As part of our 15th birthday celebrations, our Great Bedfordians this month are The Clanger’s editor, Erica Roffe, and Julia Course, its commercial director.
Erica and Julia have been working on The Clanger together since 2014 and, in 2018, joined forces with Paul Hutchinson to set up the Bedford Independent and Progress Publishing.
They were also the team behind BedPop events, including Taste Bedford, Fun Palaces, Science Labs, BedPop Record Shops and Bedford Flea (now handed over to the lovely Laura Holmes).
First up, Erica…
Name: Erica Roffe
Occupation: Co-founder of the Bedford Independent and founder and editor of the Bedford Clanger.
Born here or blow in? Blew in in 1998. I grew up in South Bucks, but was living and working in London before I moved here.
Best breakfast in Bedford? It has to be the French toast at Vanilla Tree with bacon and maple syrup. A great spot to watch the world go by on St Cuthbert’s Street, and the staff are excellent.
Best boozer? Despite giving up alcohol 14 years ago, I do love a boozer. The Polhill Arms is a current fave – and their Ploughmans and lunchtime soups are delicious.
Best coffee or cuppa? My drink of choice is a Diet Coke, but sometimes only a hot chocolate will do and Say Doughnuts would be my go-to.
Best takeaway? For a curry, we always go to The Grand (especially as they are our neighbours). We get our Chinese takeaways from Delicacies of China and pizza from Naughty Pizza or Etna. My kids love Souvlaki Station.
Best gig you’ve seen in Bedford? Too many to choose from, but Tim Burgess from The Charlatans or Izo Fitzroy at Esquires are right up there, as is Martha Reeves or Ian McCulloch (of Echo and the Bunnymen) at the Corn Exchange.
My biggest regret is missing seeing Kae Tempest when they performed here. Major FOMO about that one.
Ever read John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress? I’ve read the children’s version. Does that count? [Of course! – Ed]
Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? I have not only eaten one, but I’ve also made one. Didn’t make it taste any nicer though…
An off-the-beaten-track gem that everyone should know about? Johnstone Family Butchers (formerly Eric the Butchers) off The Boundary in Goldington. Graham, Pino and the team are super knowledgeable, and everything from ribs to sausage rolls, steak to sausages is delicious.
Highly recommended.
Best Bedfordian? Bedford’s indie business owners are deserving of all the praise.
They are what make our town unique, and the hard work required to make any business successful in the current climate is not to be underestimated.
Three words that best sum up Bedford? Creative; friendly; ambitious
Now, it’s over to you, Julia…
Name: Julia Course aka Crofts
Occupation: Commercial Director of Progress Publishing, the parent company responsible for The Bedford Clanger and Bedford Independent and Business Manager for Scott Primary School – hence my two names, but that’s my cover blown now.
Born here or blow in? Born here. I had ambitions to leave when I was younger, but here I still happily am.
It must be the good transport links that mean you can enjoy a great day out and still be home in your pjs for 7pm.
Best breakfast in Bedford? Papillon Coffee House on Castle Road makes a mean bacon sarnie – white bread and brown sauce is the law.
Best boozer? For a good old-fashioned boozer, you can’t beat The Devvy.
Best coffee or cuppa? We are spoilt for choice, and I mean that in a good way and not in a ‘not another coffee shop’ comment on Facebook way.
You for Coffee in The Arc makes a great flat white with a side order of wit and charm from the staff.
No.7 Coffee House for a takeaway coffee when on my way to the hairdressers. I also have the advantage of a family staff discount at Costa and Starbucks (yes, I know, not independent businesses, but they employ local people).
It’s a good job that I really like coffee!
Best takeaway? New Bombay for a curry (and we enjoy eating in, including on Christmas days) and Canton Chinese on Tavistock Street.
We have received Christmas cards from both of these in the past – that’s how much we enjoy their food.
My eldest can highly recommend Mill Yard Coffee Shop for their tasty Sausage and Egg baps. Our doorbell frequently needs new batteries due to the number of deliveries!
Best gig you’ve seen in Bedford? We have an amazing music scene in Bedford and there is something for everyone.
Bedford Summer Sessions is always a good night out and I am really looking forward to Paul Weller this year.
Taking my boys when they were little to Bedford Proms at the Movies is a happy memory.
Enjoying the music and the ‘performances’ of the spectators in their finery and with full-on banquet tables and candelabras was simply a delight.
Ever read John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress? Not that I can recall, but I am sure we would have covered bits at school. I have been to the John Bunyan Museum, though.
Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? Alas, my taste buds just aren’t up for it!
An off-the-beaten-track gem that everyone should know about? Back to coffee, but there is an amazing new coffee shop in the old showhome at Ravensden, São José Coffee.
Best Bedfordian? This is the thing with Bedford – it’s not just one person but a mix of so many people bringing their different personalities, skills and creativity to ensure that Bedford isn’t Shit.
Three words that best sum up Bedford? I refer you to my previous answer – Bedford isn’t Shit!
