Your weekly what’s on guide for Bedford and the surrounding area from the Bedford Clanger.
Never miss a thing in Bedford ever again. From theatre to film, live music to art exhibitions, The Bedford Clanger what’s on guide lands every Thursday and is the only guide you need to know what’s on and what’s happening across the Borough for the next 10 days.
The Bedford Clanger’s What’s On Guide is kindly sponsored by The Cellar Bar.
Thursday 5 September 2024
Quiz: Esquires Monthly Music Quiz
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
£2 per person / max six people per team
Brain cells at the ready, it’s Esquires music quiz and everyone’s welcome. Featuring music from the 50’s to the present, it’s £2 per person to enter with teams of up to a maximum of six people.
Cash prize for the winning team.
Thursday 5 September 2024
Live music: Karaoke
The Cellar Bar at 8pm
Free entry
The ONLY place you need to be for karaoke on a Thursday night – The Cellar Bar on the High Street. Pure karaoke with over 50,000 songs to choose from.
Perform like a pro with the Cellar Bar’s professional lighting, sound and a proper stage, with the best-sounding performers and acoustics on the High Street. Sing with your friends using multiple microphones and, of course, the one and only Matt Bedford hosting your night.
Thursday 5 September 2024
Dancing: Planet Swing featuring The 251s
The Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village, Bedford Road, Bedford, MK42 6EA @ 8pm – 10.30pm
Tickets: £12.99
An evening for dancers and music enthusiasts alike. Cashless bar, plenty of seating (night club set up) and dance floor. Book in advance and come along at 7.15pm for a 45 minute dance class in Balboa, one of the original swing dances of the era. For the main event, just turn up – pay cash at reception – have fun, no booking needed.
Thursday 5 September 2024
Live music: Irish Folk Night
The Castle Pub, Newnham Street @ 8.30pm
Free entry
Head to the Castle for a fun night of Irish tunes by the pub’s resident musicians who will be playing some classic foot tapping Irish tunes for all to enjoy.
The pub’s next Irish Night is on 3 October.
Friday 6 September 2024
Lifelong learning: Rothsay Education Centre Open Day
Rothsay Education Centre, 6 Rothsay Gardens, Bedford, MK40 3QB @ 2pm – 4pm
Free
The Rothsay Education Centre is having an Open day on Friday 6 September from 2 – 4 pm – perfect for anyone with a love for lifelong learning. Pop along to find out how you can get involved, meet some of the tutors and staff, do a taster, (mindful breathing, the life of Katherine of Aragon, find out who were Gainsborough’s Mr and Mrs Andrews and discover how to live to 100!) and have a free glass of Pimms.
Friday 6 September 2024
Film: Sundown Cinema present – Mama Mia!
Russell Park @ 8pm
Ticket prices vary
The impossibly popular story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the Swedish seventies songsters, ABBA.
Friday 6 September 2024
Live music: The 900 – Town Hawk Pro Skater Cover Band
Esquires Bedford @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Picture this… It’s August 1999, people are getting excited about Red and Blue Pills, Star Wars has embarked on the first of their many prequel films and the Dalek-esque tones of Dial-Up fill the airwaves and landlines… But none of that is important because Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater has just entered the world of video games with a soundtrack that we simply weren’t ready for!
The 900 are the UK’s first and only Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater cover band and with the approval of the Birdman himself they’re ready to kickflip into every big banger from THPS1 to American Wasteland.
So roll back the years, get in the pit and come thrash around to some of the best Punk Rock and Ska tracks from Tony Hawk’s legendary series featuring tracks from the likes of Rage Against The Machine, Nirvana, Dead Kennedys, Millencolin, Bodyjar, Green Day, Alien Ant Farm, Refused, Ramones, AFI, Johnny Cash, Black Flag, Misfits, Adolescents, Agent Orange, Goldfinger, Less Than Jake, Flogging Molly, No FX, CKY, Motorhead, Suicidal Tendacies, Papa Roach, Bad Religion, Fu Manchu, System Of A Down, Lagwagon, My Chemical Romance, Powerman 5000, Queens of the Stone Age, Swingin’ Utters, Zebrahead, Kiss and many more.
