Your weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from the Bedford Clanger.
Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford Clanger what’s on guide lands every Thursday and is the only guide you need to know what’s on and what’s happening across the Borough for the next 10 days.
The Bedford Clanger’s What’s On Guide is kindly sponsored by The Cellar Bar.
Until Sunday 28 July 2024
Comedy: Bedfringe
The Quarry Theatre @ times vary
Prices vary
This July, the Quarry Theatre will host the 17th International Bedford Festival Fringe, bringing a record-breaking 150 events to the town over 11 days.
From Thursday 18 until Sunday 28 July the theatre will be a hive of activity with comedy, theatre, live music, film, dance and physical theatre, spoken word and poetry taking place throughout the Quarry’s three venues.
Read: Bedfringe is back, bringing 150 events to Bedford over 11 days
More of the events than ever before are Edinburgh previews (44) and almost half are free to attend or ask for a voluntary donation, making it even easier to binge the Fringe!
And there’s not just the events to take part in – why not wander into the Quarry foyer and bar to have a go on their retro games, help ‘put the brand back together’ by contributing to the Bedfrige logo jigsaw or build something in pink Lego?
Thursday 25 July 2024
Dancing: Planet Swing featuring The Last Chance Ragtime Band
The Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village, Bedford Road, Bedford, MK42 6EA @ 8pm – 10.30pm
Tickets: £12.99
An evening for dancers and music enthusiasts alike. Cashless bar, plenty of seating (night club set up) and dance floor. Book in advance and come along at 7.15pm for a 45-minute dance class in Balboa, one of the original swing dances of the era. For the main event, just turn up – pay cash at reception – have fun, no booking needed.
Friday 26 July 2024
Live music: The Lottery Winners
Bedford Esquires @ 3pm & 7pm
Tickets: £15 / sold out
Esquires favourites The Lottery Winners are returning for two shows in one day!
The afternoon performance will be stripped back and open to all ages, no swearing, just sing-a-longs, laughter and fun for all the family. They might even pass a mic around for questions, if you think you can behave yourselves!
The sold-out evening performance will be a more classic Lottery Winners show, with all of their hits in an intimate setting.
Friday 26 July 2024
Live Music: New Harmony
The Cellar Bar @ 6pm til late
Free entry
Making a return to The Cellar Bar, these guys need practically no introduction. New Harmony are the ultimate crowd pleasers bringing you the very best in Reggae, Motown and stone-cold classics.
Friday 26 July 2024
Comedy: Paddy Lennox, Blank Peng & Edi Johnston
Burrow at the Blues @ 7pm
£14.50
There is still time to get your tickets for the Bedford Blues Events Comedy Night this Friday (26 July). Blank Peng & Edi Johnston will join Headliner Paddy Lennox for a spectacular show in The Burrow at the Blues.
Fully stocked bar and food by Chicken George Jnr on the night.
Saturday 27 July 2024
Walk: Mental Health Mates Bedford – Walk & Talk Meet Up
The Pavilion, Bedford Park @11am
Free to attend
Mental Health Mates (MHM) is a peer support group set up by journalist, author and mental health advocate Bryony Gordon in 2016. There are now over 100 MHM groups across the UK, including here in Bedford
The MHM walks in Bedford take place on the final Saturday of each month, meeting at The Pavilion At The Park and finishing back there afterwards for an optional drink and chat.
The walks are free to attend and just turn up to, you can talk as much or as little as you wish about anything, and everyone is welcome regardless of diagnosis or not.
Saturday 27 July 2024
Creative Community: Headway Bedford – Rehabilitations Journeys
The Place Theatre @ 6pm
Tickets: from £10
Headway Bedford is proud to present ‘Rehabilitation Journeys’ – a showcase of talent from brain injury survivors. You will learn, from survivors themselves, all about what it is like to have a brain injury and all the ways that rehabilitation has returned much-needed freedom and independence to their lives.
Saturday 27 July 2024
Live music: Run in the Shadow – The Fleetwood Mac Experience
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14
UK Fleetwood Mac, the UK’s most authentic Fleetwood Mac tribute show, call into Bedford Esquires as part of their UK Tour.
