THE BEDFORD

CLANGER

By Katie Allen. katieallen-illustration.com

AN AUDIENCE WITH
FATHER CHRISTMAS
Weekends Sat 5 Sun 20 December
10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm
Registered charity no. 1140351 (England).
Registered company no. 07447221 (England).

NOVEMBER 2015

THE BEDFORD CLANGER 

LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR

NOVEMBER 2015

TH E
C L A NG E R

F
NEWS IN BRIE

CELEBRATE BEDFORDSHIRE!

This months theme is Small yet Mighty and

were celebrating the beauty and importance of
small businesses.
From the independent butchers, bike shops and
book sellers to the gallery owners and graphic
designers, antique restorers and administrators small
businesses contribute a huge amount to the economy
and help keep our town unique. You can join in the
celebration on Saturday 5 December, when the whole
nation will be focused on Small Business Saturday.
Our area is fortunate to have two of the Small Biz
100 businesses represented. Read all about them
on page three and about other small yet mighty
businesses in Bedford on page 11.
Theres plenty of cultural stuff on this month too,
so check out our theatre and music pages (including an interview with former Jam member,
Bruce Foxton) plus our Pick of the Month on pages 6 and 7. See you next month!
Erica & Team Clanger

This month is the inaugural celebration of Bedfordshire

Day, a day to instil pride in the people of our fine county
and to celebrate its beauty and its virtues. The date was
decided by a public vote and 28th November was the
clear winner. The date is the anniversary of the birth of
John Bunyan; Methodist preacher, author of A Pilgrims
Progress and well known historic figure of Bedfordshire.
We are hoping that people across the county will fly
the county flag (pictured), bake Bedfordshire Clangers
and organise events and parties, said Luke Blackstaffe,
of the Friends of Bedforshire Society. Over time we
hope it will gain enough momentum that we dont need
to promote it and that locally everyone will know that
28th November is Bedfordshire Day, in the same way
everyone knows the date of St. Georges day.
Throughout the county there are events planned, including a Bedfordshire Best beer, brewed for the occasion by the Leighton
Buzzard Brewery. Flags will be displayed across the county and parish and community groups have pledged their involvement.
If you would like to take part, find the Friends of Bedforshire Society on Facebook, follow them on twitter
@FriendsofBeds or go to their website: friendsofbedfordshire.org.uk. Happy Bedfordshire Day!

THIS MONTHS BEDFORD

CLANGER WAS BROUGHT
TO YOU BY:
Editor: Erica Roffe @bedfordclanger
thebedfordclanger@gmail.com
Graphics: Adam Boreham www.reactionvm.co.uk
adam@reactionvm.co.uk
Advertising: Julia Crofts @ClangerAds
bedfordclangerads@gmail.com
Cover illustration: Katie Allen

WINDOW WANDERLAND, THE MAGICAL

WALKING TRAIL LIGHTS UP BLACK TOM
ON 5TH DECEMBER
Imagine walking around your streets at night and seeing your neighbourhood
in a whole new light. Window Wanderland is a fun community project that
began in Bristol in February and Black Tom in Bedford will become the
second location to host this de-light-ful event.
Window Wanderland invites all residents of Black Tom to make displays in
their windows or gardens that will then form a magical trail which can be explored
by the whole community. What goes into the displays is totally up to you: from
a string of fairy lights to a band playing in the living room, from simple to
spectacular: as long as its family friendly, anything goes.
Window Wanderland was created in Bristol by Lucy Reeves, a mum, artist and
nosy parker who invited her neighbourhood to create a Wanderland in February
2015. The response was a huge success with thousands of people exploring the
streets on a cold night creating a festive atmosphere.
The results were fantastic. We had displays made by schools, grandparents,

even pets! It was a proper community event and some roads had almost every
house participating, using campervans, top floor windows and even decorating
hedges with lights. It was such a fun night out that I am over the moon that Katrina
contacted me for Black Tom to share the experience.
Local organiser Katrina Allen contacted Lucy after organising Bedfords first
Jumble Trail over the summer. The Window Wanderland is a fabulous way
for the whole area to take part in something creative, said Kat. There is great
community spirit in Black Tom and we look forward to welcoming people from
all over Bedford to our seasonal Window Wanderland. Want to take part? Then
check out the display ideas on the website at windowwanderland.com, including a
short film of the event or find Window Wanderland on Facebook and Pinterest.
As always, Black Toms Burnaby Arms on Stanley Street will be open before
and after, serving up mulled wine alongside their usual tipples.

katieallenillustration.wordpress.com
Photography: Graham Watson @grahamcreative
Great Bedfordian contributor: David Fowler
Theatre: Paula Walker @pauliwauli2
Musos: Lloyd Lugsden @lloydlug
Film Buff: Paul Hutchinson @Hutch_PR
Gardening guru: Jane Perrone
@janeperrone perrone.blogs.com
Columnists: Neil Frankel @riversidebeds
riversidetennisbedford.co.uk. Kristine Wilkinson-Hughes
The Last Word: Reverend Sharon Grenham-Thompson
@glamvicar
Disco Draws: Katie Allen

Christmas Lights Switch On

Thursday 26th November 2015
The Embankment, Bedford, from 7pm
Dont be put off by a cold November night... wrap up warm, bring the family along
and be amazed at the dazzling celebration of seasonal fire and light set to festive music...
...a fantastic beginning to Bedfords Christmas events!
For more information:
Phone: 01234 718044

Email: events@bedford.gov.uk

Web: www.bedford.gov.uk

Web: www.christmasinbedford.co.uk

WHAT A GREAT EXCUSE FOR SOME WINDOW SNOOPING!

THE BEDFORD CLANGER 

NOVEMBER 2015

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL
CELEBRATE SMALL
BUSINESS SATURDAY

TH E
C L A NG E R

COVER FEA
TU

RE

On Saturday 5th December, the whole of the UK will be celebrating Small Business Saturday.
Town centres will be encouraging visitors to shop local and use independent retailers
in lieu of larger corporations. Money spent in independent businesses is more likely to
remain in the local economy, so as a town, we all benefit from the success of our small but
perfectly formed businesses! Its not just retailers thought. #SmallBizSat is a day when all
small business owners will be tooting their trumpets and sharing their skills and expertise.
The Small Business Saturday 100 are businesses that the SBS
organisers believe demonstrate the diversity of the small business
sector, covering everything from app designing to brewing. Here in
Bedfordshire we are fortunate to have two such businesses: Golden
Hare Gallery in Ampthill who has been selected this year and Agile
Admin in Linslade who represented Bedfordshire last year. We
asked Laura and Cathy what it means to be part of the Small Biz
100 and why its important to champion small businesses.

The campaign is open to anyone with a small business, whether

it is a family business, local shop, online business, wholesaler,
business service or small manufacturer. There is still time to sign
up to take part, the day itself is a fantastic way to remind people
to shop small and support small businesses, and its great to be
involved with such a high profile successful campaign.

