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.
Friday 30 August 2024
Live music: Tragedy – All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees & Beyond
Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £20
Tragedy takes disco, soft-rock and pop classics, and completely reimagines them as glorious, red-hot heavy metal. They’re sure to get your head bangin’, your booty shakin’ – and put a smile on your face and your fist in the air. Tragedy does not lazily rely on the concept or “the joke”. The band plunges deep – blazing musicianship, tantalizing riffs and stunning vocals. All except for Lance the towelboy. He’s just an idiot.
Friday 30 August 2024
Live music:Megapint?
The Cellar Bar at 8.30pm / bar opens at 6pm
Free entry
After nearly 12 months, Megapint? have decided to reform with a brand-new line-up and TheCellar Bar are delighted to have them play their first gig with them.
Expect musical excellence mixed with a wonderfully curated list of rock/pop classics.
Saturday 31 August 2024
Walk: Mental Health Mates Bedford – Walk & Talk Meet Up
The Pavilion, Bedford Park @11am
Free to attend
Mental Health Mates (MHM) is a peer support group set up by journalist, author and mental health advocate Bryony Gordon in 2016. There are now over 100 MHM groups across the UK, including here in Bedford
The MHM walks in Bedford take place on the final Saturday of each month, meeting at The Pavilion At The Park and finishing back there afterwards for an optional drink and chat.
The walks are free to attend and just turn up to, you can talk as much or as little as you wish about anything, and everyone is welcome regardless of diagnosis or not.
Saturday 31 September 2024
Film: Sundown Cinema presents – Wonka
Russel Park @ 2pm
Tickets: see website for details
This prequel to the Roald Dahl classic sees Timothée Chalamet singing and dancing his way into the titular role. With dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers.
Saturday 31 August 2024
Comedy: Joe Avati – When I Was Your Age
Bedford Corn Exchange @ 8pm
Tickets: £27.50
In Joe Avanti’s new show, he Australian comedian tackles the ‘then versus now’ generational differences of today’s children, the complexities of modern-day parenting compared to the strict upbringing of yesteryear. His observations are not only deadly accurate but extremely relatable to all ages.
This is a show for all the family. Bring your kids so they know what it was like when you weretheirage, bring your parents to highlight how much they have changed since theywereyour age and bring your friends to laugh and reminisce about growing up as teenagers when you werethatage.
Saturday 31 August 2024
Film: Sundown Cinema presents Dirty Dancing (12)
Russell Park @ 8pm
Tickets: see website for details
Including the immortal lines “I carried a watermelon” and “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” this 1987 classic follows a family’s summer at a Catskills resort when Frances “Baby” Houseman falls in love with the camp’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle.
Saturday 31 August 2024
Live music: Double header – Last Laugh Lane + Cameo
The Cellar Bar @ 8.30pm
Free entry
Last Laugh Lane return to The Cellar Bar playing classic throwback indie anthems of the 2000s from The Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, Kings of Leon and more. In addition, Cameo will be performing classic rock/pop songs from Dolly Parton to Fleetwood Mac to The Red Hot Chili Peppers and so much in between.
Sunday 1 September 2024
Walking: “Bedford in WWII” 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)
A walk that reveals the way of life in Bedford and some of the little-known facts about the role it played during World War II. Learn how Bedford became the main hub of the BBC during the war and how it also became a centre of wartime entertainment. Discover a ‘secret’ Bedford and the connections of the town to the code breakers at Bletchley park.
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 1 September 2024
Live music: The Esquires Sunday Afternoon Beatle Jam
Bedford Esquires @ 5pm – 8pm
Free entry
It’s that time of year again, when Esquires’ Sunday afternoon session pays tribute to John, Paul, George and Ringo. Many of the town’s top acts are lined up to perform and there’s still time for you to take part.
If you’d like to perform a Fab Four tribute, e-mail Mat Roberts on matrobertsmusic@aol.com
Sunday 1 September 2024
Live music:Sunday Afternoon Chillout – The Black & Gold
The Cellar Bar @ 5pm til 7pm / bar opens at 3pm / Happy Hour 3pm – 9pm
Free entry
The Black & Gold return, this time for the Sunday Chillout Session.
They played their first full gig ever at The Cellar Bar on St Patrick’s Day last year. Fronted by Rich Taylor on guitar and vocals with Samantha Hughes (banjo/vocals), Mary Wilco*ckson (fiddle), James Lewin (drums), Dan McGrath (harmonica), playing songs by The Pogues, The Dubliners, American-Irish and upbeat trad tunes. Why not book the afternoon tea in advance and make an afternoon and evening of it?
Sunday 1 September 2024
Live music: Sunday Afternoon Jazz with Jazz Trio ‘Double Standard
The Castle, 17 Newnham Street @ 5.30pm – 8pm
Free entry
Double Standards Jazz Trio will be performing a mix of favourite standards and the odd original from pianist Ryan McCaffrey’s Cong-Fusion, this aims to be an entertaining early evening of jazz featuring the delights of the masterful Jeremy Brown on double bass and jazz royalty Clark Tracey on kit.
Wednesday 4 September 2024
Walking: “Tales of the Tower and the Steeple” 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)
St Paul’s and St Peter’s churches have a fascinating history and many stories to tell. Join us on a brief tour of each church and discover why they have played such an important and integral part in the development and the history of the town itself.
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.
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
Walking festival: Wilstead walk
Wilstead MK45 3DY @ 13:30pm
A six-mile walk with good views of Bedford and Cardington.
Sunday 8 September
Walking festival: Old Warden walk
Old Warden Church SG18 9HD @ 1.30pm
Pleasant 5.5 mile walk through woods to Cople and back.
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
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
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. Freeglow 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 thiswonderfully witty Wilde play about public and private honour.
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
co*cktails, 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: co*cktail 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 co*cktails for your tasting enjoyment. Then, it’s your turn to put what you’ve learned into practice by making (and drinking) three co*cktails!
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
