FrEE

issUE 6: MOVEMBER 2011

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

Your finger-on-the-pulse, indispensable guide to whats going down in this town.

Artwork by: Anne-Marie Stijelja (Exclusive to the Coolhaus Movember charity auction)

For: music-lovers, culture-vultures, crafters, artists, makers, gardeners, traders, foodies, fashionistas
email: thebedfordclanger@gmail.com blog:thebedfordclanger.wordpress.com twitter:@bedfordclanger facebook: The Bedford Clanger Group Page

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

MOVEMBER 2011 wAnt to crEAtE Art in oUr town, tHEn GEt insPirED BY tHis!
Theres such a wealth of artistic talent in Bedford, and where better to display it than where everyone in the town can appreciate it.
During Septembers Pride in Bedford river care clean up, local illustrator Scarlett Tierney and Councillor Kristy Adams helped 116 volunteers clear litter from the river and its banks and also transformed the underpass at Longholme Bridge with a mural inspired by our beautiful town. It is definitely worth a trip along the Embankment to check the artwork out and spot all the local landmarks and flora and fauna that are depicted in it. We love it! Bedford Borough Council would love to do more community art projects and murals across the town and were always looking for suggestions for possible areas and anyone willing to volunteer to help design or paint, said Community Partnerships Officer, Deborah Shrimpton. Anyone who would like to make a suggestion should call 01234 718276, email prideinbedford@bedford. gov.uk or tweet @prideinbedford. We look forward to hearing from you!

UniQUE BEDForD
THE PICTURE GALLERY , HIGH STREET, BEDFORD the Picture Gallery has been framing pictures for the good people of Bedford for 25 years. Michelle Brealey: Pretty as a picture Established by Joy
and Graham Brealey in The Boulevard (now the Howard Centre), they relocated to the Harpur Centre 15 years ago and this year has seen them take their rightful place on the High Street. Now run by Joy and Grahams daughter Michelle, The Picture Gallery has taken over the former Polly Flinders/BCA Gallery site and they are proud that they are maintaining an artistic business on the premises. For the last 25 years, framing has been the backbone of our business, explains Michelle. All our frames are made
Photo by: Shaun Armstrong

Letter from the Editor

Forget November, its MOvember all the way in Clanger land this month. Inspired by the knowledge that UK awareness of this world-wide charity pretty much began in Bedford has made us determined to lend our support to raising awareness of mens health charities with the help of our mo bros. Get growing, Bedford! One very surprising revelation this month is how little is known about the Anne Frank Tree in Russell Park. Super-sleuth Jane Perrone has done her best to find out as much as she can about this tree (see her column in the Gardening Section), but if you can shed any further light on the subject, please do get in touch. Happy Movember Bedford and see you next month. Erica x

GEorGEs mArVELLoUs mEDicinE

in Bedford at our workshop on London Road. We sell standard sized frames in the shop but make bespoke frames to order. Aside from posters, photographs and prints, The Picture Gallery is renowned for framing the weird and wonderful. Weve framed football shirts, cricket bats, golf clubs - anything really within reason! Weve even framed a dress once, so anythings possible. Need a passport photo but hate photo booths? Then pop in and see Michelle and shell take your photo in the Gallery. They also develop digital photos and

35mm film, can cut picture mounts to any size and have a photographic studio above the shop. Said Michelle, The new studio has real character with wooden floors and huge windows. We do family portraits, model shoots and baby pictures. So how has the move affected the business? Moving to the High Street feels like a wonderful new start to the business, said Michelle. Weve gained lots of new customers while retaining those people whove been visiting us and trusting us with their pictures for the last 25 years. So how would Michelle sum up Bedford in just three words? multi-cultural, historical and vibrant. Thanks Michelle, and heres to the next 25 years of success at The Picture Gallery! The Picture Gallery, High Street, Bedford Tel: 360030 Web: www.picturegallyeruk.com

HomEtown toUrist
ant to find out more about Bedfords most famous resident, John Bunyan? They why not head over to the John Bunyan Museum on Tuesday 22 November at 7pm for a fascinating talk on how the King James Bible influenced John Bunyans spiritualjourney. Kathy Brown (owner of the wonderful gardens at the Manor House in Stevington) is passionate about John Bunyan and here shares her thoughts on what will be a most illuminating evening: This year marks the four hundredth anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, the most famous and longlived translation of the Bible in English. It was not the first translation of the Bible into English, but instead represented the culmination of a century of intensive translation activity inaugurated by the work of William Tyndale. In his talk at the Bunyan Museum, Professor Owens will outline the complicated process by which the King James Bible came into existence, and how the team of some fifty distinguished translators went about their work. He will discuss some of the reasons why the King James became established for over three centuries as the Bible in English, and why it continues to be regarded as a supremely important work in the English literary tradition. The talk will focus in particular on the extraordinary ways in which the Bible influenced John Bunyan. His autobiography, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners gives a vivid account of how Bunyans spiritual development was marked by obsessive wrestling with Scripture verses, and Bible reading is a central theme in The Pilgrims Progress. But Bunyan was by no means the only writer to have been powerfully influenced by the language, stories and characters of the Bible, and the talk will end by considering the significance of the King James Bible in the literary works of writers as different from each other as