LAURA WHITE, OWNER AND

CURATOR AT GOLDEN HAIR
GALLERY

The objective of Agile Admin is very simple; we provide

businesses with virtual administration services from social media
management and general marketing services, to fundraising and
project management.
As the name suggests, being flexible is one of our key aims,
therefore we are as happy to work on adhoc one off projects as we
are to become involved in longer term contracts.
I entered Small Business Saturday in July 2014 and was very
fortunate to have been selected as one of the SmallBiz100, just
like Golden Hare Gallery has been this year.
My business was profiled across all social media channels
via SBS which gave huge publicity and led to me being invited
to a reception at Downing Street hosted by George Osbourne.
Earlier this year I was very privileged to be asked to become one
of 20 SBS Champions. Throughout the year I have taken part
in various collaborations with SBS, including being in a short
promotional film as well as other marketing initiatives.
It has been great to be able to champion small businesses and
start-ups through my connection with Small Business Saturday
and Im thrilled to be part of the celebrations again this year.
Contact Cathy: tel: 07772 733349
agileadmin.com @AAVirtualAssist

It is such an honour to be picked this year as one of Small

Business Saturdays #smallbiz100. Over 5 million small
businesses take part in the day and each business is invited
to apply to be part of the 100 selected businesses, so you can
imagine how surprised I was when I received the email saying
that Golden Hare Gallery had been chosen
The application process was an easy one, you just sign up to
take part in the Small Business Saturday event on 5th December,
fill in an application form and make a short film. Luckily I had
already planned to shoot a short film about the gallery for the
website so it was a good incentive to get this finished.
The coverage the gallery has received since becoming one of
the 100 small businesses taking part in this years #smallbiz100
has been fantastic, there were local press releases and a whole
day dedicated to promoting the gallery on all the Small Business
Saturdays social media channels, with a reach of around 50,000
people. The film I made about the gallery was watched over 4000
times since launching it on the #smallbiz100 day dedicated to
Golden Hare Gallery. goldenhare.co.uk

CATHY WRIGHT,
OWNER OF AGILE ADMIN

Cathy Wright at No.10

MONDAY NIGHT IS QUIZ NIGHT AT

Alternating between Steves Brain Taxer or

The all new, exciting Smartphone quiz!

Only 2 per person. Starts 8pm.

Will you win the cash or the wooden spoon?!
GRAB
SOME FRIENDS
AND GET
A TEAM
TOGETHER!

TO FIND OUT MORE

Check out Facebook for full details

Facebook.com/theburnabyarmsbedford

66 Stanley Street | Bedford | Beds | MK41 7RU | 01234 330056

Real ales pies & toasties bar games music courtyard garden

Laura White

JOURNEYS END
Wed 11 - Fri 13 November
7.30PM (& 2.30pm 13 Nov)
Ticket price
7.50
(5 concessions)

Age suitability
11+
Running time
120 mins + interval

Performed by the pupils of

Bedford School, Journeys
End is an unflinching portrayal
of men facing the unbearable
but finding the camaraderie
to keep on fighting.
This amateur production is
performed by arrangement
with Samuel French.

The Quarry Theatre at St Lukes is part of Bedford School, which is part of The Harpur Trust

HOORAY FOR SMALL BUSINESS!

Box office
01234 362337
quarrytheatre.org.uk

THE BEDFORD CLANGER 

NOVEMBER 2015
TH
CL A N E
GE R

HERES OUR ROUND-UP OF THIS

TH E
MONTHS THEATRE CHOICES,
HAND-PICKED BY THE CLANGERS
PAULA WALKER. CHECK OUT
THE WEBSITES OF EACH OF THE
THEATRES TO FIND OUT WHAT ELSE
IS ON THIS NOVEMBER.

TH E A

TRE

THE QUARRY AT ST LUKES

HOUSE PRESENTS DISCO PIGS

Thursday 26 November 7.30pm Tickets: 10 (concessions 8). Age Guidance: 14+

Born seconds apart, Darren and Sinead, aka Pig and Runt, live in a fantasy world all of
their own in Cork City. Trash TV, Disco beats and a load of cheap booze have fuelled
this obsessive friendship, but as they go for their 17th birthday binge, reality violently
collides with their fantasy and their world begins to crumble.
Disco Pigs is a furious, funny and violent dash through a lifelong friendship at the
moment of its savage destruction. This production first played a sell out extended run at
the Young Vic Theatre in 2011.
quarrytheatre.org.uk or call 01234 362337

THE PLACE THEATRE

THEATRE
IN TRANSIT
PRESENTS THE
REVENGERS
TRAGEDY
Wednesday 4th Saturday and 7th
November 7.30pm. Tickets: 8
(Concessions 6). Age Guidance: 14+
Vindice, incensed by the deaths of both his fiance and father, vows to take
revenge on the members of the seemingly infallible ruling class. These
actions begin a chain of events that lead him towards his own, dark fate.
www.theplacebedford.org or call 01234 354321

HOTBUCKLE PRESENT
EMMA
Tuesday 11th November 7.30pm
Tickets: 10 (Concessions 8.50). Age Guidance: 13+
Emma Woodhouse, Jane Austens eponymous heroine, is handsome, clever
and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition. Shes also a bit
of a meddler. After her governess is married to the kindly Mr Weston (at
Emmas instigation of course), Miss Woodhouses path in life is clear: she
must become a matchmaker. But as her interfering gets out of hand and
events spiral beyond her control, it may be time for Emma to question her
judgement. Can she untangle the web shes spun? And what does she truly
know of her own heart?
www.theplacebedford.org or call 01234 354321

BLAST FROM THE PAST

PRESENT A BRIEF HISTORY
OF MUSIC
Thursday 12th November 1.30pm & 7.30pm
Tickets: 10 (Concessions 8)
Beginning in the Middle Ages and ending up in the 20th century - this is a
whistle-stop tour of Western musical history. Uses tunes, songs and humour
to take you on a six-hundred year musical journey, which combines the
vigour of the medieval period, the musical intricacy of the Renaissance, the
grandeur of the Baroque and the pomp and bombast of the Victorian era.
www.theplacebedford.org or call 01234 354321

JAMES SEABRIGHT AND

CLIMAR PRODUCTIONS
PRESENT ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE

Saturday 28 November 7.30pm Tickets: 12 (Concessions 10). Age Guidance: 12+

Who can fail to love this inspiring story of idealist George Bailey, whose dreams look set
to be dashed by small-town scandal and big business? Alone on a bridge, he decides that
everyone would be better off without him or would they? It falls to hapless guardian
angel, Clarence, to try and save him. In a new production that premiered to excellent
reviews in London last year, the magical story of Frank Capras iconic film is retold as a
radio play, complete with sound effects, created live on stage. This loving tribute to the
golden era of the wireless is a fresh take on a heartwarming and timely classic.
quarrytheatre.org.uk or call 01234 362337

THE PANTALOONS
PRESENT MACBETH
Saturday 14th November
7.30pm. Tickets: 12
(Concessions 10).
Age guidance: 14+
This is not a story for the
faint-hearted. Its the story
of how old King Duncan
died. Its a story of murder
and betrayal. Its a story of
supernatural sorcery. And
its a story thats going to be
retold, as youve never seen
it before... Taking their cues
from film noir, gangland
Britain and the clowning
tradition (yes, really)
the critically acclaimed
Pantaloons Theatre
Company put their own
contemporary spin on Shakespeares most dangerous play. Tragic and
hilarious in equal measures, this innovative take on The Scottish Play
features femmes fatales, high-speed chases, killer lines, killer crimes and
some seriously weird sisters.
www.theplacebedford.org or call 01234 354321

THE SHARNBROOK
MILL THEATRE
PRESENTS PARADE

Monday 16th to Saturday

21st November. 7.30 pm.
Tickets: 11
The heart-wrenching, true
tale of Leo Frank, a Jewish
factory owner living in
Atlanta, Georgia USA who
was wrongfully convicted of
the rape and murder of his 13
year old employee, the story
behind Parade, was headline
news one hundred years ago.
Parade deals with the
Souths propensity in the early
20th Century for handing out
rough justice to its black population. From the haunting opening
number, a rich, tuneful score underpins a poignant narrative
with a bold willingness to expose the complexities of social
relationships in the southern states of the USA.
www.sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.uk , 01234 718044
or in person from Twinkle Twinkle Boutique,
High Street, Sharnbrook.

