Join us this month to raise a glass to all of the anniversaries that are taking place this year. From our own fifth birthday to the 850th anniversary of Bedford’s Royal Charter, there’s plenty to celebrate throughout the year. Cheers!
The Bedford Clanger
To kick off the celebrations, it’s happy 5th birthday to us. With the help of designer Marisa Straccia and photographer Shaun Armstrong we launched 1,000 copies of an eight page newspaper in May 2011 and quickly embarked on a very steep learning curve. We’ve made a few changes since then, but our ethos has always remained the same: to showcase the very best that Bedford has to offer. We’ve always wanted to make Bedfordians proud of where they live and we hope we’ve achieved that.
Here’s to the next five years. Cheers!
Circus of Illustration
Also in 2011, the Circus of Illustration was born. The group is comprised of professional Bedfordshire illustrators who operate as part of a creative collective bringing the joy of doodling to the masses. Over the last five years they’ve run galleries, taken part in pop up shops, run illustration workshop and brought Drink & Draw to the pubs of Bedford. We can’t wait to see what they’re up to next! Follow them on twitter @wearethecircus
Bedford Borough
We’ll concede that in the grand scheme of things, a fifth birthday looks a bit small-fry in comparison to 850 years! Way back in 1166 King Henry II signed a historic Royal Charter granting special rights and privileges to the people of Bedford Borough in exchange for annual taxes paid to the King. Listed as the second oldest in the country the charter marked the importance of Bedford and went on to shape the modern Borough creating the flourishing and vibrant market town and surrounding villages we see today.
A lot has changed over the past 850 years and the range of events taking place throughout the year to mark this anniversary is already shaping up to be just as varied. Joining already established events like Bedfringe and the Bedford Film Festival will be medieval markets, an 1166 village at the River Festival, special exhibitions, an 850th trail at the Higgins Bedford and much more. For all the latest info on events and celebrations go to: bedford850.co.uk
Bedfringe
Happy 10th birthday to the team that brings the very best of theatre, comedy, performance art, dance, spoken word and more to Bedford each July. Now firmly established on the world fringe circuit, Bedfringe will once again take up residence at the Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s. We can’t wait to see what this year’s programme has got lined up…. Bedfringe.com
Harpur Trust
2016 promises to be an action packed and exciting year for Bedfordians with a whole host of events being organised by The Harpur Trust to celebrate its 450th anniversary, honouring the remarkable legacy left to the people of Bedford by Sir William Harpur.
Schools’ art competition, a brilliant Run and Fun Day at Priory Country Park, a writing competition in association with the John Bunyan Museum and the launch of the Bedford Chronicles are just a few of the highlights of 2016. As part of its anniversary celebrations, the Trust has set aside an additional £45,000 to distribute in small grants of up to £1,000 throughout the year.
All of the 450th events are open to the general public and are either heavily subsidised or free. To find out more, contact Sarah Elam, 450@harpurtrust.org.uk tel: 01234 369519 or find us on Facebook or Twitter #herefor450.
Charles Wells Brewery
140 years ago a former captain in the merchant navy bought a brewery and 32 pubs in Bedford.
That man, Charles Wells, started a brewing tradition that today sees Bedford home to the largest independent and family run brewery in the UK, exporting beer all over the world.
Charles Wells produces many own brews including: Bombardier, Eagle and Charlie Wells Dry Hopped Lager. On top of that the brewery imports Estrella Damm and German Wheat beer Erdinger into the UK and also looks after the canning of many other products on behalf of other breweries.
As part of their 140th birthday celebrations you can join a ‘Taste of the Brewery’ food and beer matching evening, hosted by Head Brewer Karl Ottomar, on 21st April. Tickets are £25 and available by emailing: communications@charleswells.co.uk.
Bedford Park Proms – WIN TICKETS
This year marks the 20th Proms in the Park and the event is firmly established on Bedford’s social calendar. People love to come with their family and friends, bring their bubbly and lay out their picnic area. Some come dressed up in black tie and decorate their tables in a spectacular way, others come and appreciate the unique laid back family-friendly atmosphere.
The Bedford Park Proms takes place on 6th August 2016 and we have a pair of tickets to give away. Just tell us what the combined age of The Bedford Clanger, Bedfringe and Charles Wells. Email your name, contact details and answer to: thebedfordclanger@gmail.com with ‘Pick Me for the Proms’ in your subject line.
For more info about Bedford Park Proms visit: bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk
Marston Vale Railway line
As part of the 170th birthday of the Marston Vale line, a series of events and activities will roll-out in conjunction with the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnerships and its supporters and partners throughout the year. The only working stretch of the old ‘varsity’ line between Bedford and Bletchley sees the installation of a new interactive artwork designed by artist Sally Annett. In the build up to the line’s 170th anniversary in November, Annett is installing a series of quiet visual and digital pieces which create a realworld and virtual contemplative trail which travels directly through the landscape of Bunyan’s Pilgrims Progress. Working with support from London Midland, Network Rail, Arts Council England, Luton and Bedford Community Foundation, Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership and Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, the project will launch on 24th March, the first day of spring of 2016 and run as a pilot for one year.
marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk
And finally, Happy 4th Birthday to Castle Comedy – bringing the cream of the comedy circuit to Bedford since 2012. For more information about this month’s line-up and to book tickets: castlecomedy.co.uk
You can read the full April issue of the Bedford Clanger here.
