I returned to my home town of Bedford in order to establish The Eagle Bookshop in 1991. What began as a small room and a dream has expanded into six rooms and two buildings full of bookish treasures together with a community art gallery. Surrounded by books and people who love books, life is pretty good and Bedford has proved the perfect location for my dream.
Name: Peter Budek
Occupation: Bookseller
Born here or blow in? Raised, left and then drawn back in – like so many others.
Best thing about Bedford? Its diversity.
Best place to get a coffee or cuppa? Foods of Italy for coffee. (Tea always best homemade)
Best breakfast? The cafe in the new Peacocks sale room – we’re suddenly using the auction more!
The one place you’d recommend to visitors? The Higgins
Ever read John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress? Yes – but it is my job.
Bedford’s best boozer? The Devy (or The Welly, or most that have a fond ‘y’ stuck on the end for that matter)
Best Bedfordian? Are you fishing for compliments, Erica? Seriously, Bedford has a fantastic generation of women doing great things at the moment – a hugely appropriate legacy for future generations as we mark the centenary of votes for women ourselves. I would have to shout out for my great friend Ruth Hogan in particular – her second novel has just been published, and her first was a massive literary and commercial success.
Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? Yes – even tried to create the ‘samanger’, combining the samosa and the clanger. Diversity again, you see.
Three words that sum up Bedford: “Food bridges community”