the Power and the Glory of the King James Bible

PoP UP EmPoriUm comEs to town

Photo by: Shaun Armstrong

Want to take the kids to a show this Christmas but dont want to schlep to MK or indeed our capital city to see some D/Z listers in panto? Then head to The Place and treat your family to a dose of Georges Marvellous Medicine! This stage adaptation of Roald Dahls much-loved childrens book is a collaboration between No Loss Productions and Dumstruck! Productions (both Bedfordbased companies) who are working with local actors and designers to bring us a truly Bedfordian Christmas treat. The Place Theatre is the perfect venue for a family show as everyone in the audience will feel like theyre part of the action. Join George as he mixes up a fantastical concoction that produces some very unexpected results for his horrible Grandma and a whole host of farmyard animals. If youve enjoyed the book then we can guarantee that you will LOVE this marvellous spectacle. The Clanger will definitely be there! The show runs from Wednesday 14th December to Saturday 24th December at The Place, Bradgate Road, Bedford. Tickets 10 adults, 6 concessions, under 5s go free. 2pm shows 17th 24th (not 19th & 20th) 7pm shows 14th 23rd (not 18th & 19th) Tickets are on sale now at www.theplacebedford.org group bookings are also available please ring 01234 354321 Bedford based illustrator David Litchfield has designed the poster for the show and will be taking on the role of set designer. davidlitchfieldillustration.com 2

Milton, Defoe, Charlotte Bront and Toni Morrison.

stablished in November 2010, community group We Are Bedford has achieved rather a lot in the last 12 months. Starting with the Castle Quay Weekender, events have included the Bedford Busking Festival, The Big Lunch, David Litchfields Pop-Up Gallery and the Big Draws Monsters of Bedford . Phew! So, how to end the year with something really special? How about a pop-up shop selling great things by Bedford makers? Weve been lucky enough to secure the former bridal suite in Castle Quay unitl the end of the year, so will be showcasing the talents of some of our towns most talented crafters, designers and makers in an emporium of loveliness, said We Are Bedfords Kayte Judge. We want to encourage people to do their Christmas shopping in Bedford, so what better way then creating our very own department store! We are in the process of selecting a range of products that are of exceptional quality and cant wait to get started, explained Kayte. As with every We Are Bedford event, it is organised and run by volunteers who are passionate about making positive things happen in our town. So please come along and lend your support. Opening in mid-November, the shop will not only offer a platform for local makers to sell their wares, but will also offer workshops and events.

Bob Owens is Emeritus Professor of

English Literature at The Open University. He has published widely on the works of John Bunyan and Daniel Defoe, and has recently prepared an edition of The Gospels: Authorized King James Version for the Oxford Worlds Classics series (2011). Please come and join us for this talk by Professor Bob Owens, Tuesday 22 November 2011 at Bunyan Meeting, Mill Street, Bedford, MK40 3EU 7 for 7.30pm Friends 6, others 8. Although the Bunyan Museum closes at the end of October, they will host an open day on Saturday 12th November during the Bunyan Meeting Christmas Craft Fayre. Come along any time between 10am-3pm. The perfect opportunity to pick up some Christmas gifts while learning more about this fascinating building. Admission 1 including a free cup of tea or coffee Accompanied children under 14 free.

This will be the last We Are Bedford event for the foreseeable future, said Kayte, We are so proud of what weve achieved over the last year and hope that We Are Bedford has encouraged the people of our town to get involved to make a difference. Look out for more information about opening dates and times in the forthcoming weeks For further information or to volunteer your services, please contact: kayte@goodthingsltd.com

