Back in June, we asked Bedfordians to help us create a photographic representation of 24 hours in the Borough. We received dozens of applications to take part, from professional photographers to dog walkers, families to organisations.
We are now thrilled to be able to share the photos here and in the September issue of the Bedford Clanger.
Book-ended by Daniel Churchill’s incredible images of the moon, the photos capture everything from Bedford Parkrun to choir rehearsals, street cleaning to bedtime stories. Thanks to the sponsorship of Simply Creative you can watch the film of the project here.
“We are so grateful to everyone who took part in this year’s project,” said Clanger editor, Erica Roffe. “It’s hard to choose a favourite photo, but Jennie and Mike’s wedding picture is definitely up there.
“She had requested the 2pm slot, as had street photographer, Ethan Mearns. I asked Jennie if she would mind if I put Ethan in touch with them to capture their wedding and the result is so joyful and a beautiful collaboration that sums up the ethos of the project.”
The Bedford in a Day project would not have been possible without the support of Simply Creative who are based in the beautifully restored Salvation Army building on Bedford High Street.
Founder, Sebi, said: “We love being part of the Bedford community and this project celebrates the best of Bedford.”
You can see all of the photos here, plus some of the comments of our amazing contributors and what being part of Bedford in a Day 2024 meant to them.
Roll on next year!
Midnight: Bedford Street Angels
00:30 – moonlight over Bedford by Daniel Churchill
03:00 – Say Doughnuts’ production line by Nataliiia Yatsura
04:00 – Small Hours Bakery by Kelsey Tucker
05:00 – Bedford street cleaners outside the Old Town Hall
05:30 – Brickhill alottment by Paul McGrath
06:00 – Market set up on St Paul’s Square
06:30 – early morning in Bedford by Cameron Scrimgeour
07:00 – Thameslink train at Bedford station by Rajat Srivastava
“It’s an honour to be part of a legacy of something about our wonderful town.
“I chose my subjects as morning time is the time when people are usually trying to get to work..many by trains and buses so I chose to show that. We have a reasonable public transport system with good connections and that was my thought process.”
07:30 – Tropical Bedford on Chiltern Avenue by Gail Shreeves
08:00 – Runners on the Butterfly Bridge by John Anderson and Charlie
08:30 – setting up the cafe at You For Coffee and The Arc by Gemma Crawley-Roberts
09:00 – Bedford Parkrun’s 600th event by Oskar Konrad Photography
09:30 – Creative Days art workshop by Philippa McDonald
“The children as ever showed brilliant commitment and perseverance whilst working with balloons, newspaper, glue and plenty of orange acrylic paint. There’s never a dull moment in the rehearsals of The Place Theatre on a Saturday morning!”
10:00 – Pouring the hops at Brewpoint
10:30 – Empower Boxfit with Laura Pagliaro by Rachel Dunford
10:30 – Queen’s Park Family Hub
11:00 – Bedford Borough Council mobile library on the road
11.30 – Heron & Hush paddleboarding on the River Great Ouse
Lesley Robinson – Heron & Hush Paddleboarding: “It was lovely to be a part of this project, showing my favourite part of the town, the River, from the perfect viewpoint, on the River Great Ouse itself!
“The photo shows my love of SUP and introducing others to paddleboarding with Heron and Hush.”
12:00 – Bedford Market St Paul’s Square Dr Alexander Sheldon
12:30 – Bedford Repair Cafe time-lapse video
13:00 – Lego Club at Bedford Central Library
13:30 – North Bedfordshire Ramblers by Sandra Kelsey
Sandra Kelsey: “As we walk every Saturday afternoon, getting involved was an ideal opportunity to share what we all love to do and get the message out there. We are a very friendly group and hopefully people will want to come and experience more of our wonderful county and walk with us.
“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to showcase what we do.”
14:00 – Jennie and Mike’s wedding at Bedford Town Hall by Ethan Mearns
Ethan Mearns: “It was amazing to capture such pure and candid emotion between Jennie & Mike, a moment permanently recorded in photo.”
Jennie Desmond: “It was an honour to be part of the Bedford in a Day project.
“I have lived in Bedford all my life and I love it here. We really enjoyed working with Ethan, he was very much in the background and the photo he took we absolutely love.”
14:30 Bedford Choral Society with Bedford Sinfonia at The Corn Exchange by Helen Walker
15:00 – visitors at the Higgins
16:00 – Hear and Now Philharmonia Orchestra, Tibbs Dementia Foundation, Fusion Youth Choir by Sarah Russell
16:30 – Eagle Gallery by Robert Felton
17:00 – street photography by Cameron Scrimgeour
18:00 – Portugal v Turkey Euros viewing party at Brewpoint
18.30 – John Bunyan Community Boat by Sue McGrath
19:00 – Bedford town centre by Dominka Kalinowska
“I took part in the project because it brings me joy to be able to be part of this amazing, creative community.
“I chose to capture Bedford town centre where everything is happening; markets coming, people singing, sellers selling flowers and dresses, youths cycling around, couples going out for dates.
“The centre is the heart of Bedford. I loved to capture its normal existence, in simplicity and minimalism.”
19:30 – Bedtime reading Holly, Frances and Brae photo by Simon
21:00 – Bedford School boarders
21:30 – Sunset at Priory Marina by Amy Ashton
22:30 – 80s night at Bedford Esquires
23:30 – moon rising over the bandstand in Bedford Park by Daniel Churchill
Thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Bedford in a Day project and we’re already making plans for next year. Special thanks to our sponsors, Simply Creative who put the film together. We couldn’t have done it without you!