Friday 6 September 2024
Live music: The Cellar Bar presents Stars in Their Eyes
The Cellar Bar @ 6pm
Free entry
For those of us of a certain age, no 90s Saturday night was complete without tuning in to Matthew Kelly hosting Stars in Their Eyes. If you’ve been missing the transformational TV talent show, then you’re in luck!
The team at the Cellar Bar on Bedford High Street have been working hard behind the scenes to bring their very own version of the show to their stage. This evening of 90s nostalgia is hosted by Samantha Hughes and just like the TV series, the audience will vote for their favourite act.
Friday 6 September 2024
Live music: Whitney – Queen of the Night
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £33
Direct from the West End, The London Palladium, and the iconic Royal Albert Hall, Whitney – Queen of the Night is a celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of all time: Whitney Houston.
Experience the ultimate tribute to the remarkable musical repertoire of Whitney Houston in an electrifying production that honours her timeless songs with sensational vocalists and a full live band.
Prepare to be blown away by an extraordinary journey through three decades of all-time hits such as I Wanna Dance With Somebody, One Moment In Time, I’m Every Woman, I Will Always Love You, My Love Is Your Love, So Emotional, Run To You, Saving All My Love, How Will I Know, Million Dollar Bill, The Greatest Love Of All, and many more.
Friday 6 September 2024
Live music: Gaye Bykers on Acid
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £18
GBOA, the psychedelic electro-punk pop ‘grebo’ combo from LA & the Leicester Area are coming to Bedford Esquires for the very first time this month.
Gaye Bykers on Acid were formed in late 1984 by Ian Reynolds (Robber) and Ian Hoxley (Mary). They were later joined by guitarist and art student Tony Horsfall and drummer Kevin Hyde. Their first gig was at The Princess Charlotte in Leicester in mid-1985.
In 2016, it was announced that GBOA would be reforming for a final performance at Indie Daze in October 2016 however the band have continued to tour with Mary Byker spending time between big GBOA and Pop Will Eat Itself, two bands, one great frontman.
Saturday 7 – 15 September 2024
Walking: Bedfordshire Festival of Autumn Walks 2024
Throughout Bedfordshire
What better way to explore the beautiful countryside of Bedfordshire than by foot during this month’s annual Festival of Autumn Walks.
The festival, organised by Bedfordshire Ramblers, runs from 7 – 15 September, and the walks offer something for everyone, from a half-mile leisurely stroll to a 21-mile march across the Greensand Ridge.
Among this year’s highlights is a Ghost Walk on – appropriately – Friday 13 September, organised by friend of the festival, Barry Ingram. There is also a Bat Walk at Harrold Odell Country Park and two walks around Foster Hill Cemetery, the first looking at the names and stories behind the gravestones and the second discovering the variety of trees that call the cemetery their home.
Turvey History Society is running two local history walks and for those looking for something more adventurous, there is a 40 mile Greensand Ridge Challenge that takes place over a weekend. If that feels a bit too much like hard work, you can join the stroll along the River Great Ouse and a gentle cruise back on the John Bunyan Community Boat.
For more information and the full program visit bedswalkfest.co.uk/walks or check out the event’s Facebook page.
Saturday 7 September 2024
Wilstead walk, Wilstead MK45 3DY @ 13:30pm
A six-mile walk with good views of Bedford and Cardington.
Sunday 8 September
Old Warden Church SG18 9HD @ 1.30pm
Pleasant 5.5 mile walk through woods to Cople and back.
Tuesday 10 September 2024
Walking festival: Priory Country Park MK41 9RZ @ 10am
A 10-mile walk along Gt Ouse to Willington, Cople and Cardington.
