting

British gardens this summer (in, predictably enough, the Daily Mail)

may be keeping you awake this month, wondering if your beans and

hostas have been reduced to doilies - again. It is worth keeping on top

of mollusc management, it’s true, but a zenlike approach to pests is

required if you don’t want to raise your blood pressure over the issue.

You can buy all kinds of fancy (and expensive) products that act as a

barrier to slugs, such as copper tape for pots, Slug Gone wool pellets

and even a spiky ‘slug barricade’ for raised beds made by Darlac. They

all work, to a degree, as do slug pellets: but with these it’s vital that you

follow application instructions to the letter and use only pet and wildlife-friendly pellets such as Growing Success Advanced Organic Slug Killer.

Other budget-friendly options? Offer your children a bounty of 5p slug

to go on a pest patrol, armed with a jar of salty water and a pair of tongs.

“Slug pubs” work too, lled with cheap beer or yeasty water. Finally,

a wildlife-friendly garden is perhaps the best defence against slugs,

enticing slug-munching characters such as toads and hedgehogs onto the

scene: put a CD-sized hole in your fence as an entry point, and growing

plants around your pond as shelter for amphibians.

ETHICS:PICNICS…

AND PLASTICBy Lucy Bywater

I love Spring but as the weather warms up I don’t love the early

morning dog walk through the park full of picnic rubbish or, at

best, bins overowing with all the packaging. Litter is not a modern

phenomenon but what is is the sheer amount of packaging we seem to

use in our daily lives.

According to packaging sustainability organization Wrap, every

year around 10 million tonnes of packaging is used in the UK and

70% is grocery related. We’re already using fewer plastic carrier bags

since the charge was recently introduced, and most of us are happy to

bring reusable bags to the shop. How about the food packaging itself

though? Obviously much of it is vital to transport and to preserve

the food so that it’s not wasted. (Apparently those shrink-wrapped

cucumbers last three or four times longer than the ‘naked’ sort).

The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra is familiar to most of us and

pretty vital when grocery shopping. Overpackaging means you pay

more because of increased costs of production, storage, transport and

disposal. Most annoying overpackaging, and overpriced, products?

For me it would be Easter eggs - give me a decent bar of chocolate any

day - and pre-peeled/sliced avocado in a plastic tray, with plastic lm

and cardboard sleeve is just wrong in my book! This possibly has the

makings of a game to entertain bored kids during the weekly shop –

small prize for spotting most daft over packaging… but after all if we

consumers don’t buy it, retailers won’t produce it.

In Germany and the Netherlands, bring-your-own-container

supermarkets have been doing well for many years and there are a

couple of them in the UK too. (See beunpackaged.com). It would

make sense to have rells as the norm again, and to take glass bottles

back for money off tokens as many places still do.

The future? Edible, compostable spoons! But still let’s not don’t

dump them after the picnic… even though manufacturers Bakey’s say

they’d be gone within 3 days.

ACK IT IN... PACKAGING!

RIVERSIDE TENNIS CLUB Take your game to the next level

SUMMERHOLIDAYTENNIS CAMPS FOR JUNIORS

Awesome coachingAwesome FunAll standardsAges 3-18yrs

doc@riversidetennisbedford.co.ukwww.riversidetennisbedford.co.ukGoldington Road. Bedford

Come and see what everyone is talking about

T H E

C L A NG E R

F I L M & G A R D E

N I N GGARDENING: NOSING AROUND

Kimbolton Road open garden


12/12


12

CHALLENGE CHRISEach month we challenge photographer Chris Demott to capture a unique image of Bedford.Chris explains the background to this month’s picture:

“Quite rightly I have suggestions to photograph the Embankment, it is a wonderful place

to walk with great features, wildlife, lots of people-spotting opportunities, brilliant events

and at the time of writing the most amazing display of tulips. I went for a wander and did

take some more traditional pictures but something struck me about the ower display

which prompted this month’s photo, it is a composite of 130 images and displays the

range of colours on show this year.”

Sadly, this is the last Challenge Chris piece as he is moving on to pastures new. We’d like

to wish him well in his new job and welcome our new contributor Darren Rose to the team.

Next month, look out for Darren’s perspective on our fair town.

chrisdemottphotography.com

THE LAST WORDBy Reverend Sonya J Wratten, Priest in Charge, All Saints, Queens Park

Probably most of us have sat in front of our TV screens, newspapers, ipads and

wondering what can we do in the face of such overwhelming suffering with reg

to the current refugee crisis. Marked as the worst humanitarian disaster since W

War II, Europe and the Middle East have been flung into a situation of catastr

and epic proportions, but yet some still say we have ‘no room at the inn’.

The notion of hospitality is something that has a relevance and importance in

many faiths, charitable causes and community projects. To welcome the strang

or ‘the other’ is one of the distinctive characteristics that make us human but

sometimes it gets buried below self-preservation and a fear of the unknown.

Our immediate reaction to the idea of welcoming ‘the other’ might be ignite

anxieties and thoughts of cultural identity being threatened. There is the fear th

civil society as we know it may be changed for good by a new influx of migran

There are two things to consider here. Firstly, our society is always changing a

in fact has been enriched beyond measure since World War II with people settl

in Bedford (amongst many towns and cities across the country) from other part

of the world. Then, secondly, perhaps we need to dig deep to find that distincti

human capacity to welcome ‘the other’ into our world. As we mark Refugee W

this month we might all deeply and seriously consider what we can do to welco

encourage and celebrate new people crossing the borders.

FREE ENTRY

Saturday 23rd April to Sunday 2nd October 2016

The Higgins Bedford Castle Lane, Bedford, MK40 3XD 01234 718618 www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk

URBAN SKETCH CRAWLArtists of all abilities are encouraged to join the Beds Urban Sketchers on one (or both) of their two outings this month.

Firstly, catch them at the Kite Festival on Sunday 12th June for their summery sketching in Russell Park. This will be a fantastic opportunity to draw colourful kites, people having picnics in the park, dog walkers, practise sketching

trees and eating ice-creams. Secondly they will be at the Castle Quay Weekender on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June to sketch the musicians and revellers, crafters and museum-goers. Bring your own sketchbook and any pens

pencils, paints, crayons. If you would like to join the Beds Urban Sketchers at the Kite Festival, they will meet at midday at the edge of the park in front of Radhuni Indian restaurant on The Embankment. At 2pm the sketchers will

regroup for sharing of sketches, photos and maybe an ice cream. For more info, check out Beds Urban Sketchers on Facebook.

T H E C L A N G E R A N D F I N A L L Y ...

the bedford clanger - june 2016

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