OH... I LOVE THE SCOTTISH PLAY.

THE BEDFORD CLANGER 

NOVEMBER 2015

TH E R
E
C L A NG

H YEAH!
O
.
.
.
C
I
S
MU

THE PHILHARMONIA
ORCHESTRA

The Philharmonia Orchestra, under Joshua Weilerstein, comes to the

Bedford Corn Exchange this month. The performance sees Griegs
towering Piano Concerto sit alongside Tchaikovskys tragically
beautiful symphonic fantasy. A tale of love, loss and revenge inspired
by the ill-fated beauty of Dantes Divine Comedy, Francesca da
Rimini, who fell in love with the brother of her cruel husband only
to both be condemned to hell, forever tormented by the memory of
the joys they had shared in life. Pianist Denis Kozhukhin joins the
orchestra in Griegs towering Piano Concerto, whilst Nielsen and
Sibelius also feature. Tickets - 14-35, at 01234 718 044 or
bedfordcornexchange.co.uk

THE SCRUFF/ VIOLA BEACH/

HOT MESS/ THE SHTOOKS

FROM THE JAM

FEATURING BASSIST BRUCE FOXTON, FROM THE JAM
RETURN TO BEDFORD CORN EXCHANGE, THIS TIME
PLAYING THEIR CLASSIC ALBUM SOUND AFFECTS IN
ITS ENTIRETY, PLUS OTHER HITS. WE SPOKE TO BRUCE
PRIOR TO HIS RETURN TO BEDFORD...
Bedford Clanger: Getting to know Bedford
well now?
Bruce Prior: Yes, this is the 4th time now? Bedford
Corn Exchange was memorable, a good crowd,
though Ive been touring so long some places and
venues merge, or you forget until you go back there.
C: How did the Jam exhibition go at Somerset
House?
B: Yeah, good. Ive been a couple of times, with Paul,
the first time was the premier, with lots of interviews
and publicity, so i didnt get a chance to have a look!
Good to get to see the exhibition second time, seeing
things that I wouldnt of seen when I was in The Jam,
Pauls school reports for example
C: Hows the new album going?
B: Smash the Clock (good title) is going well and
nearly finished, is due out in March. Weve got Russell
Hastings on vocals plus guest appearances from Paul
Jones (Manfred Mann), Wilco Johnson and Paul Weller,
when he can fit us in, hes a busy lad ! It was a pledge...
with the fans and were 95% there, so thats great.
C: What is it thats so enduring about the mod scene ?
B: Not just the music but the clothes - thats a big
thing, though youve got to be careful when you get
older, you dont wanna be mutton dressed as lamb!
Gigs were big social events, places for like minded
people to meet up and connect. Our gigs now a great
mix of ages, from the young ones to old farts like me!

C: What do you know about David Watts (a Kinks

song the Jam covered that Bruce did vocals for)?
B: Maybe you should ask Ray Davies that! As far as I
know, its a schoolboy rival whos good at everything
and who Ray aspired to maybe?

The Scruff return to headline Bedford Esquires on Friday

6 November for the launch of new single Chin Up which
will be released on Monday November 9th. Support on the
night comes from recently BBC playlisted Viola Beach,
Luton-based Hot Mess and Bedfords very own The
Shtooks. Tickets are 5 in advance and are available
online from seetickets.com or can be purchased from
Boutique Planet and Dannys Bar at Esquires.

THE TOTAL STONE ROSES + GUESTS

Saturday 21st November at Esquires, Bedford

The Total Stone Roses are the ultimate Roses tribute band, playing
a 90min set of all of the bands best material including She Bangs
The Drums, Fools Gold, Waterfall, I Wanna Be Adored and
Love Spreads. The band members are all in their early to mid
20s, bringing the same passion, vigor, arrogance and charisma that
epitomises the Madchester scene of the late 80s and early 90s.
Tickets on sale from seetickets.com/event/the-total-stone-roses/
bedford-esquires-bedford/867762. Also available from Esquires
bar, Marios Hair Design, Kempston and Boutique Planet, The
Arcade, Bedford.

C: Do you worry about the scissor kicks now days ?

B: Ha, well you have to be a bit more careful but when
youre playing, you get into it and you give it! Tom,
our keyboardist is 25 and I, going for it the same as
him! I did have cartilage problems with my knee land on the left foot!
C: Fave song on Sound Affects?
B: Well the popular ones are Start and Thats
Entertainment, though Man in the Cornershop goes
down well too, as does Pretty Green. Its a solid album
although its only about 34 minutes long. Though when
we tour the album we play over an hour doing other
singles and album tracks.
C: Most interesting country youve played?
B: Weve recently toured Australia, which was
fantastic, a big demand for us there plus Singapore,
which I hadnt been to before.
C: And finally, a bit daft this, Favourite flavour Jam?
B: Yep, thats a bit daft. Strawberry.
From The Jam play Bedford Corn Exchange,
Saturday 5th December. Tickets from
www.thepadpresents.com, Bedford Corn
Exchange or Marios Barbers in Kempston.

THE PAD PRESENTS DIRT BOX DISCO + SPECIAL

GUESTS: SICK ON THE BUS + THE TENDONS

Want to kick the winter blues into touch? Then

head to Esquires for The Pad Presents mini
punk fest. Headlining are DIRT BOX DISCO.
From filling the main room at Rebellion Festival
to giving Stiff Little Fingers a run for their
money at Bedford Corn Exchange late last year,
this will be DBDs debut Esquires show. Supporting, SICK ON THE BUS make a welcome return to
Esquires and play the main stage for the first time in 10 years. No line up would be complete without
The Tendons barging in on the bill plus a further two bands are set to open up the five band bill.
Tickets are 8 in advance from seetickets,com or in person from Dannys Bar at Esquires,
Boutique Planet or Marios Hair Design in Kempston.

Antique Furniture Restoration

Showroom open: Mon-Fri 9-5pm
Book your own shopping and styling evening with me! Earn amazing free jewels
and accessories while getting the advise of your own personal stylist!
Book your Stella&Dot styling party and enjoy a fun filled fun evening with your
friends and family!

Would you like to be your own boss? Work flexible hours along side other job
or around the family commitments? Contact me for an immediate start!
Earn extra income from day one!
I am looking for new Stylists NOW!
Contact me NOW for more information! Mafalda Clewlow 07967049638
Find out more on www.stelladot.co.uk/mafaldalclewlow

WERE SO READY TO ROCK OUT!