Thursday 12 September 2024
Bromham, Chestnut Avenue MK43 8GB @ 10am
A six-mile circuit of the ancient Salem Thrift and Stevington Windmill.
Thursday 12 September 2024
John Bunyan Boat Walk and Sail MK41 9RZ @ 9.30am
Five-and-a-half mile walk to Great Barford and sail back. Booking essential via the John Bunyan boat website.
Thursday 12 September 2024
Mowsbury Park MK41 8AH @ 1.30pm
A five-and-a-half-mile walk through Putnoe and Marsh Woods to Ravensden House and back via the Brook.
Saturday 14 September 2024
Harrold Country Park MK43 7DS @ 10am and 1.30pm
Morning walk South of the river towards Pavenham (6.5 miles), afternoon to the north via Great Wood (6.25 miles) or come for both to cover 12.75 miles.
Sunday 15 September 2024
Sharnbrook Academy MK44 1JL @ 10am
Six-mile walk north through the Colworth Estate.
For more information and the full program visit bedswalkfest.co.uk/walks or check out the event’s Facebook page.
Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 September 2024
Sport: Bedford Running Festival
In and around Russell Park all weekend
The Bedford Running Festival is more than just a running event, it’s where running meets festival fun and magical memories are made! Throughout the weekend you can take part in epic races and entertainment for the entire family.
Our very own Paul Hutchinson and Julica Crofts will be taking part and you can find out how to sponsor them here.
Saturday 7 September 2024
Film: Sundown Cinema present – Toy Story
Russell Park @ 8pm
Ticket prices vary
Despite being nearly 30 years old, this tale of the rivalry between Woody, the faithful cowboy doll and new toy on the block, Buzz Lightyear never gets old.
Saturday 7 September 2024
Film: Sundown Cinema present – Barbie
Russell Park @ 8pm
Ticket prices vary
The box-office smash of 2023 sees Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) having the time of their lives in the colourful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.
Saturday 7 September 2024
Heritage Open Days: Behind the Scenes at the Museum
The Panacea Museum, Newnham Road @ 11am – 5pm
Free entry
The Panacea Museum on Newnham Road is among hundreds of organisations taking part in this year’s nationwide Heritage Open Days this month. On Saturday 7 September, you can take part in a free Behind the Scenes tour of the museum, to discover collections and archives not on display.
You will also find out how the curators look after artefacts left behind by the Panacea Society. The tours are led by the Museum Director, Zara Matthews.
Saturday 7 September 2024
Children’s Theatre: The Extraordinary Time Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen
The Quarry Theatre @ 1pm & 3pm
Tickets: from £12
An award-winning improvised comedy storytelling show. Amazing tales elegantly told! Jackanory meets Whose Line Is It Anyway in this multi-award-winning family show, where three top comedians are challenged to invent their own ridiculous tall-tales inspired by the Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
All they have are their wits, some silly hats and the (not always kind… !) suggestions of an audience of children to ensure it all ends happily ever after. There will be pirates and princesses, unicorns and dragons, swordfights and spacemen, and all their stories are completely and irrefutably true!
Saturday 7 September 2024
Local history: Family fun day and Airship Museum R101 display
St Mary’s Church, Cardington @ 1pm – 4pm (fun day) 5pm – 7pm (airship museum event)
Free entry
The family fun day will feature fabulous raffle prizes, art and craft stalls plus an exhibition about the R101 airship.
Are you interested in the history of Cardington and its airships? Do you have time to spare where you can help us at the new museum we are developing at St Marys Church?
If the answer to this is yes, you’re invited to St Mary’s Church in Cardington this Saturday to earn how you can help run, maintain and improve this very important historical asset to the area. Your airship museum needs you!!!!
Saturday 7 September 2024
Live music: The Big 10
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Cambridge Ska legends Big 10 are back at Bedford Esquires this September following their packed show last summer.