Nice moustache, John. Youd be perfect for Movember

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

moustache, said JC. We were reminiscing about our favourite mos (Magnum PI, Merv Hughes etc) and realised that this was a fashion that definitely needed to be brought back. It was just a bit of fun that first year, but by 2004, JC had recruited 475 guys to get involved and they decided to try and raise sponsorship for their moustache growing. In 2004, with just 475 participants we managed to raise Aus$55,000, explains JC. Wed discovered that prostate cancer was the biggest killer among men, but the charity had a very low profile. Taking our inspiration from womens cancer charities, we wanted to raise awareness of this little-know killer. We presented our cheque to the prostate cancer charity in Australia and they were amazed. It was the biggest single donation theyd ever received. It made us determined to raise more money and more awareness every year. *1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime *This year 37,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed *1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime *26% of men are less likely to go the doctor compared to women. The following year over 10,000 men got involved, among them Sacha Harding, Bedford Blues rugby player who was over in Oz and living with JC. Sacha was an early adopter of the Movember initiative, said JC. And he brought the campaign back to the UK when he returned in 2006. If it hadnt been for Sacha, and the men of Bedford (especially the Bedford Blues), the Movember campaign would not be so successful in the UK. In 2006 there were more mo bros in Bedford than throughout the rest of the UK. How cool is that?? Since Movember began in the UK, Britains mo bros have raised an astonishing 20million, with 11.7million Coolhaus, The Broadway Tel: 01234 344250 website: www.coolhausinteriors.co.uk

MOVEMBER 2011

BEDForD nEtworKBLoGtAstic!

wE rEALLY wAnt to sEE tHAt UPPEr LiP HAir GrowinG!

Since its inception in Australia in 2003, the Movember movement has grown a huge following among the more hirsute half of the population, raising over 106million for mens health charities in the last 10 years.

ts hard to believe now, but just 30 Antipodeans were involved in that first year, among them co-founder JC. The Clanger caught up with him during the London launch of this years campaign to find out how mo growing has made such an incredible impact and Bedfords part in this quality campaign. Movember started with a few of us guys bemoaning the loss of the

f you havent checked it out yet, then we strongly suggest you do. In the meantime, let The Clanger introduce you to Caroline Wise and Sue Gough a mother and daughter who are putting Bedford on the blogosphere. I grew up in Bedford but moved to London where I worked at Shakespeares Globe and then for an advertising agency, said Caroline. In London its easy to surround yourself with culture and creativity. I was worried that when we moved back to Bedford in 2010 it would feel like a cultural desert. How wrong I was! Inspired by listings blogs in London, Caroline and her mum Sue soon realised that there was a gap in the market for a hub of information about Bedford. We wanted to share our best experiences about the town whether its shopping, caf culture or arts events, explained Caroline. Ive enjoyed the creativity of the writing and love promoting Bedford things. Its made us more aware of the diversity of events in our town and the creative things that are under the radar of the traditional press. Each month, we share with you our best experiences of Bedford, from delis to art galleries, anything and everything raised last year. The aim for this year is to double that amount, so get growing Bedford! We wanted to know if JC had any top tips for mo growers in our town. Just start growing and your moustache will choose you, said JC. Youll soon discover what your style is and we Not only are Bedfords own OVSC taking part, but headline act, PaulMalBarbara is a barbershop comedy written and performed by Bedford-born Richard Marshall. Richard (originally from Putnoe) now runs Pall Mall Barbers (do you see what he did there?) in the West End and will be joined on the bill by ventriloquist Nina Conti (daughter of John). 30 November at The Arts Theatre, 6-7 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JB tickets: http://www.lovetheatre.com/ tickets/2498/PaulMalBarbara-MovemberComedy-Gala-Night

Photo by: Shaun Armstrong

Please join us in welcoming our new columnists, the fab ladies from the Bedford Network blog.

really but only the best makes it to our blog. Here is a snap shot of what weve been up to: Picasso yes Pablo was in Bedford! We loved the exhibition of his original prints at the Art Centre and it made us remember the great photo of the man himself Picasso and the loaves Bumps and Babes a group for those with a bump or a young baby. I found the group a super useful way to meet other mums in Bedford whilst enjoying a cup of tea, you might too Frescoes coffee and culture vultures will love it here on Mill St with art work on the walls, monthly poetry events and the best caffeine fix this side of the river Oxfam the shop on the High St is fantastic, selling both new and pre-loved items which is a great combination. We really like their wooden toys, especially the duck! Tweeting weve been enjoying the twitterings from @jacktrot @scarlettrebecca @jamesparton and four guarantee itll be a talking point whatever you go for.

legged tweeter @lord_barney. If youre a tweeter say hi to us @bedfordnetwork Lastly here is our High Five to November: 1.Keep the winter bugs at bay with a wheatgrass shot from Luscious Juice Bar on Lime St 2.Wrap up and beat the bulge with our brisk walks in Bedford 3.Well be digging out recipes for Bonfire night. Parkin and toffee apples are our favourite 4.Get a theatre fix at Bedford Theatre (bedfordtheatre.co.uk) or The Place Theatre (theplacebedford.org.uk) check them out and book something 5.Stock up on unique Christmas presents (and treat yourself too) at the We Are Bedford Pop-Up Shop in Castle Quay we cant wait! Blogging here www.bedfordnetwork. co.uk and tweeting @bedfordnetwork

Here are The Clangers fave mo bros:

Freddie Mercury George Michael Cpt Jack Sparrow Nigel Mansell To find out more about Movember, to make a donation or to register your mo please check out uk.movember.com returned from New York City where he represented our town (and indeed our nation) in the New York Barber Battle 2. If you want to see just how insane this event is, check out Barber World TV on youtube. In front of over 1,000 spectators, and in an atmosphere akin to a world title fight, he came 2nd (yes, 2nd!!!) in Design Battle 2 Without Colour and has returned to our shores with a great bit of silverware. Speaking to Kade before he left for New York, the Clanger couldnt believe how relaxed he was. Barbering is massive in the US, much bigger than over here, but Im just looking forward to doing my best, making some new contacts and enjoying the atmosphere.