Antiques Fair: 10-5pm each day

Friday 27 Nov & Saturday 28 Nov
www.williamsantiques.co.uk
th

th

1 Hampshire Buildings, School Lane,

Colmworth, Bedford. MK44 2JZ
01234 378866

THE BEDFORD CLANGER 

NOVEMBER 2015

THE NIGHTS MIGHT BE DRAWING IN

THE
AND THE MERCURYS PLUMMETING CLANGER
PICK OF THE MONTH
BUT HERES NOVEMBERS PICK
OF THE MONTH TO CHEER YOU UP!
OUSE MUSE
PRESENT: BEDSLAM! MAGNIFICENT TURNERS

BRIDIE JACKSON
AND THE ARBOUR
SATURDAY 5TH DECEMBER 8PM
TICKETS: 10 ADVANCE 12 DOOR
theplacebedford.org.uk/tickets
01234 354321

Frank Auerbach

TP Clanger 104x104mm BIRDIE Advert.indd 1

16/10/2015

A Gilbert Lloyd Lecture by

William Feaver
Thursday 12 November 2015
7.30pm
The Great Hall, Bedford School
Admission Free

JOIN THE R101

COMMEMORATION
AT SHUTTLEWORTH

Every Monday evening for the past

12 years William Feaver has sat for
Frank Auerbach and, coinciding
with Auerbachs exhibition at
Tate Britain, he will discuss what
it is like to sit and watch, over so
many years, the way he works.
Bedford Leisure Centres are proud
to support the 2014 Sports Awards
Bedford School is part of the Harpur Trust

Claim your free day pass now at

fusion-lifestyle.com/freetrial

Do you know a
local sporting hero?

Bedford Sports Awards 2015

Now is the time to make your nominations for this years
most prestigious awards
Sports Personality of the Year
(Adult)
Sports Personality of the Year
(17 or under)
Sports Club of the Year
Sports Team of the Year
Sporting School of the Year
Sports Coach of the Year

Have you ever been to a poetry slam? Do you want to

take part in one? Slam has been the breeding ground of
the new generation of spoken word performers, such as
the marvellous Kate Tempest and George the Poet. In
a slam each competitor has a limited amount of time to
perform at their verbal maximum. Poems can be funny
or sad or angry and often all three.
Slam is coming to Bedford in November. The
competitor who impresses the audience and judges
most will be crowned BedSlam champion 2015 and
take home a 50 prize. If youd like to take part
there are a maximum of 10 slammer places, with
preference given to entrants from Bedford. BedSlam is
on Friday 13th November from 7.30pm at The Place.
The evening will be also feature guest performances
from two spoken word artists of national repute, Mark
12:46
Niel and Lee Nelson. Mark is a regular radio guest,
performer, slam winner and was Poet-in-Residence
to the MK Dons 2012/13. Lee is one of the founders
of Utter spoken word, a regular Edinburgh Fringe
and Glastonbury performer and our compere for
the evening. Tickets for the audience are 5 from
theplacebedford.org.uk. Competitor tickets are 2.
For further information contact
ian.mcewen@ntlworld.com

Sports Administrator/
Club Person of the Year
Disability Sports Award*
Rising Star Award
Outstanding Achiever Award
Young Sports Volunteer
of the Year

2015 marks the 85th anniversary of the crash of

the British airship R101. Designed and built in
Bedfordshire, the R101 was the worlds largest
flying aircraft. It was planned to revolutionise
air travel, by providing first class comfort across
long-distance flights. However, the airship crashed
on its maiden passenger flight and ended the
British airship dream.
The Shuttleworth Collection 2015 Aviation
Lecture will look at how the Imperial Airship
scheme developed, as well as explore the design and
construction of the R101 and its successful sister the
R100. At the end of the day, our speakers will reflect
on the lasting legacy of the airship programme.
Cost: 37. For more information, visit
shuttleworth.org/events/lecture2015/

ON OUR DOORSTEP

The first exhibit of nine Turner watercolours owned by The Higgins will be
on display until April 2016. We asked local business owner, Mike Cryer to
give us his verdict:
I was lucky to have attended the preview evening of the current Turner
exhibition at The Higgins. For the first time, nine of the Higgins collection
of watercolours by JMW Turner are on display, along with a selection of
other watercolours by artists who influenced him, were his contemporaries
and who followed in his footsteps. The showpiece of the collection being
the Great Falls of Reichenbach painted in 1804 as an example of how
watercolours could compete with oils for impact and scale. A large piece, it
skilfully captures the light and perspective of the scene of final showdown of
Sherlock Homes and Moriarty.
The nine Turners span his entire professional life, from an early piece
completed when he was 16 to periods in his later, experimental life. Seeing
these pieces close up in very sympathetic lighting and viewing conditions
was a complete thrill. I visited the Late Turner exhibition at The Tate this
year, and while not of the same scope there was nothing to take away from
the Higgins Turners and seeing the well curated ancillary paintings from the
Higgins collection, which complimented the display of Turners, certainly
added to the overall enjoyment.
For a local museum, these Turners are really World Class, and with the
other paintings on display from the likes of Edward Dayes, Thomas Hearne,
John Sell Cotman, and Thomas Girtin, this is an exhibition not to be missed.
Given that you can also pop into the Bawden Room and see his Book
Illustrations until January 2016 theres a lot to see at The Higgins at the
moment and its well worth making the effort to visit.
Mike Cryer is MD of EMC Design Ltd, Oakley. emcdesign.org.uk

LEMON & GINGER

If youre of a crafty persuasion and are free on a Monday morning, Lemon

and Ginger would like to invite you to join their weekly knitting/crocheting/
sewing sessions. We meet every Monday at 10am at Pavilion at the Park, said
co-founder Laura Holmes. Were currently taking part in Innocents big knit,
raising money for Age UK and are also having a tree at the St Pauls Christmas
Tree Festival. Please feel free to come along to take part!
Sounds great, but whys it called Lemon & Ginger? Im lemon cos Im blonde,
said Laura. And co-founder Emma is ginger cos shes, well, ginger! Ha!
Artists Network Bedford Christmas Art Show
This month, the Artists Network Bedford will be holding their Christmas
Art Show at Parkside Hall, Ampthill on 14th and 15th November. There will be
something for everyone with prices from 2 for greetings cards up to original
pieces of art priced between 50 - 500. Work on display will include ceramics,
fine art, crafts, art prints and sculpture.
Over 50 Bedfordshire artists will be displaying their wares, and you can find
examples of their work at the ANB website artsnetbeds.org.uk.

(* This award is now only for sports people /

performers with a disability)

Nominate NOW
Online: visit www.bedford.gov.uk/sportsawards
By post: forms available at Leisure Facilities across the Borough,
or from Borough Hall or the Customer Service Centre.
For more information or advice, please call 01234 718827
AS127_15 design@bedford.gov.uk

The deadline for the

return of nomination
forms is Wednesday 18th
November 2015 at 1pm
www.bedford.gov.uk

IM OFF TO GET WOOL SO I CAN GET MY KNIT ON!

THE BEDFORD CLANGER 

BEDPOP RECORD SHOP:

VINYL REVIVAL IS NO
FLASH IN THE PAN
The BedPop Record Shop is back for its fourth edition this month,
popping up on Saturday 7th November at The Ent Shed on Castle Road.
As ever, the BedPop team will bring together a selection of the
finest vinyl and CD vendors against a backdrop of live music and
DJs. Doors open at 9am and entry is free. All BedPop Record Shop
customers can take advantage of 10% off food orders at the adjacent
Gordon Arms with a BedPop proof of purchase.
The first BedPop Record Shop was born shortly after Bedfords
last independent record shop closed down in 2013. Recognising the
demand for vinyl in Bedford, BPRS stalwart, Darren Harte of Vinyl
Barn now has a regular Friday stall at Bedford Market and also sells
at Thriftee on the Broadway. It cant be long before one of our
entrepreneurs takes a punt and opens a record shop, said BedPop
Record Shop founder, Alan Cooley. Our job will then be done and
long may the revival continue.
For more details on the event, including the live line-up, visit
the BedPop Record Shop facebook page. Space for traders is
still available.