Renowned for a huge Ska sound, entertaining stage antics and a loyal following, Big 10 are one of the most popular Ska / 2 tone acts in the south east. With eight – 10 musicians on stage at gigs, including two/three member brass section and two/three singers) a Big 10 performance is a real treat for the senses.
Saturday 7 September 2024
Live music: Life of Riley – 35th-anniversary celebration
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £9
Home-grown heroes, the Life of Riley, formed in Bedford in 1991 and are one of the town’s best-loved bands. Still going strong after over 35 years, the band are playing a huge 35th anniversary gig at Esquires this September.
The band are a full-throttle nod to Irish folk music and dance along shanties with dancing shoes compulsory!
Saturday 7 September 2024
Live Music: Double Header featuring Stalkers + Five Five Six
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / doors open at 6pm / Happy Hour until 9pm / very late close
Free entry
They are back!
First up tonight are Stalkers, a young and very talented musicians who came along to one of the Cellar Bar’s Open Mic/jam sessions in July 2023 and it’s all been all go since then.
If you’ve not seen Five Five Six at The Cellar Bar before, you are in for a treat, get ready for a great night of legendary rock tunes. The Cellar Bar literally rocks when these guys play!
Sunday 8 September 2024
Shop local: Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce Market
St Paul’s Square @ 10am
September sees fantastic Flea, awe-inspiring Affordable Art, lush Local Produce and spectacular Street Food, all in one place in the shadow of St Paul’s in Bedford Town Centre.
Don’t forget that there’s live music throughout the day supported by the Seeing Eye Rum team. They are passionate about supporting independent live music and they make the ‘Seeing Eye Music Stage’ possible, so you can enjoy free live music whilst you browse. Be sure to stop by their stall to sample some of their delicious spiced blend.
Sunday 8 September 2024
Film: Sundown Cinema presents Sing 2
Russell Park @ 10am
Ticket prices vary
Buster Moon and his friends must persuade reclusive rock star Clay Calloway (voiced by Bono) to join them for the opening of a new show.
Sunday 8 September 2024
Village life: Biddenham Village Show
St James CE Primary School, Main Road, Biddenham @ midday – 4pm
Entry: £2.50 / under 12s free
Biddenham Village Show returns this month and everyone is invited to take part in this quintessentially traditional village fete.
From classic cars to hook-a-duck plus a fun dog show, children’s fancy dress competition a human fruit machine and more, this is sure to be a fun day out for all the family.
Sunday 8 September 2024
Dance music: Daytime disco for grown-ups
The Cellar Bar @ 3pm / Happy Hour until 9pm
Free entry
It’s back! This Sunday, The Cellar Bar Daytime Disco is the chance to dance and sing along to some of the greatest hits ever on a Sunday afternoon! Why wait for the evening to have fun? And it’s all free! No tickets required.
Indulge in an afternoon filled with nostalgic tunes, singalongs, and a great atmosphere. The glitterball will be up and the neon outfits on. We welcome dressing up. Anyone who does will get a free shot from the bar. Free glow sticks and props.
Not only are we giving customers coming to this event a fabulous time, but please remember that we are just a bar and anyone can just come in, you don’t need to come just for events.
Sunday 8 September 2024
Classical music: Andrew Manze conducts Mozart and Bruckner, with Timothy Ridout and the Bedfordshire Music Trust Orchestra
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 4pm
Tickets: £20/£10
Andrew Manze, once a player with the Bedfordshire County Youth Orchestra and now an internationally renowned conductor, returns to his home town to conduct a specially invited orchestra of professional and semi-professional musicians from Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.
The concert also features another former BCYO player, Timothy Ridout, who has now established himself as one of the most sought-after viola players of his generation.
All net proceeds from the event will go to the Bedfordshire Music Trust, which supports young musicians from the area by organising instrumental courses and Bedfordshire Youth Opera.
Sunday 8 September 2024
Theatre: An Ideal Husband
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £6
DOT Productions returns to The Place with The Oscar Wilde Classic ‘An Ideal Husband’.