Jimi Hendrix Magnum PI (or indeed any Tom Selleck character) Salvador Dali

How Bedfords getting involved this moVEmBEr... There are loads of ways you can get

involved in Movember (even if you cant grow a mo, ladies!) so here are just few events that are taking place in Bedford to raise money and awareness of mens health charities.

For those in the know, Kade Kut is the

KADE KUt: HEs Got (AWARD-WINNING) DEsiGns on YoUr HEAD

coolhaus charity Auction:

Like the look of the rather marvellous mo on the front of The Clanger? Then why not get bidding in the Coolhaus auction. Items from local artists Stephen Unwin, Alastair Bright, Andy Wilkinson, Anne-Marie Stijelja and an iconic item of furniture donated by Coolhaus are all among the lots. Closed bidding is taking place throughout November followed by an auction on 26 November at the shop from 6pm 9pm (nibbles and drinks included!).

movember Gala night featuring PaulmalBarbara, the ouse Valley singles club and nina conti

Bedford Blues movember event

The last game of the month will see the whole club embracing Movember from the players mos to a charity auction taking place after the match. For more info: www.bedfordrugby.co.uk at 11am, & 1pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Trees will be available to buy 11am12pm on Monday 5th December for 10. The festival has given enormous pleasure to thousands of people as well as raising over 78,000 since it began in 2001. The money is shared equally between BHC and St Pauls Church. Many now view a trip to the Christmas Tree Festival as the start of Christmas! 30th November (10am-5pm) to Sunday 4th December (2pm-4.30pm) 2011 Entry 2.50 children under the age of 16yrs FREE

If you fancy a bit of Christmas shopping in our capital city this month, why not combine it with this Movember gala night at the Arts Theatre just off Leicester Square in Londons glittering West End? 70 5ft trees all decorated by voluntary services, organisations, local businesses and schools to the theme of Jubilation and Celebration. There will also be two Trees of Remembrance which have proved to be extremely popular since they were initiated in 2008. These special trees are decorated by members of the public, who write a message to a departed loved one and then hang it on one of the trees. The Ensemble of London will be giving a splendid concert on the Saturday night. A recent and popular addition to the Festival is the informal carol concerts performed by children from local schools

cHristmAs trEE FEstiVAL At st PAULs cHUrcH

ne of the highlights of the festive season in Bedford is the Christmas Tree Festival that has taken place at St Pauls Church since 2001. Established by Jeanette Hanling, Committee Member of Bedford Hospitals Charity (BHC), to raise funds for the then Primrose Appeal, she approached The Rev. Canon John Pedlar, Vicar of St Pauls Church, Bedford and the church became and has continued to be a splendid venue for the Festival. This years festival will comprise of

go-to guy if you want a great barber. OK, youre probably male, under 30 and are looking for something a bit more adventurous than a grade 1 all over if you seek him out, but considering hes just 23 and has won barber of the year at the King Barber competition in London for the last 2 years, whatever your age, you know your heads in very safe hands. Brought up in Putnoe, (Kades dad is former Bedford Town player Arthur Well, on behalf of Bedford, the Burgess) Kade attended Mark Rutherford Clanger would like to say a huge congratSchool and following his GCSEs he went ulations to Kade for making us proud of into aircraft engineering. I realised that yet another of our residents. And if you wasnt the career for me, so decided to want a new haircut, what better endorsehave a go a barbering, explains Kade. ment do you need? Hes internationally And what a great decision that was. renowned you know! I joined Kriss Kuts on Midland Road Tel: 07864 270422 and they really inspired me. I worked Kadekut@hotmail.co.uk my way up from sweeping the floors and @kadekut three and half years later I moved to Image Barbers in the Bus Station. In March this year, Kade decided to go it alone and set up in a room at the Venice Gym on Midland Road. Ive had fantastic support from my family especially my mum, so felt like now was the time to be my own boss. Ive got clients coming from morning til 10, 11pm at night. Its going better than I could have imagined. Not content with bossing the Kade is a cut above the rest! UK barber scene, Kade has just

I cant wait to see lots of sexy facial hair this month.