G.I JIVE COMES TO TOWN!

Bedfords very own American

USO style show will take place on
Saturday 21st of November from
8:30pm at the historic North End
Club on Roff Avenue. Hosted by
Tommy Benjamin and starring the
fabulous Hotsie Totsie girls (all the
way from 1940s New York City,) this
is shaping up to be a star-spangled
evening of vintage entertainment!
Naturally, guests are encouraged
to get into the spirit of the event with
1940s attire and American themed
outfits. Vintage hair styling and
make-up appointments will be available during the day from Sarahs
Doo-Wop Dos (sarahsdoowopdos@gmail.com for appointments).
With a themed photo booth, popcorn girls, licensed bar and 1am
closing time there will be plenty of time for dancing and celebrating
our American friends with a rum and coca cola!
Tickets are priced at 15 and can be bought online via Eventbrite.
co.uk (search for G.I Jive, Bedford)or are 18 on the door.

NOVEMBER 2015

BEDFORD SALVATION
ARMY CHRISTMAS FAIR

What better way to kick off your Christmas shopping while helping a good
cause than at the Salvation Army Christmas Fair. Taking place on Saturday 14
November at the Salvation Army Hall, Commercial Road, Bedford, pick up
Christmas cards, gifts and crafts from 9am 12.30pm. Alongside the stalls
there will be hot and cold refreshments and were hoping the band might even
be on hand to get everyone into the festive spirit!

NEW SHOPS!

You know what its like. You wait ages for a cool new shop to open and then three
come along at once. First up, and opening its doors at 44 Mill Street is jeweller
panoui (epanoui.co.uk). Owner and designer, Hannah Paine set up the brand
three years ago and the shop will stock her own beautiful jewellery alongside
complimentary artisanal art and craft products. A short walk away at 27 Castle
Road is Rogans Books (rogansbooks.co.uk), a specialist childrens bookshop
that was opened on 24th October by childrens laureate Chris Riddell. Owner
Rachael Rogan is passionate about sharing her love of literature with Bedfords
young readers, so expect lots of exciting events to spark literary creativity among
our young bibliophiles. Finally, Flamme Rouge Cycles opens at 62-64 Bromham
Road this month. The shop will offer sales, repairs and a fitting service and will
also have an on-site caf to refuel after a gruelling ride. Check out their Facebook
page for more details. Good luck!

ROLL YOUR OWN RECORDS

New at Herd, Roll You Own Records is a free to play, free to attend vinyl
night open to anyone with a record collection who wants to have a go on the
turntables. Were aiming to create a relaxed atmosphere that gives serious DJs
a chance to play out but also allows anyone to have a go at playing their vinyl
selection, said co-host Andy Yearley. We want to encourage a mix of musical
genres and hope to get a real age range of DJs everyone from retired DJs to
people who play at home and want to share their vinyl on a sound system in
front of people.
If you want to take part in their first event on 4th December, email Andy
at rollyourownuk@gmail.com by 20th November. Roll Your Own Records,
basement of Herd, 25 St Cuthberts Street.

BEDFORD
RASCALS

Bedfords premier comedy

skiffle combo, the Ouse Valley
Singles Club, will be performing
their unique tunes at the White
Horse, Newnham Avenue on
Friday 27th November.

SCOTT LOWER SCHOOL

P TA P R E S E N T S

ANNUAL
FIREWORKS

SPECTACULAR!
THURSDAY 5TH NOVEMBER
GATES OPEN 5.30PM AND THE
DISPLAY STARTS APPROX 6.30PM

Tickets can be obtained via the school or

by online at www.eventbrite.co.uk and
searching for Scott Lower School Fireworks
(the provider does charge a small fee)
BBQ REFRESHMENTS GLOWSTICKS
MINI FUNFAR RIDES FUN!
Single tickets 4, Family Tickets (2 adults
and 3 children) 9 in advance and 10 on
the gate. Under 4s free.
All enquiries: scottlowerpta@gmail.com
No sparklers permitted and no refunds given.
Scott Lower School, Hawk Drive,
Brickhill, Bedford, MK41 7JA
Facebook: ScottLowerSchoolPTA
Twitter: ScottSchBedford

ADERLEY DOGS
melt 600 calories per hour & get stronger
no tennis skills needed max 12 per class
Sessions at Riverside Tennis Club on:
Mondays
9.15am
Wednesday 6.00pm
free trial session
Saturday
6.55am
7 per session drop in
Goldington Rd | Bedford | MK40 3EA
www.riversidetennisbedford.co.uk

OH... I LOVE A CHRISTMAS FAIR.

DAILY WALKS

Beautiful, non-intrusive
wedding photography
catlaneweddings.com
0770 684 8554

Are you looking for a reliable

dog walker in the Bedford area.
We offer group walk slots daily from 10.
Great for socialising & exercise.

01234 305 956

www.aderleydogs.co.uk

THE BEDFORD CLANGER 

NOVEMBER 2015
Images by wecancreative.com

Looking for somewhere

to hold your festive gathering?
Look no further!
Email us today on bedfordpavilion@gmail.com,
we promise you a magical night to remember.

pavilion
b e d f o r d

p a r k

t 01234 351104
w www.attheparkbedford.co.uk

PavilionatthePark
@BedfordPavilion

Lets sort it

Recycle your paper and card

www.bedford.gov.uk/recycling

the puddin club

Puddings Cakes Breakfast Cheeseboard
Great Coffee Prosecco Wine Beer
Cider Ice Cream Milkshakes

Christmas Parties & Gatherings...

Why not Puddings and Prosecco!
Or beer, wine, cider or also soft
drinks and coffee?!
You can either have private hire in the evening
(not Fridays) or for smaller gatherings we can
reserve you a table. If you need it to be in a
lunchtime then pre-order?

get your just desserts

07773 943586
www.thepuddinclub.co.uk
120a Castle Road, Bedford, MK40 3RG

FUN PALACES

By Erica Roffe (Bedford Clanger editor and founder of BedPop)

On Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October, BedPop Fun Palaces took over five venues
in Bedford town centre. Part of the nationwide Fun Palaces weekend, the events in
Bedford took place simultaneously with 142 other fun palaces all over the UK in a
huge, hands-on celebration of art, culture and science.
With the help of lots and lots of volunteers, the BedPop Fun Palaces popped up at
Bedford Library, the Higgins, Animal Gallery, the Quarry Theatre and Harpur Square.
With the financial support of Colworth Park, Bedford School, You Can Book Me, BCA
and EMC Design all the events, workshops and activities were free. From coding
workshops at the library to cross-stitch masterclasses at the Higgins, everything was
accessible to all.
So many people came along to take part, it was completely overwhelming and each of
the venues was transformed by the activities taking place as the Fun Palaces took over.
The foyer of the Higgins became an engineering workshop, with Mark Rutherford
students, Network Rail engineers and members of the public attempting to build towering structures from just paper and sticky tape. Arts Leaders from Beauchamp Middle
School worked with artist Paul Pibworth to create an art, sound and light installation at
the Higgins and there were children everywhere with weather wands, Mexican masks
and cross stitching that theyd made in the Fun Palaces workshops.
At Bedford Library, over 140 people contributed to the big BedPop Fun Palaces quilt
project run by textile artist Helen Jones. The completed quilt will be on display in early
2016. Alongside Helen were volunteers from English Heritage who were sharing artefacts
from their stores while their Georgian hangman told gruesome tales of the noose.
The Sustrans smoothie bike made 176 pedal-powered smoothies in Harpur Square
and over 60 children came to the James and the Giant Peach story time run by Novus
Theatre. Animal Gallery was packed to the rafters with participants in the Circus of
Illustrations Robot Lab while the Frogs Chorus entertained children of all ages at the
Quarry Theatre.
Thanks to the support of Bedford School, one of the highlights of the weekend
was the involvement of the internationally renowned Complicite Theatre company.
Their maths/performance workshops took place in the newly completed Quarry
Theatre at St Lukes and brought many families into the space for the first time, as
the scientists from Orchadia Solutions with their Smell and Tell workshop in the
Quarry bar. Everyone loved donning their white coats and safety goggles so they
could dress the part!
The enthusiasm for STEAM events in Bedford has prompted us to develop a
BedPop Science Week event in March and we have already booked our first events for
the BedPop Fun Palaces in 2016. Roll on next year!
If you would like to be involved in the BedPop Science Spectacular in
March or have an idea for a pop up event in Bedford, please get in touch.
BedPopShop@gmail.com