Sir Robert Chiltern’s dinner party takes a drastic turn when Mrs Cheveley makes a surprise announcement that reveals her true motive. Forced to choose between his family’s disappointment and his career, Sir Robert’s future hangs in the balance. Don’t miss out on this wonderfully witty Wilde play about public and private honour.
Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 September 2024
Exhbition: A Splash of Colour: new exhibition
Basement@Bunyan, Mill Street, Bedford, MK40 3EU @ 11am – 4pm
Free entry
Bedford-based artist, Ronald McKay, will be holding an exhibition of new work at the Basement @ Bunyan this month.
The ‘A Splash of Colour’ exhibition is open Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 September between 11am and 4pm and includes both drawings and paintings. It also includes the results of an artist residency at Holyhead Ferry Terminal last year.
Tuesday 10 September 2024
Film: The Royal Opera House presents: The Marriage of Figaro
Stevington Cinema Club, Stevington Village Hall, MK443 7QT @ 6.45pm
Tickets: £6
It’s Figaro’s wedding, and you’re invited to join the Almaviva household for an uproarious day of revelation and scandal. Mozart’s comic opera is packed with plot twists, forbidden desires and unforgettable melodies, combining laugh-out-loud comedy with moments of breathtaking beauty.
Thursday 12 September 2024
National Theatre Live: Prima Facie
The Quarry Theatre @ 7pm
Tickets: @15.50
Jodie Comer’s (Killing Eve) Olivier and Tony Award-winning performance in Suzie Miller’s gripping one-woman play returns to The Quarry Theatre.
Tessa is a young, brilliant barrister. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game; defending; cross examining and winning.
An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and
morals diverge. Prima Facie takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience collide with the rules of
the game.
Justin Martin directs this solo tour de force, captured live in 2022 during a sold out run at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End.
Wednesday 11 September 2024
Live music: Three Quarter Skies + Lemondaze + James Chapman (Maps) DJ set
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Three Quarter Skies, the new project from Slowdive drummer Simon Scott, we will playing a very special live event at Esquires to mark the release of their new album.
The album, ‘Fade In’, was recorded by Simon and mixed with the help of Flying Saucer Attack main-man Dave Pearce. In includes the singles ‘Crows’ and ‘Leave A Light On’, a Nick Drake cover and brand new versions of ‘Holy Water’ and ‘Pieces Of Roslin’, which was originally released on last year’s introductory EP, Universal Flames.
Noisy, melodic and often quite beautiful, this will be an unmissable gig for fans of Spirtualized, Suicide and Simon’s ‘other’ band.
Tickets on sale now, priced £12. In association with Arts Council England, a limited number of tickets will be available for just £5 for those on a low income or struggling with increases in the cost of living.
FFO: Slowdive, Ride, My Bloody Valentine, Chapterhouse
Thursday 12 September 2024
Live music: Lebrock + Wolf Cub
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
Retro, synthwave-rockers, LEBROCK are coming to Bedford for the very first time in September, when they visit the venue as part of their UK tour.
Combining ‘80s melodic rock riffs with shimmering synthwave melodies and a heartfelt vocal delivery, LeBrock members Michael and Shaun have established themselves as some of the most uniquely compelling artists within the world of retro music. The results speak for themselves.
hursday 12 September 2024
Dancing: Planet Swing featuring The Umbrella Big Band
The Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village, Bedford Road, Bedford, MK42 6EA @ 8pm – 10.30pm
Tickets: £12.99
An evening for dancers and music enthusiasts alike. Cashless bar, plenty of seating (night club set up) and dance floor. Book in advance and come along at 7.15pm for a 45 minute dance class in Balboa, one of the original swing dances of the era. For the main event, just turn up – pay cash at reception – have fun, no booking needed.
Friday 13 September 2024
Theatre: The Merry Wives of Windsor
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: from £12
Wives may be merry, and yet honest too!”
