Back in May 2011, if you’d told me the magazine we were about to launch would still be going strong 15 years later, I would have laughed you out of the room.
But here we are, celebrating the 15th anniversary of The Bedford Clanger, and I couldn’t be prouder.
The Clanger was originally conceived as an antidote to the negativity about Bedford*; I’d got so fed up of hearing people saying there was nothing to do in Bedford, that it seemed the obvious solution to set up a ‘fanzine’ about the town that I love.
The Clanger’s ethos was to share that passion for Bedford’s USP with a wider audience, highlighting the wealth of art, culture and shopping right on our doorstep.
Thanks to the Newspaper Club (our original print partner), Marisa Straccia (designer) and Shaun Armstrong (photographer), we managed to get the first issue out at the end of May 2011 – and the rest is history.
You can read our first issue here.
And more recent issues here.
Over the years, we’ve been blessed with contributions from so many writers, photographers, illustrators and designers, all sharing our optimism and love of Bedford.
And we have moved our printing to White Hart Press, to continue our support of independent local businesses.
Back in 2011, we aimed to create something completely unique in the area that people would actually want to pick up, read and share with their friends.
It was entertaining and a bit irreverent, the bastard daughter of Viz, The Guardian Guide, and Loaded (in its James Brown heyday).
Just a glance at the front covers from our archive brings back some incredible memories, and I feel lucky to have worked alongside such talented Bedfordians.
A huge thank you to our Clanger alumni, with special mention to my Progress Publishing crew (commercial director, Julia Course (literally couldn’t do it without her), and Paul Hutchinson, proofreader extraordinaire), plus designers Marisa Straccia, Adam Boreham, Kristina Bullen, Emma Lemon, Curtis Reeve and Ben Graham.
Also: Paula Walker, Lloyd Lugsden, Stephen Bywater, Jane Perrone, Rev Sharon Grenham Thompson, Cat Lane, Shaun Armstrong, David Litchfield, Cameron Scrimgeour and everyone else we’ve had the pleasure to work with.
What does the Clanger mean to you?
We asked some of our fellow Bedfordians what The Clanger means to them – and it’s fair to say that some of these answers brought a tear to our eye.
Here’s to the next 15 years…
“Global names and big branded shops don’t make a town unique, but instead it’s the creative personality that comes through…We’re lucky to have The Clanger in all its personality.” Rosanna Heasman, The Store.
“Whenever anybody asks me what makes Bedford special, I have some default answers to this question, but one is always ‘go take a look at the Bedford Clanger.” James Pharaoh MBE, The Quarry Theatre/Bedfringe
“In a world where local press, culture magazines and fanzines have all but disappeared, The Clanger stands as a shining beacon of hope, as an invaluable asset to the town and the creative people and businesses within it.
“We now promote [gigs] all over the UK and ask venues for their local press contacts – it’s very rare that we get connected to something as dedicated, a vehicle designed to shout about the good things that happen in the community.
“Fifteen years is a long time to keep up anything, and we just hope there are another fifteen to come! Long live The Clanger.” Gareth Barber, owner of the award-winning local music venue, Esquires.
“Considering half of the Circus committee were once Clanger designers, it’s safe to say we have a long history together.
“The Clanger casts a spotlight on the best of Bedford’s cultural landscape. It’s so often overlooked in towns like ours, and the Clanger provides genuine and heartfelt support for the creatives who are trying to enrich our town.” The Circus of Illustration
“We’re happy to be one of the places residents can grab a copy. And grab they must – the latest editions always go like hot cakes!” Georgia Bowers, Bedford Central Library
“The Clanger is the definitive guide to arts and culture in Bedford. Visitors make a beeline to our newsstand, where we always have the latest copy available.” Annalie Maher, Visitor Information Officer – What’s On Bedford Borough Visitor Information Centre
“The Clanger is amazing, it’s the best way to find out what art and culture is happening in Bedford.
“We have really noticed the attendance increasing at our events as a result of your listings, which makes a lot of difference to our fundraising efforts.” Lesley, Friends of the John Bunyan Museum and Library
“Here at the Bedfordshire Orchestral Society, we’re so grateful for the support you give to us in terms of promoting our events and our musicians.
“You’ve been instrumental in helping us to double our regular audience for our concerts in the last two years.” Ann Collins, Bedford Orchestral Society
“The Bedford Clanger has always been incredibly supportive to Bedford Skeptics. We both share a desire to make our plucky hometown a more interesting and fun place to live.” Eamonn McGuinness, Bedford Skeptics
“Your optimism and community spirit really shine through, and it’s been great to see how The Clanger continues to celebrate the very best of Bedford in such a positive way! Ben Woodfine
“We know from 40 years in Bedford that there is a huge amount of culture and talent across this community, and one of the biggest challenges for any creative producer is promotion.
“It’s great to have a local news organisation flying the flag for culture all year round.” Elaine Midgley, BCA
“In these digital days, it is so refreshing to have a magazine that encapsulates all that is good about Bedford, bringing the community together through art, culture, and entertainment, and is easily available to all.”Stephen Barratt, Bedford Tour Guides
“I never miss picking up a copy. Despite the naysayers, the positive variety of what’s on locally is always impressive and inspiring.” Cllr Lucy Bywater
“The Clanger has been a brilliant facility for those of us wanting a quick check to see what’s on and to benefit from advertising our own events, always attractively presented and up to date.” Ann Collett-White, St Paul’s Church
“A force for positivity and enlightenment in print, profiling the town’s culture that is sometimes overlooked…long may it continue!” Lloyd Lugsden
“In a world where most marketing we see is from large corporations, it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to pick up a copy of The Clanger to see what’s happening at a grassroots level, unique to our town.” Jessica Answer, Boyd’s Printworks
“The Clanger is a Bedford icon. It’s so great to be able to catch up on all of the wonderful activities that Bedford has to highlight and support so many small, local businesses too.” Lauren Trioano, Little Marketing Company
And here’s what our original print partner, The Newspaper Club, said: “When Newspaper Club was starting out, we really wanted to help new publishers get their newspapers off the ground.
“The Bedford Clanger is such a great example of what a modern local newspaper can be.
“Congratulations on 15 years. We’re so happy to be part of your journey.”
*this was back when we had an M&S, Debenhams, BHS and Beales. What were people complaining about??
