This month’s Great Bedfordian is Eddie Adams: photographer, drag artist, brain tumour campaigner and provocateur.
Known for his appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race and his failed attempt to bring Katie Hopkins to Bedford, he’s passionate about his hometown of Bedford.
Not only that, he’s only gone and read The Pilgrim’s Progress!
Name: Edward Clemente Ruggiero AKA Eddie Adams, Big Gay Ed, Hole-in-the-head-Ed
Occupation: Portrait photographer
Born here or blow in? Born and raised.
Best breakfast in Bedford? Price-wise, West 4 [on Harpur Street] do a great job, but I am partial to a D’Parys Hotel full English.
Best boozer? You’re trying to get me into trouble, aren’t you?! Top spot has to go to The Wellington Arms.
Best coffee or cuppa? I take coffee very seriously, so I must give credit to Say Doughnuts for a fantastic Allpress flat white. However, notable cortado mentions also go to Vanilla Tree, Maison Le Votre, Real Coffee, The Arc, The Embankment Hotel, and Not Another Jungle.
I am also partial to the occasional Pavilion double macchiato paired with a Cornish pasty while walking the dog around Bedford Park.
Best takeaway? Will definitely be in the dog house for this one, but at the moment it’s Siam Heaven. I highly recommend the Chicken Pad Thai, Pad 3 Rod and a Massaman Curry. You can thank me later!
Best gig you’ve seen in Bedford? About 20 years ago, I saw an indie skater band called No Comply at Esquires, which to this day will go down as one of my favourite gigs ever.
Ever read John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress? Of course! I also attended a Sunday service at the Bunyan Church recently, and all the stained glass depicts scenes from the book, a must-see for JB fans.
Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? A long time ago, good luck finding one today though, they’ve disappeared.
An off-the-beaten-track gem that everyone should know about? There are a few, but I have to give a shout out to Amalfi on Tavistock Street. Their classic Italian birthday cake with Strega and a big tray of Mignons are a staple for any occasion, birthday or otherwise.
Best Bedfordian? Tough one, but I’m going to go with my dear friend Geraldo Santaniello of Santaniello’s Pizzeria and the whole family. Absolute salt of the earth people.
Three words that best sum up Bedford? BEDFORD ISN’T SH*T