Sir John Falstaff, everyone’s favourite Shakespearean sleazeball, has fallen on hard times. In order to fix his finances he plans to seduce the wives of two wealthy merchants. But, wise to his wily ways, the ladies take the opportunity to punish Falstaff by playing a series of hilarious tricks on the nincompoop knight.
Expect silly slapstick, abundant anachronisms and memorable music nestled amongst Shakespeare’s poignant poetry as the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons put their own innovative and interactive spin on this classic comedy.
Friday 13 September 2024
Live music: Live music by Rouge 92
The Castle, 17 Newnham Street @ 5.30pm – 8pm
Free entry
Jazz Duo singing modern day songs with a jazzy twist as well as some old school jazz classics.
Friday 13 September 2024
Live music: AK/DK + Thick Richard + Max Fulcrum & the Win
Bedford Esquires @ 8pm
Tickets: £12.50
Dynamic Post-Punk Synth alchemists AK/DK will be making their debut at Bedford Esquires in support of their new album ‘Strange Loops’.
Influenced by their love of analogue synthesisers and acts like LCD Soundsystem, Holy F**k and The Prodigy, their live shows are the stuff of legend with appearances at festivals such as End of The Road, Blue Dot, and Green Man cementing their reputation as one of the most thrilling live acts around.
AK/DK’s fourth album, ‘Strange Loops’ sees the band collaborating with guest vocalists for the first time, adding a new dimension to their already rich soundscape. Inspired by iconic albums like Talking Heads’ “Remain In Light”, Bowie’s “Low” and Kate Bush’s “Hounds Of Love”, Strange Loops is a conceptual masterpiece, split into two distinct halves.
Friday 13 September 2024
Comedy: Jeff Innocent: Smart Casual
The Quarry Theatre @ 8pm
Tickets: £20
After a hugely successful first leg, British Comedian of the Year Winner and social media sensation Jeff Innocent is back for the second half of his debut nationwide tour, Smart Casual.
Jeff is bringing his unique and hilarious cultural insights on the road for the first time in a career that has spanned almost three decades and earned him a reputation as one of the greatest living comedians the country has to offer. Highly anticipated and long overdue. This will be an hour of stand-up comedy that you do not want to miss.
Friday 13 September 2024
Live music: Sophia Soul & Matt Bedford
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / bar opens at 6pm
Free entry
The wonderful Sophia Soul is appearing again at The Cellar Bar. Modern-day Diva Sophia has had an outstanding career in live vocals spanning over 14 years. Having previously been the frontwoman for several successful groups and bands, she’s currently taking the UK by storm venturing into her solo career.
Afterwards taking everyone into the small hours is the incredibly talented Matt Bedford, back on stage to perform some classic 80’s songs. Matt hosts the Thursday Karaoke nights, so those of you who have been will have had a glimpse of Matt’s talent. Now it’s time to watch the full show.
Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 September 2024
To Be Continued Convention
Bedford Corn Exchange and Bedford Central Library
Ticket prices vary. Please see website
Some of the top names in storytelling will be in Bedford this weekend as part of a new event to showcase the best in comics, serial fiction and Manga.
To Be Continued (TBC) will take over Bedford Corn Exchange and Bedford Central Library on Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15 September with panels, workshops and signings by internationally known writers and artists.
Organised by the team behind the NICE comic con and Close Encounters on Allhallows, highlights of the convention include appearances by Garth Ennis, writer of The Boys (now a successful TV series), British comics icon John Wagner creator of Judge Dredd and David Hine whose creation Spider-Man Noir was voiced by Nicholas Cage in the Into the Spider-verse movie.
Read more here: The best in comics, serial fiction and Manga at Bedford’s new storytelling convention
Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 September 2024
Children’s Theatre: Anna Hibiscus’ Song
The Place Theatre @ Saturday 5pm / Sunday 11am & 2pm
Tickets: from: £14
This is the story of a young girl named Anna Hibiscus. Anna lives in amazing Africa. Ibadan, Nigeria to be exact.