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ListinGs tHis noVEmBEr 2011
tuesday 1st
Those Magnificent Men Chocks away! for the hilarious, heartstopping story of Alcock & Brown and their first ever non-stop transatlantic flight. 7.30pm Bedford Theatre www.bedfordtheatre.co.uk Diamond Bingo Eyes down people! Its the Flower Pot bingo night. The Flower Pot tel: 296732 That Time of the Month Comedy Club Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com Flashback Roadshow Playing music from the 80s, 90s right up to the noughties. Come and join us celebrate Debbies big 30! The Fower Pot tel: 296732 Vintage Stuff Live music at The White Horse The White Horse, Newnham Avenue tel: 409306 Loaded Classic indie night. Expect fireworks from the decks! The Pad www.thepadbedford.com The Wholls + Underview Esquires Main Stage www.bedfordesquires.com Esquires Club Night Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com Light Alloy Live music from the 80s onwards The Kings Arms, St Marys Street tel: 354494 DJ Fat Lad @ The Exec DJ Fat Lad (aka Ian Congdon-Lee of In2Beats Radio & Grange Hill fame) 9pm til late The Exec Club tel: 401500

MOVEMBER 2011
Put your thinking caps on in aid of St John Ambulance The White Horse, Newnham Avenue tel: 409306 Open Mic night at The Kings Arms Steve Jones & friends host this evening of relaxed music and fun. The Kings Arms tel: 354494

Our venue, your theatre Established 1979, bringing the best in touring theatre to the heart of Bedford.
Bedford School, De Parys Avenue, MK40 2TU Box Office: 01234 269519 Website: www.bedfordtheatre.co.uk Admin Tel: 01234 362269 Email: admin@bedfordtheatre.co.uk

thursday 10th

Come and enjoy breakfast at Angelos. Full English, yummy pancakes and the cheapest tea & coffee this side of the river tel: 269961 Dinner bookings taken. 20 Castle Lane, Bedford www.cafeangelo.com

tuesday 1st - saturday 5th

Bouncers by John Godber Outrageous and hilarious parody of the club and disco scene. Lads on the lash, giggly girls & Hooray Henries are all portrayed by the eponymous bouncers. 7.30pm 9 The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road www.theplacebedford.org.uk

Juicebox showcase night Esquires - Dannys Bar www.bedfordesquires.com Jam Night with Mat Roberts Come and join in or just let the talented musicians of Bedford entertain you. The Flower Pot tel: 296732

Friday 11th

wednesday 2nd

POP UP SHOP!
28 Castle Lane Bedford (opposite Riverside Grill) Come and visit our glorious emporium of Bedford made goods run by Bedford crafters, designers and makers Open Mid November- Mid December Just in time for Christmas! www.wearebedford.co.uk

Showroom with a wide varity of antique furniture, pictures, sliver and pottery. We also carry out Antique Furniture Restoration

J Moore Restoration

The D Day Darlings Marking the 90th anniversary of the Royal British Legion, the delightful D Day Darlings are marking acrossing the UK performing The Songs That Won The War. A great sing-a-long event of nostalgia! 2pm Bedford Corn Exchange www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk Wednesday 2 - Sunday 6 Beer & Bangers Festival Try ales from 6 local breweries and theres different local sausage to sample every day. The White Horse, Newnham Avenue tel: 409306 Open Mic night at The Kings Arms Steve Jones & friends host this evening of relaxed music and fun. The Kings Arms tel: 354494

sunday 6th

thursday 3rd

Visit our website for more details of the services we offer www.jmooreantiques.co.uk 01480 406993

Charity Christmas Fair at The White Horse Christmas shopping from the comfort of your local pub! 10am - 7pm The White Horse, Newnham Avenue tel: 409306 Esquires Introducing Esquires - Dannys Bar www.bedfordesquires.com Jam Night with Mat Roberts Come and join in or just let the talented musicians of Bedford entertain you. The Flower Pot tel: 296732

Craft Fair at MS Therapy Centre Over 20 stalls selling everything from pickles and jams to quilts, fabric wreaths & furniture. Mainly local sellers with locally made goods. Includes lathe demonstration. Entry 1 (under 15s free). 10.30am - 3pm MS Therapy Centre, Barkers Lane tel: 325781 Sarahs Do Wop Dos Pop-up vintage hair salon as part of the Buttons & Bows stall 11am - 5pm Handmade & Vintage Market, Centre MK to book an appoinment email: curiosityshop4@hotmail.co.uk In Memoriam The Swan Theatre Company presents an evening of poetry The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road www.theplacebedford.org.uk Juicy Lucy Esquires - Dannys Bar www.bedfordesquires.com The Kings Arms Music Quiz Now in its 21st year, join John Cutler for this legendary music quiz. The Kings Arms tel: 354494