UK Fleetwood Mac have spent a huge amount of time carefully recreating the look, sound and playing style of their favourite band, so audiences can revel in the attention to detail and delight in a sound noted by many as ‘just like the actual Fleetwood Mac’.
Expect a hit-packed set with all the classics inc Big Love, Dreams, Caroline, Gypsy, Rhiannon, Tusk, Go Your Own Way, Seven Wonders, Tango In The Night, Don’t Stop and many many more…
Saturday 27 July 2024
Live Music: Double Header – Katherine Sefton & Tie One On
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm
Free entry
After an incredible debut performance in April, Tie One On will be rocking the Cellar Bar once again.
They are a rock/ blues band with a vast amount of live experience, whether it is large festivals or pubs/ clubs. With Katherine Sefton supporting, it’s sure to be a great night of fantastic music!
Sunday 28 July 2024
Walking: “I Never Knew That” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the gold postbox in St Paul’s Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
“I Never Knew That”: The most commonly heard phrase after the completion of a Guided Walk. This Walk encompasses all that information about Bedford and its many features that YOU never knew!
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Sunday 28 July 2024
Live Music: Sunday Chillout Session – Bring Your Own Vinyl
The Cellar Bar @ 3pm – 7pm
Free entry
“We think we’ve got a pretty good sound system at The Cellar Bar, so what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than listening to vinyl records, even better to listen to your favourite album,” said Cellar Bar owner, Marcus.
They’ll provide the DJ, decks and the PA, just bring your own vinyl and let them do the rest!
Tuesday 30 July 2024
Art: The Circus of Illustration’s Drink and Draw – Repeat Patterns
The Park pub, Kimbolton Road @ 7.30pm
Free (£2 donation appreciated)
On the last Tuesday of every month, Bedford’s creative community meets up at the Park pub for the Circus of Illustration’s monthly Drink and Draw sessions. With a different theme each month, it’s open to absolutely anyone (over 18) of any skill level and there’s no need to book.
Join us to design your own repeat pattern at the July Drink and Draw. Florals, geometrics, or just go crazy with your own themed illustrated pattern! You’ll be given you the tools to make your own seamless design. Just bring yourself!
Drink and Draw is for all grown ups!
– Chat with new people who like creative stuff
– Do some no-pressure doodling and get inspiration from others.
– Equipment provided
– All abilities welcome
– No membership, no signing up
Equipment and resources are provided in a no-pressure, relaxed atmosphere to chat, drink and doodle.
Wednesday 31 July 2024
Walking: “The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the gold postbox in St Paul’s Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
The Norman Conquest of Britain witnessed the introduction of castles to the landscape and in Bedford, a major castle was built in the 12th century. Walk through the old castle grounds, see the mound on which it once stood and hear the story of the castle and its demise in the siege of 1224. This year witnesses the 800th anniversary of the Great Siege of Bedford Castle in 1224.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Thursday 1 August 2024
Live music: Limehouse Lizzy
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
Now in their third decade, Limehouse Lizzy continue to keep the spirit of Thin Lizzy alive, bringing the inimitable, unique and irresistible rock and pop greatest hits homage to Philip Lynott and his band, Thin Lizzy.
Friday 2 August 2024
Live Music: Danny Barton
The Cellar Bar @ 6pm til late
Free entry
The wonderful Danny Barton returns to The Cellar Bar, playing a mix of acoustic rock and pop crowd-pleasers and new material.
Friday 2 August 2024
Live music: The Smyths
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £17.50
Following their previous sell out appearances at Bedford Esquires, The Smyths will return to Bedford Esquires in August 2024.
More than a mere tribute band, The Smyths are a joyous celebration of arguably the greatest band of all time. Thrillingly accurate, the group have amassed a huge following and regularly sell out huge venues both here and abroad. You may also know them from the massively popular festival appearances.
2024 will mark the 40th anniversary of The Smiths debut album and also the (arguably superior) compilation Hatful of Hollow. To celebrate this anniversary, The Smyths will be playing tracks from both records, as well as all the hits and classics you would expect.