Anna Hibiscus is so filled with happiness that she feels like she might float away. And the more she talks to her family about it, the more her happiness grows! There’s only one thing to do… sing!
Told through music, dance, puppetry and traditional African storytelling, this theatrical adaptation of Atinuke’s much loved children’s book will have you beaming from ear to ear. For children aged 3+ and their grown-ups.
Saturday 14 September 2024
Community: The Big Bumper Book Sale
The Place Theatre @ 10am
Free entry
Help the Place Theatre by attending their first Big Bumper Book sale in aid of their Raise the Roof campaign. Browse a huge selection of second-hand books including fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.
Pick up a bargain and relax with a cuppa and a piece of cake while you enjoy your latest purchase!
All proceeds go towards their Raise the Roof campaign.
Saturday 14 September 2024
Heritage Open Days: Walking tour
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Road, MK40 3NX @ 1.30pm
Free entry
On Saturday 14 September, Adrian Bean, a long-standing volunteer at the Panacea Museum will share his extensive knowledge about the Panacea Society, its history and its members.
He’ll be drawing on his many years of research, including information he discovered when researching his book, Imagining Eden. The tour begins at 1.30pm and will last approximately 90 minutes. It’s free and there is no need to book.
Saturday 14 September 2024
Live music: Dom Childs – Saxophone Concert & Workshop
St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2PF
Free saxophone workshop @ 2pm – 3.30pm
Performance @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Dom is much in demand as a classical saxophonist and music educator who enjoys a multi-dimensional career. Dom will be joined by Simon Callaghan in piano and Stephen Upshaw on voila.
At 2pm, Dom will be holding a free workshop for saxophonists of any age (Grade 5+). Players will learn from the master during the workshop and are invited to perform as a group in the evening’s concert. See the website for details standrewsbedford.org.
Saturday 14 September 2024
Music: Keith James – The Music of Leonard Cohen
The Place Theatre @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £18
Enigmatic, mysterious and sub textural, songwriter Leonard Cohen was an unflinching character, with an exact sense of prose, wry humour and the courage to wrestle with the unspoken, forgiving human frailty and indulgence with the stroke of each word.
With an undying love of the ‘pure song’ Keith James gives you a concert of Cohen’s amazing material in the most intimate and sensitive way imaginable, exposing the solitary inner strength of his greatest songs in their original perfect form.
Saturday 14 September 2024
Live Music: Megapint? Jacob’s Birthday Bash
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm / bar opens at 6pm / Happy Hour until 9pm / 3am close
Free entry
The guys are back for another regular gig at The Cellar Bar and it’s Jacob’s birthday a few days before so it’s another excuse for a Cellar Bar Party!
The Cellar Bar is so excited to have them play and the good news is that they will be a regular addition to the venue’s schedule during 2025. For those that don’t know – expect musical excellence mixed with a wonderfully curated list of rock/pop classics.
Saturday 14 September 2024
Live music: Peter Bruntnell Band with Support from Small Town Jones
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
“Peter Bruntnell has a remarkable knack for turning out big, dreamy, melodic, memorable songs” – MOJO
“His songs are warm and beautifully radiant” – Uncut
“One of the finest songwriters in Britain” – The Independent
“One of England’s best kept musical secrets” – Rolling Stone
Sunday 15 September 2024
Walking: “The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the gold postbox in St Paul’s Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
The Norman Conquest of Britain witnessed the introduction of castles to the landscape and in Bedford, a major castle was built in the 12th century. Walk through the old castle grounds, see the mound on which it once stood and hear the story of the castle and its demise in the siege of 1224. This year witnesses the 800th anniversary of the Great Siege of Bedford Castle in 1224.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Sunday 15 September 2024
Live music: U18’s Open Mic
The Cellar Bar @ 5pm – 7.00pm / bar opens at 3pm
Free entry
The Cellar Bar is throwing its doors open to the next generation of Bedford musicians, with a dedicated junior open mic session for under 18s.