Sarahs Do Wop Dos Pop-up vintage hair salon at 40s Sweethearts Swingout to raise money for the Morning Star charity. Event tickets availabe from Rose Tinted Vintage, Clair Court Alix Perez - Drum & Bass Sessions The Pad www.thepadbedford.com Kain - Album launch event Esquires Main Stage www.bedfordesquires.com Mutiny club night Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com 40s Sweethearts Swingout Don your allied or civilian 40s garb and join the Gary Wood swing band for a night of nostalgia. The Addison Centre, Kempston Tickets: 01234 840880 Mat Roberts Duo Live musicThe Fower Pot tel: 296732 Friday Karaoke The Exec Club tel: 401500

saturday 12th

monday 7th

Friday 4th

Bedfordshire Family History Society Was Your Ancestor a Morris Dancer? Another opportunity to hear more on a fascinating local subject. 7.30pm (Nonmembers welcome) Drama Hall, Mark Rutherford School www.bfhs.org.uk The 1 Night Whip with The Eskimo Twins The Pad www.thepadbedford.com Exit Ten + Fei Comodo + Never Means Maybe Esquires Main Stage www.bedfordesquires.com Friday Karaoke The Exec Club tel: 401500 The Mighty Hub Whipley Esquires - Dannys Bar www.bedfordesquires.com Esquires Club Night Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com Ben Pool Live music. The Flower Pot tel: 296732 The Blockheads & The Selector See Pauline Blacks interview on the back page. Bedford Corn Exchange www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk

Bedford Film Society Presents: Abel (15) A young boy blurs reality with fantasy and takes on family responsibilites in the absence of his father. 8pm Bedford High School www.bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk The Kings Arms Quiz Night Flex those brain muscles & exercise that drinking arm! The Kings Arms tel: 354494 Tim Lapthorn One of the Countrys truly outstanding Pianists & he brings with him a bass player who holds the very same mantle: Arnie Sonogy. Bedford Arms, Bromham Rd, T:214656

Bunyan Meeting Christmas Craft Fair & Museum Open Day An opportunity to do some Christmas shopping and check out some culture as the Museum is holding an open day. Entry: 1 (includes free tea or coffee) 10am - 3pm Bunyan Meeting Room, Mill Street October Rose Rock classics from this covers band The Kings Arms, St Marys Street tel: 354494 Loaded The finest indie night in town The Pad www.thepadbedford.com Del Bromhams Blues Devils - live recording event! Esquires Main Stage www.bedfordesquires.com Acoustic singer/songwriter night Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com DJ Fat Lad @ The Exec DJ Fat Lad (aka Ian Congdon-Lee of In2Beats Radio & Grange Hill fame) 9pm til late The Exec Club tel: 401500 Hurricane Fly classica & modern rock The Fower Pot tel: 296732

sunday 13th

tuesday 8th

Bedford Film Society Presents: Abel (15) A young boy blurs reality with fantasy and takes on family responsibilites in the absence of his father. 8pm Bedford High School www.bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk Beer Appreciation Club Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com Diamond Bingo Eyes down people! Its the Flower Pot bingo night. The Flower Pot tel: 296732

saturday 5th

Sarahs Do Wop Dos Pop-up vintage hair salon as part of the Buttons & Bows stall 9am - 7pm Handmade & Vintage Market, Centre MK to book an appoinment email: curiosityshop4@hotmail.co.uk

wednesday 9th

Bedford Wrestling Specatacular! Non-stop action as the stars of the grappling game battle it out in Bedfords first winner-stays-in tournament. Great entertainment for the whole family! Bedford Corn Exchange www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk The King Bees Esquires - Dannys Bar www.bedfordesquires.com Soul on Sunday Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com The Kings Arms Music Quiz Now in its 21st year, join John Cutler for this legendary music quiz. The Kings Arms tel: 354494

Tea Dance Elegance abounds at the Corn Exchange as youre invited to take your partners for the afternoon tea dance. Bedford Corn Exchange www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk Charity Quiz

monday 14th

Bedford Film Society Presents: The Secret In Their Eyes (18) Argentinian film about a retired legal counselors hope to find closure on an resolved murder.

