Bedford’s Italian heritage is under the spotlight tonight (Tuesday) in the BBC2 documentary, Inside the Factory, hosted by Gregg Wallace.
As well as investigating the production of filled pasta at a factory in Hertfordshire, the programme-makers visited a pizzeria in Bedford to learn about the history of Italian migration to the town.
Food historian, Ruth Goodman, visited Mamma Concetta on Harpur Street and met with owner, Alfonsino (Fonz) Baravoco and Lydia Saul, keeper of social history at the Higgins Bedford.
Lydia shared the history of Bedford’s local Italian community and local people of Italian Heritage were also asked to share their own personal stories of arriving in England.
Post Second World War II, both Martson Valley Brickworks and London Brick Company set up recruitment offices in Naples and other locations in Italy from 1947 to the mid-1950’s.
Male labourers were provided four-year contracts to help with the shortage of workers in the UK following the war.
“It was filmed last year,” said Fonz. “It was fascinating to meet Ruth and Lydia and to learn more about the history of Bedford’s brickworks, why they are here and why lots of Italians came over in the 1950s to work in them.”
Mamma Concetta, which is currently undergoing a refurbishment and will reopen on Thursday, is an Italian pizzeria in the heart of the town centre, serving traditional Neopolitan-style pizzas.
“It’s very important for us to keep Italian traditions alive and to use authentic Italian ingredients,” Fonz told the Bedford Independent.
“I’m very proud to be part of tonight’s programme, flying the flag for Bedford’s Italian community and restauranteurs.”
You can discover stories and objects about the history and heritage of the brickworks and the Italian workers in the recently re-opened Somewhere in England gallery at the Higgins Bedford.
Exhibits include the clocking in machine, tools and the boots used by brick-workers.
You can watch Inside the Factory on BBC2 tonight (Tuesday) at 9pm and find out more details here.