Whether you sing, play guitar, drums, or any other musical instrument, or are a band already, you are welcome to take part. It’s a chance for you to perform on a stage in front of an audience with a full pa, drum kit, amps, lighting.
Hosted by none other than Mat Roberts, Mat will be on hand to offer support and advice, as well as doing a few jam sessions of his own.
Under 18’s are welcome in the bar from 5.00pm until 9.00pm on Sundays for Junior Open Mic.
At the Higgins Bedford
Exhibition: Rediscovering Black Portraiture
The Higgins Bedford
Free entry
The newest exhibition at the Higgins began as a diversionary lockdown project in 2020 and can now be seen at Kensington Palace, the Bodeian Library in Oxford and now in Bedford.
It features the work of Manchester-born professional opera singer, Peter Brathwaite, who has lived in the Black Tom area of Bedford since 2018.
With all his singing work cancelled during the pandemic, Peter began looking for an outlet for his creative talents and started recreating famous and lesser-known Black portraiture paintings using as props whatever he could find around his house.
It was inspired by the Getty Foundation’s lockdown project, but quickly took on a life of its own, gathering a large international online following. You can explore the project at his Instagram page @peter_brathwaite.
And from Saturday, 18 May, they will form part of an installation at the Higgins Bedford which will lead visitors through the main collections and into Cecil Higgins’ house, with Peter’s interpretation of The Paston Treasure at its heart.
Read: ‘Rediscovering Black Portraiture’ at the Higgins Bedford this May
Exhibition: Edward Bawden & Me
The Higgins Bedford until
Free entry
Brand new work by some of the biggest names in contemporary British art, illustration and textiles are on display at an exhibition at the Higgins Bedford in celebration of the work of one of Britain’s most inventive and influential artists
Entitled Edward Bawden & Me, the exhibition has been curated by Bawden’s good friend, illustrator and printmaker, Chris Brown and also features work by local artists’ collective, the Circus of Illustration.
Read: Star-studded new Edward Bawden exhibition opens at the Higgins Bedford
You can also read the full article in the February issue of The Bedford Clanger.
At the Panacea Museum
Exhibition: ‘Panacea: A Cure for All Ills’
Thursday – Sunday @ 10am – 5pm
Free entry
The current exhibition at the fascinating Panacea Museum explores the ministry which gave the Panacea Society its name.
Originally titled ‘The Community of the Holy Ghost’, their more famous name came later, connected with their international Healing offer. The Society sent out linen squares, blessed by their leader Octavia, these were placed in water to make a therapeutic elixir.
This exhibition explains the origins of the Healing, how it became so well-known, and why it finally ended.
Entry to the museum and exhibition is free. More information about visiting the museum can be found on their website here.
Every Thursday
Cocktails, Quiz Night & Karaoke
The Cellar Bar from 5.00pm
Pit your wits against The Cellar Bar’s resident quizmaster to see if you can win the jackpot every Thursday from 8pm. £2 per person entry and a maximum of six per team. The winning team will win the jackpot PLUS a round of shots. Followed by Karaoke til close
Every Saturday
Food & drink: Cocktail mixology masterclass
The Cellar Bar @ 3pm / doors open at 12 noon
£30 per person
The Cellar Bar’s resident mixologist, Marley, will explain how to create some outstanding cocktails for your tasting enjoyment. Then, it’s your turn to put what you’ve learned into practice by making (and drinking) three cocktails!
Every Sunday
Live Music: Open Mic Night
The Cellar Bar @ 7.30pm
Free Entry
Every Sunday, join Mat Roberts for the Cellar Bar’s weekly Open Mic night. An opportunity for new and experienced performers to get up on stage and perform.
So whether you think you are the next Tom Grennan or just want a good night of entertainment, head the to Cellar Bar from 7.30pm.
Theatre highlights by Paula Walker