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

Bedford High School www.bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk The Kings Arms Quiz Night Flex those brain muscles & exercise that drinking arm! The Kings Arms tel: 354494 Florence Moore A young lady who is shaking the roots of how a double bass can be played. Support by the Nick Page Trio. Bedford Arms, Bromham Rd Tel: 214656 ford Choral Society on Facebook Dinosaur Disco The best motown and soul disco in town The Fower Pot tel: 296732 Soul Weaver Original tracks and rock covers The Kings Arms, St Marys Street tel: 354494 Sarahs Do Wop Dos Vintage hair parlour! Rose Tinted Vintage, Clair Court to book appointment email: curiosityshop4@hotmail.co.uk Don Broco + support Esquires Main Stage www.bedfordesquires.com DJ Fat Lad @ The Exec DJ Fat Lad (aka Ian Congdon-Lee of In2Beats Radio & Grange Hill fame) 9pm til late The Exec Club tel: 401500 Esquires Club Night Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com

MOVEMBER 2011
Friday 25th
Bedford Comedy Club Three top comedians, a compere and an optional dinner otion. Marvellous! Harpur Suite @ The Corn Exchange www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk The Dirty Youth + support Esquires Main Stage www.bedfordesquires.com The VIPeas Esquires - Dannys Bar www.bedfordesquires.com Hellfyre club night Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com Friday Karaoke The Exec Club tel: 401500 Spoonful Live blues & rock The Fower Pot tel: 296732

West Park Farm, Haynes, Bedford MK45 3RD Call Rachel on 01234 741983 or 07713 479398 www.theoldpiggery.co/
- A relaxed and picturesque setting - Good access to M1 and A1 - Travelling on to London Luton Airport & Milton Keynes - Activity (or pampering!) breaks

GUEST ACCOMMODATION

THE OLD PIGGERY

Come and visit us for .....

tuesday 15th

Bedford Film Society Presents: The Secret In Their Eyes (18) Argentinian film about a retired legal counselors hope to find closure on an resolved murder. Bedford High School www.bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk The Chapman Family + support Esquires Main Stage www.bedfordesquires.com Diamond Bingo Eyes down people! Its the Flower Pot bingo night. The Flower Pot tel: 296732

Ofcial Bedford Clanger Photography Creating unique photo libraries to showcase your people, places, processes and projects. Take a peek at www.mubsta.com THE PAD PRESENTS...

saturday 26th

sunday 20th

tuesday 15 - saturday 19

The Drowsy Chaperone A musical within a comedy, this awardwinning show combines mix ups, mayhen and a fun wedding. The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road www.theplacebedford.org.uk Open Mic night at The Kings Arms Steve Jones & friends host this evening of relaxed music and fun. The Kings Arms tel: 354494

Loaded Best indie night in town The Pad www.thepadbedford.com John Verity Band Esquires - Dannys Bar www.bedfordesquires.com The Kings Arms Music Quiz Now in its 21st year, join John Cutler for this legendary music quiz. The Kings Arms tel: 354494

wednesday 16th

monday 21st

thursday 17th

Cashier No 9 + Kowalski + Echoes of Age Esquires Main Stage www.bedfordesquires.com Esquires Introducing Esquires - Dannys Bar www.bedfordesquires.com Jam Night with Mat Roberts Come and join in or just let the talented musicians of Bedford entertain you. The Flower Pot tel: 294174

Bedford Film Society Presents: Biutiful (15) The story of Axbal, a man living in this world but able to see his death which guides his every move. Bedford High School www.bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk The Kings Arms Quiz Night Flex those brain muscles & exercise that drinking arm! The Kings Arms tel: 354494 Trumpeter Bruce Adams. Youve got to here him to believe what this man can do with a piece of brass pipe!! Bedford Arms, Bromham Rd Tel: 214656

tuesday 22nd

Friday 18th

Brass Band Concert in aid of the National Tremor Foundation Enjoy the wonderful sounds of the Bedford Town Band & The Salvation Army band at this charity event at the Salvation Army on Commercial Road. From 7.30pm. Tickets 5 The Salvation Army, Commerical Road 01234 341843 How Sweet It Is - Motowns Greatest Hits The sweet sound of Motown is back in Bedford for the 9th successive year. Over 50 years of this legendary label are remembered through the music of The Temptations, Little Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and more. Bedford Corn Exchange www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk Brillo! Live! The usual half-arsed skankin R&B from the Brillo boys. 7.45pm 3 The Ent Shed, Castle Road Friday Karaoke The Exec Club tel: 401500 Patrick Sweany + Jay Tamkin Band + Ben Smith Esquires Main Stage www.bedfordesquires.com Esquires Club Night Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com The Graduate ft. Dave Marks Live music from the 60s onwards T he Fower Pot tel: 296732

Bedford Film Society Presents: Biutiful (15) The story of Axbal, a man living in this world but able to see his death which guides his every move. Bedford High School www.bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk Diamond Bingo Eyes down people! Its the Flower Pot bingo night. The Flower Pot tel: 296732

tuesday 22nd - saturday 26th

The Wedding Singer Its the 80s. Hes a heart-broken wedding singer. Youve seen the film, now see the stage show! The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road www.theplacebedford.org.uk