BIG THANKS

TH E
R
C L A NG E

N PLACES
U
F
P
O
P
D
BE

By Kristine Wilkinson-Hughes @euphonioushoney

I took on the hat of music promoter in October for the BIG House Concert, a new music series in Bedford. Walking around handing
out leaflets before or after shows and asking pubs, shops, restaurants, and cafes to let me put up a poster or leave some leaflets
felt like asking a big favour. So, I want to try and thank the businesses here now for letting me promote the show in your place of
business (if I have forgotten anyone I do apologise). Thank you: The Art Centre, The Music Centre, The Bedford Film Festival,
Vaporz, The Three Cups, The Devonshire, The Burnaby Arms, The Wellington, Coffee with Art, Caf Virtuoso, Boutique Planet,
Mellow Clothing, Daisy May Florists, Caf Fresco, Fancy Cafe, Bedford Fun Palace, The Mill, Kiosk at Russell Park, Pavillion in
Bedford Park, Eagle Gallery and Bookshop, The Higgins, Number 13, Triple Ace Tattoo, and the Ent Shed/Gordon Arms. Pubs in the
following villages: Odell, Sharnbrook, Risely, Keysoe, Turvey, Harrold, Bromham, Wrestlingworth and Oakley. Special mention to
Erica at the Clanger for the extra support, Sarah at the Beds on Sunday and Peter at the Times & Citizen for covering it in the local
press. And finally, to the Place Theatre and Laura for taking a risk with me to create a very special music event. Until the next one in
February/March, thank you Bedford!

DID YOU GET INVOLVED... TELL US ABOUT IT!

THE BEDFORD CLANGER 

NOVEMBER 2015

UNIQUE BEDFORD:
DESIGN TWENTY

TH E
R
C L A NG E

D
BEDFOR
UNIQUE

HENRY ADKINS
GUNSHOP

By David Fowler of Bedford Tour Guides

If you look up as you walk along the High Street, above No 57, Subway, you will see an
elaborate faade with two stone dogs perched on pillars looking out. These are gundogs, since
this was once Henry Adkins gunshop his initials are intertwined just below the dogs.
The son of a gunsmith from Suffolk, 23 year old Henry started business in 1844 at Tavistock
Street, moving to premises in St Marys around 1850. There he built a rifle range at the back
of his shop where many of the gentry went to practice including Colonel Fred Burnaby. By
c1861 he had moved to 11 High Street with a staff of two men and three apprentices. Business
prospered, moving to No 57 in 1871, where Henry demolished a butchers shop, engaging the
Bedford architect John Usher to design the new shop in Neo-Gothic style with a workshop
at the rear, while the Exeter sculptor Harry Hems modelled the gun dogs. The advert below
indicates the gun types manufactured on the premises, also that for a short period, from 1876
1880, he had premises in Peterborough.
In 1877 catastrophe struck the shop gun cartridge filling took place in a shed at the rear
of the premises where under the new Explosives act of 1876, up to 5lbs of gunpowder could
be stored. On 28th August a massive explosion occurred, killing two of Henrys employees.
The Coroners jury found for accidental deaths, but that Mr Adkin has failed to enforce the
necessary precautions against accident and that efficient supervision has not been kept by the
Local Authority.
Gun production continued up to WW1 (3 - 35 in 1897), but run by the sons and grandsons of the founder, the emphasis changed to all sporting requisites tennis, cricket, croquet
and golf. In 1953 the business moved to 61 Midland Road and in c1967 to new premises
at 25 Greyfriars, finally closing in around 2000. Adkins guns are still favoured today and
collected worldwide.
Curiously, the two stone gundogs were stolen some years ago, but were found in the Castle
Lane Car Park and restored to their original position!
Bedfordtourguides.org

Back in 2012, Design Twenty opened its doors on Castle Quay

selling original 20th century design right here in Bedford.
Design Twenty started life in 1997 as a shop in North London
before moving online in 2005. When owner Andy Nicholls and
his family moved to Bedford it seemed logical to open a retail
space in which to showcase his beautiful products. And Castle
Quay was the perfect location.
So, how have the last three years trading been? Not bad at
all, said Andy. Were now well established in the area and
local business has been better than I initially thought it would
be. In fact, shop sales have grown to represent 25% - 30% of
the business as online sales have slightly decreased. It takes
time to build a loyal customer base, but Im lucky that I have
many customers who come back again and again, said Andy.
Of course, as a small shop in an area off the beaten track,
youve got to find other ways of selling your products and that is
how niche indie retailers can develop their business.
Andy has seen the retail landscape change over the years and the

success of his physical/virtual combo is evidence that you have to

evolve in order to survive. Youve got to drive your own business
forward, he says. You have to get your stuff out to people however
you can. We cannot simply rely on passing trade in our location.
Were a destination shop and its working out pretty well.
Andy scours the country for the best of 20th century design,
from Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Bauhaus movement to
contemporary designers such as Jasper Morrison.
The shop is particularly strong on mid-20th century design,
with rare pieces by such well-known names as Charles Eames,
Arne Jacobsen, Le Corbusier, Hans Wegner, Verner Panton and
Eric Ravilious. Design Twenty sells everything from lamps to
sideboards, chairs to vases. But theyre not just achingly cool,
decorative items to beautify your home. Luckily, mid-century
furniture is also an investment with pieces by the most soughtafter names having trebled in value in the last 15 years.
Design Twenty, 11 Ram Yard, Bedford MK40 1AL
01234 213106 http://www.designtwenty.com/

ADVERTISE IN
THE
BEDFORD

CLANGER
CONTACT JULIA CROFTS
bedfordclangerads@gmail.com
07966 696784 / @ClangerAds
I LOVE RETRO FURNITURE... SO COOL!

THE BEDFORD CLANGER 

NOVEMBER 2015

TH E
R
C L A NG E

AR
F I LM & G

DENING

INDIES + FILM + VOLUNTEERS = BEDFORD FILM FESTIVAL

Without small, local, independent
businesses Bedford Film Festival
wouldnt exist. It really is as simple as
that. OK wed probably be able to still
show a few films here and there, but if it
wasnt for those sponsors who are more
than happy to consistently bend over
backwards to help fund us each year,
wed not be able to achieve all we have.
Our gratitude to them is unending.