No support. The Smyths will perform two sets on the night.
Saturday 3 August 2024
Triple Header: Tiptoe Apollo, Five Five Six & Roxze
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm
Free entry
If you’ve not seen Five Five Six at The Cellar Bar before, you are in for a treat! Get ready for a great night of legendary rock tunes with support from the incredible Tiptoe Apollo and Roxze.
Sunday 4 August 2024
Walking: “The Silent Faces of Bedford” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the gold postbox in St Paul’s Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
Bedford has many impressive statues and memorials. They cannot speak for themselves but our guides can tell you their story and why they take their place in Bedford’s history.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
At the Higgins Bedford
Exhibition: Rediscovering Black Portraiture
The Higgins Bedford
Free entry
The newest exhibition at the Higgins began as a diversionary lockdown project in 2020 and can now be seen at Kensington Palace, the Bodeian Library in Oxford and now in Bedford.
It features the work of Manchester-born professional opera singer, Peter Brathwaite, who has lived in the Black Tom area of Bedford since 2018.
With all his singing work cancelled during the pandemic, Peter began looking for an outlet for his creative talents and started recreating famous and lesser-known Black portraiture paintings using as props whatever he could find around his house.
It was inspired by the Getty Foundation’s lockdown project, but quickly took on a life of its own, gathering a large international online following. You can explore the project at his Instagram page @peter_brathwaite.
And from Saturday, 18 May, they will form part of an installation at the Higgins Bedford which will lead visitors through the main collections and into Cecil Higgins’ house, with Peter’s interpretation of The Paston Treasure at its heart.
Read: ‘Rediscovering Black Portraiture’ at the Higgins Bedford this May
Exhibition: Edward Bawden & Me
The Higgins Bedford until
Free entry
Brand new work by some of the biggest names in contemporary British art, illustration and textiles are on display at an exhibition at the Higgins Bedford in celebration of the work of one of Britain’s most inventive and influential artists
Entitled Edward Bawden & Me, the exhibition has been curated by Bawden’s good friend, illustrator and printmaker, Chris Brown and also features work by local artists’ collective, the Circus of Illustration.
Read: Star-studded new Edward Bawden exhibition opens at the Higgins Bedford
You can also read the full article in the February issue of The Bedford Clanger.
At the Panacea Museum
Exhibition: ‘Panacea: A Cure for All Ills’
Thursday – Sunday @ 10am – 5pm
Free entry
The current exhibition at the fascinating Panacea Museum explores the ministry which gave the Panacea Society its name.
Originally titled ‘The Community of the Holy Ghost’, their more famous name came later, connected with their international Healing offer. The Society sent out linen squares, blessed by their leader Octavia, these were placed in water to make a therapeutic elixir.
This exhibition explains the origins of the Healing, how it became so well-known, and why it finally ended.
Entry to the museum and exhibition is free. More information about visiting the museum can be found on their website here.
Every Thursday
Cocktails, Quiz Night & Karaoke
The Cellar Bar from 5.00pm
Pit your wits against The Cellar Bar’s resident quizmaster to see if you can win the jackpot every Thursday from 8pm. £2 per person entry and a maximum of six per team. The winning team will win the jackpot PLUS a round of shots. Followed by Karaoke til close
Every Saturday
Food & drink: Cocktail mixology masterclass
The Cellar Bar @ 3pm / doors open at 12 noon
£30 per person
The Cellar Bar’s resident mixologist, Marley, will explain how to create some outstanding cocktails for your tasting enjoyment. Then, it’s your turn to put what you’ve learned into practice by making (and drinking) three cocktails!
Every Sunday
Live Music: Open Mic Night
The Cellar Bar @ 7.30pm
Free Entry
Every Sunday, join Mat Roberts for the Cellar Bar’s weekly Open Mic night. An opportunity for new and experienced performers to get up on stage and perform.
So whether you think you are the next Tom Grennan or just want a good night of entertainment, head the to Cellar Bar from 7.30pm.
Theatre highlights by Paula Walker
