10 September 2026
Following a 20-year career in PR and marketing, Erica set up the arts and culture magazine, the Bedford Clanger, in 2011, which followed the formation of We Are Bedford, which she co-founded.
This was a community organisation that used empty shops as event spaces. The Facebook group of the same name, originally attached to this project, now has over 100,000 members and serves as a thriving community page for Bedfordians to help each other get the most out of the area.
Her expertise as part of We Are Bedford was integral to Bedford’s selection by the government as one of its 12 Portas Pilot Towns to help revitalise town centres.
As the founder of BedPop, a not-for-profit events organisation, Erica also led the delivery of ambitious multi-venue town-wide activities as part of the Fun Palaces initiative and throughout British Science Week.
With the support of Julia Course, BedPop was also responsible for launching Taste Bedford, a food and music festival that ran for three years on the embankment of the River Great Ouse; Bedford Flea; Bedford Repair Cafe; and the Castle Quay Weekenders.
This culminated in co-founding Progress Publishing, which publishes the Bedford Independent and the Bedford Clanger, and she undertook NCTJ training to further cement her skills and further her passion for writing about Bedford Borough.
As editor of the Bedford Clanger, Erica is dedicated to raising pride in Bedford by celebrating the art, culture, heritage, independent businesses and community life that make the Borough unique.
Erica has also spoken at national events on topics including community building, placemaking and independent publishing.
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