As a not-for-profit organisation we are reliant on external support. A

lot of this comes from our volunteers and the audience members who
come to our screenings, but the local independent micro businesses
and SMEs who support us give us the ability to grow and better
ourselves. They know that by supporting us they increase footfall into
the town, which means more people doing business with them.
Of course with budgets tight for SMEs it is not always possible
to have the traditional relationship where they hand over cash in
exchange for advertising throughout our event. But as any good
business owner knows, flexibility is key, and we do have situations
where theyll provide services or products instead of cash. This means
we can still get the support we need but at a cost the businesses are
able to afford, and it works very well.

Were really happy when local businesses tell us that they love
being a part of what we do. It makes it all worthwhile knowing they
have faith in us and that others share our vision. As weve grown the
number of businesses helping us has grown too. It truly is great to
be working for the greater good of the town with so many people as
passionate as we are about where we live and work.
We should all celebrate small businesses, for even if you dont do
business with them yourself, they are all helping to create a Bedford
full of diverse things to do, full of fun, full of culture. A Bedford that
we can all be proud of.
Twitter: @BedfordFilmFest
Facebook: Bedford Film Festival
Web: www.BedfordFilmFestival.org

ALL HAIL KALE

BY JANE PERRONE @JANEPERRONE PERRONE.BLOGS.COM

There is something horribly worthy about kale. The noisome Gwyneth Paltrow bangs on about it people make hideous green smoothies out of it - and healthy living blogs frequently counsel that we
should make crisps out of it, as if a bag of Walkers isnt the zenith of the culinary crisp experience!
And yet I do intend to try to convince you to grow kale. But not just any old kale. The kale I love
doesnt require the annual rigmarole of sowing, because its perennial. This monster of a plant grows
stems as thick as your wrist, yet it produces young leaves tender enough to be shown the inside of
a hot saucepan, a lick of butter and a twist of pepper to produce the best vegetable side dish youve
ever tasted. Its name? Daubenton kale (Brassica oleracea Ramosa Group, if you want the Latin,
which I know some of you do).
This plant is tough, evergreen and low maintenance: it can cope with full sun or shade, and is
fully hardy down to at least -15C. It thrives in my rather parched raised beds, but would do just as
well (probably better) in a moister soil. It comes into its own at this time of year, when it produces a
continuous crop of young leaves, especially if you pick regularly. There may be a couple of months
of the summer when it looks rather sad, particularly if you fail to net it against the caterpillars large
and small white butterflies. But even if it gets monstered down to mere stems, it will bounce back
once it is too cold for the butterflies to lay eggs.
The plain green, slightly ruffled leaves dont have the majesty of the annual Cavolo Nero, or the
beauty of a purple frilly variety such as Ragged Jack, but they still make a handsome architectural
plant. Theres a variegated Daubenton type with creamy leaf margins thats particularly gorgeous,
and even rarer. Eventually, the plant will reach about 1m tall and the ever-lengthening branches
(its also known as tree kale) begin to lay down on the soil. You can leave them there, and they may
even take root and make you new plants, but equally if you prefer to prune, they are almost infinitely
forgiving of being hacked back. There are other perennial kales, too: I am growing one called
Purple Flanders, with huge leaves textured like dinosaur skin and a stem so thick people used to
turn them into walking canes. Theres another called Taunton Deane, which Ive yet to try.
What do you use it for, then? As I have already said, its very fine simply wilted in butter. Turn it
into crisps and smoothies if you must: I am sure readers with an Italian heritage will have a dozen
recipes up their sleeves for ribollita, ziti and the like. I like mine massaged with olive oil and sea salt
and mixed with green lentils, toasted nuts, chopped chillies and lemon juice for a simple superfood
salad. Or do as my friend Sharon does and feed it to your guinea pigs: its very good for them, too.
Tragically, Daubenton kale is hard to lay your hands on - the variegated type is even harder to find.
It set seeds very rarely (hence the perennial bit ...) so the best way to propagate plants is via cuttings:
easy enough, but not something the likes of the big nurseries wish to scale up to commercial levels,
perhaps.
But heres the good news: I have a dozen or so Daubenton kale plants that are going spare. If
youd like to have one of these plants to help spread the kale love around Bedford before Id love to
hear from you. Ill give priority to any school or community group who wants a plant, but after that
its first come, first served. Theyre free - but if anyone wants to make a small donation to the funds
of the Rothsay community herb garden, that would be most welcome. Drop me an email to
jane.perrone@gmail.com and well sort out collection or delivery.

10

Variegated Daubenton

Flanders Purple kale

Daubenton Kale

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING BEDFORD FILM FESTIVAL... GET IN TOUCH!

THE BEDFORD CLANGER 

SMALL BUSINESS
CELEBRATION

TH E
C L A NG E R

S M A L L BU S

NOVEMBER 2015

I NE SS

MANY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WORK BY

THEMSELVES, SO THE AVAILABILITY OF MEETING
ROOMS OR A SPACE TO HOOK UP WITH LIKE-MINDED
PEOPLE TO SHARE IDEAS IS ALWAYS WELCOME!
44 Harpur Street (formerly Maximo Learn) is just such a place: a
unique venue to meet, train or breakout. Since opening in 2014 the
space has hosted hundreds of clients and now boasts a ground floor
parlour caf - a drop-in space to enjoy coffee and refreshments
while working at your own desk! Perfect for those who want
an alternative workspace to get their creative juices flowing! In
addition, there are four uniquely themed rooms designed to host
meetings, small seminars, networking or training days. Theyve
also hosted exhibitions, pop up film nights as part of Bedford Film
Festival Fringe, interviews and mediations.
The 44 Harpur Street team are always happy to show guests
around, so give them a call: 01234 342626
44HarpurStreet.com

GOING SOLO: HUTCH PR

Running your own business is not for the faint-hearted. It takes dedication, perseverance,
hours of blood, sweat and tears but can be also hugely rewarding. The Clanger works
closely with many small businesses, and we are passionate about championing the mini
yet mighty members of the business community. Here are three very different small local
businesses, showing the diversity of talent across Bedfordshire.
Gwyn Williams: From Apprentice to Managing Director
We first wrote about Gwyn Williams in 2011, so are delighted that there
have been so many exciting developments in his business over the last
four years. Gwyn left school at 16 and was taken on as an apprentice at J
Moore Restoration as an antique furniture restorer. For three years, Gwyn
combined working in the business in Chawston with study in Manchester for
his City & Guilds training.
Over the years, Gwyns boss and mentor, John, became a good friend.
When John sadly died from cancer in 2008, his widow offered Gwyn the
chance to buy the business. Gwyn took over the business in August 2008 nearly 20 years after he had started as a young apprentice.

In 2014 Gwyn relocated the workshop to Colworth and his father and
wife now work for the business. Alongside the workshop is a showroom to
compliment the restoration side of the business, selling a range of antique
furniture and smaller items and gifts.
It was very daunting taking on the business to begin with, says Gwyn.
Owning, your own business is a lot harder than people think. There is a
lot of working in the evening and at weekends. Due to his dedication,
Williams Antiques and Restoration has grown from strength to strength and
it is a fitting legacy to Johns hard work.
Williams Antiques and Restoration: 1 Hampshire Buildings, School
Lane, Colmworth, Bedford MK44 2JZ williamsantiques.co.uk

WHERE COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Branding / Advertising / Direct mail / Packaging
Digital / Point-of-sale / PR / Strategy

Our business is just over a year old but Hutch PR has been an idea
for some time, said Paul Hutchinson, the Hutch of Hutch PR.
The idea came about because public relations doesnt tend to have
the reputation it should have. If you ask most people what someone
in PR does, then theyll probably describe Edina and Patsy from Ab
Fab. PR shouldnt be that way.
Ive worked in media and PR for over ten years and see
shocking examples of bad PR, but then Ive also seen how excellent
it can be. It was my desire to talk about the good PR I had seen
that led me to start blogging about PR best practice. Id blog as
Hutch PR, tweet as Hutch PR, network as Hutch PR, and learn as
Hutch PR. Id soak up PR seminars, devour marketing courses, and
surround myself within PR networks. Not just so I could emulate
what was already happening, but so I could develop a PR style that
fitted with who I am as a person. Then one day, I just decided that
if Hutch PR was going to be a real business, it was now or never. I
handed in my notice and went into business on my own.
So, was going solo scary? Yes, and I couldnt have done it
without the support of family, friends, peers and my then employer,
Kerry Jack at Black Letter PR, who was nothing but supportive
of my decision to go it alone. She too had faced the same jump
herself only a few years before and knew exactly the right words to
say: If anyone can make it happen, you can.
Its been a year, can you tell us what youve learnt? For me its
the realisation that the word no is your friend. In the early days
I said yes to everything and that wasnt the right thing to do.
Now Ive developed the courage to say no to the businesses Im
not suited for I have the headspace to work my hardest for those
business that I am right for. @HutchPR HutchPR.com

DiD you know we're open

9am-4pm 7 Days a week
aLL through the winter
and dont forget our annual Christmas Eve Carols
- 4pm Thursday 24th December with plenty of Mulled Wine, Mince Pies & Hot Chocolate too!

Tel: O1234 271877

facebook.com/reactionvm info@reactionvm.co.uk

MY NEXT MEETING WILL BE AT 44 HARPUR STREET.

www.kiosk.attheparkbedford.co.uk

www.facebook.com/kioskatthepark
@kioskatthepark
www.youtube.com/kioskatthepark
pinterest.com/atthepark

Ethically Sourced Coffee, Organic Tea, Homemade Cakes & Snacks, SaNdwiches & Panini

11

THE BEDFORD CLANGER 

TH E
C L A NG
ER

A ND F

FITNESS THROUGH NORDIC

WALKING: WHERES THE SNOW?
By Paula Walker
You may have spotted groups of walkers with poles in
one of Bedfords parks recently. They are taking part
in Nordic walking, an increasingly popular form of
full body exercise thats easy on the joints, improves
fitness levels and lowers risk from various medical
conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and
some cancers. The use of poles means that the upper
body muscles are engaged as well as the legs; back
and abdominal muscles are strengthened and up to
46% more calories are burned!
I discovered it through North Beds Nordic Walking,
set up by Theresa Saunders three years ago. As well as
increasing fitness, the walks are very sociable, as we chat along the route, and the hour passes
very quickly indeed. All the groups Ive walked with have been very friendly and inclusive.
If you think you would like to give it a go, there are different options: Bedford Borough
Councils ReActivate course (the next one starts in January 2016); a referral through your GP
to the Lifestyle Hub; or a four-week taster/technique course with Theresa.
For more information:northbedsnordicwalking.co.uk or call Theresa Saunders
on 07758205455

ART SCHOOL DISCO DRAWS...

Each month we challenge members of art collective Art School Disco to interpret our monthly
theme. This month its Succurent by Simon Abbott @ArtSchoolDisco @toughweak

NOVEMBER 2015

INALL
Y...

SMALL YET
MIGHTY
BY NEIL FRANKEL,
DIRECTOR OF TENNIS AT
RIVERSIDE TENNIS CLUB
OK weve all heard it before. Get in shape, tone up for
summer, get into your favourite Xmas party outfit.. blah
blah blah. We dont believe in all that at Riverside Tennis Club
but we do know that regular exercise will make you feel great
tons of endorphins surging around your body, reducing your
stress levels and giving you more energy throughout the week.
We reckon that one of the hardest things about any fitness
session is to leave the house, to make the choice to go in the
first place there is always so much else to do. The hardest
part is often getting out of your own front door
So..our contribution to this months Clanger is to give you
all 5 small yet mighty things to help you get more active.
1. Write the times of your sessions in your diary protect
them like you would do if it was work
2. Pack your kit the night before. Its so much easier to leave
the house on time if youre in a rush with everything ready
by the door

3. Prepare your drinks and snacks beforehand

4. Phone a friend arranging to meet a friend at the class is a
good way to motivate yourself even more to get there.
5. Get pumped!! regularly update your playlist if you like
training to music (we do !!)
Were offering a free trial Cardio Tennis Session for
Clanger fans throughout November & December at Riverside.
Sessions run on Mondays 9.15am Wednesdays 6pm and
Saturdays 6.55am. The class is similar to a circuits class but
with the added element of hitting a ton of tennis balls you
dont need any tennis skills or equipment to come and melt
calories with us and its great fun for all levels.
Come and see what everyone is talking about.
doc@riversidetennisbedford.co.uk

THE LAST WORD

BY REVEREND SHARON GRENHAM-THOMPSON,
PRISON CHAPLAIN, HMP BEDFORD
Back in the summer there was a
news piece about an aeroplane
grounded by a bee. Apparently the
passenger jet was forced to return
to Southampton airport shortly
after take-off because the pesky
insect got stuck in a wind measuring instrument on the outside of
the plane.
Its often the little things that
cause the biggest disruption. At one
end of the spectrum a tiny greenfly can ruin your roses, at the
other end a microscopic virus can cause disease and even the
potential for global panic. Putting it on a more personal level, a
habit can snowball into an addiction; a careless word can turn
into hurtful gossip; not bothering to look your partner in the
eye any more can open up a great gulf between you.
By not paying attention to the small things in life, we can
make ourselves vulnerable to all kinds of trouble.
But actually, if we miss the small things in life we miss some of
the greatest blessings too. Take an early morning walk at this time
of year, with eyes truly open, and youll see tiny drops of glistening
moisture on the delicate strands of a spiders web; the faintest scurry
from the hedgerow reminds us of the teeming life all around us; and
on some trees, next years buds are already starting to form - the

promise of life even when all about us seems to be dying off.

And that promise of life tips over into our contact with
others. Small gestures from a loved one warm our hearts - the
childs hand slipped into ours; the cup of tea brought every
morning from a partner; the smile from an elderly parent when
we keep our promise to visit.
When I was going through a really tough time a few years
ago I decided that I would fight back against the gloom that was
threatening to overwhelm me. One of the ways I did this was
to keep a little notebook with me, and every day Id make sure
I wrote down at least two little things that had been positive
about the day. Sometimes I had many more, other times I had to
think hard - but that discipline of appreciating the little things,
and giving them as much house room as the larger, tougher
challenges, rebalanced my view of the world.
So lets declare the diminutive, big-up the baby-sized and
love the little! Were often led to believe that we are too
small, too feeble, to make much difference in the world; that
if were not able to make a grand gesture, or lead an army of
people, or control vast swathes of land or money or information then were not really much cop. Smallness of mind or
heart is deadening and sad, but size doesnt always matter. It
was Vincent van Gogh who said Great things are done by a
series of small things brought together. This month I hope that
everything little thing we do, will be magic.

Free Entry 10th October 2015 to 10th April 2016

J.M.W Turner (1775 - 1851) Norham Castle, on the Tweed, 1798. Courtesy of the Trustees of Cecil Higgins Art Gallery

J.M.W. TURNER

& THE ART OF WATERCOLOUR

12

www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk

The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane

Bedford MK40 3XD

WHO NEEDS SNOW FOR A GOOD STROLL.