Performance of Handels Messiah by Bedford Messiah Choir & soloists. Charity concert of this iconic choral piece in aid of Leukaemia & Lymphoma research Tickets 8.50 (concessions 7.50) including wine & mince pies. Bunyan Meeting Hall, Mill StreetTickets available from Central Box Office (tel: 01234 269519) or on the door Sarahs Do Wop Dos Vintage hair parlour! Rose Tinted Vintage,Clair Court. To book appointment email: curiosityshop4@hotmail.co.uk NCT Christmas Fayre Mince pies and shopping, plus refreshments and music classes to keep the little ones entertained! 50p entry Christ Church Hall, Denmark Street North Beds NCT Facebook group Loaded Finest indie night in Bedford The Pad www.thepadbedford.com Christmas shopping exhibitoin of antique furniture, antique maps and prints, silver and collectables. Three rooms of fab antiques including prints, pottery and glassware. Tea room open serving homemade cakes too. 10am - 5pm J Moore Restoration, College Farmhouse Workshops, Chawston Lane, Chawston tel: 01480 406993 www.jmooreantiques. co.uk King King + Thr3e Esquires Main Stage www.bedfordesquires.com Absolution club night Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com DJ Fat Lad @ The Exec DJ Fat Lad (aka Ian Congdon-Lee of In2Beats Radio & Grange Hill fame) 9pm til late The Exec Club tel: 401500 Dynaphone Records Live at the Flower Pot The Fower Pot tel: 296732

THE BLOCKHEADS & THE SELECTER FRI 4TH NOV

BEDFORD CORN EXCHANGE BEDFORD ESQUIRES

THE PINK FLOYD DIMENSION SAT 3RD DEC FROM THE JAM FRI 10TH FEB BEDFORD CORN EXCHANGE NEVILLE STAPLE FROM THE SPECIALS SAT 21ST APRIL
WWW.BEDFORDESQUIRES.COM

BEDFORD CORN EXCHANGE

WWW.THEBEDFORDCORNEXCHANGE.CO.UK

Take a fresh look at Bedford. 01234 359599

sunday 27th

wednesday 23rd

Tea Dance Put on your dancing shoes for the classiest afternoon in town! A warm welcome guaranteed. 2pm Bedford Corn Exchange www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk Ed Byrne Observational comedy supremo and star of Mock the Week and HIGNFY, Ed Byrne is back with a new show guaranteed to get big laughs. Bedford Corn Exchange www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk Open Mic night at The Kings Arms Steve Jones & friends host this evening of relaxed music and fun. The Kings Arms tel: 354494

Christmas shopping exhibitoin of antique furniture, antique maps and prints, silver and collectables. As Saturday but opening hours are 10am - 4pm J Moore Restoration, College Farmhouse Workshops, Chawston Lane, Chawston tel: 01480 406993 www.jmooreantiques. co.uk The Kings Arms Music Quiz Now in its 21st year, join John Cutler for this legendary music quiz. The Kings Arms tel: 354494 Denny McCaffery Band Esquires - Dannys Bar www.bedfordesquires.com

The Kings Arms tel: 354494 Two great sax men Colin Watling on Tenor and George Grant on Alto. Bedford Arms, Bromham Rd Tel: 214656

The Kings Arms tel: 354494 Traditional Irish Music Come along & enjoy the realaxed craic of traditional Irish music in the bar The Kings Arms tel: 354494

tuesday 29th

monday 28th

saturday 19th

Bedford Choral Society Concert Brahms & Faure choral pieces will be accompanied by the Bedford Sinfonia (conductor Ian Smith) Bedford Corn Exchange 01234 269519 or search Bed-

thursday 24th

Jam Night with Mat Roberts Come and join in or just let the talented musicians of Bedford entertain you. The Flower Pot tel: 296732

Bedford Film Society Presents: Black Swan (15) A dancer wins the lead in Swan Lake but slowly loses her mind. 8pm Bedford High School www.bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk Open Mic Big Band Xtra Jam From 7.30pm. The White Horse, Newnham Avenue tel: 409306 The Kings Arms Quiz Night Flex those brain muscles & exercise that drinking arm!

Bedford Film Society Presents: Black Swan (15) A dancer wins the lead in Swan Lake but slowly loses her mind. 8pm Bedford High School www.bedfordfilmsociety.org.uk Borderline:FIRE + support Esquires - Dannys Bar www.bedfordesquires.com Diamond Bingo Eyes down people! Its the Flower Pot bingo night. The Flower Pot tel: 294174

wednesday 30th

Wind Down Wednesday feat. Rue Royale Mid-week chill-out Esquires - Holy Molys www.bedfordesquires.com Open Mic night at The Kings Arms Steve Jones & friends host this evening of relaxed music and fun.

We really want to hear about your events so we can spread the word to our fellow Bedfordians. Cost is 1 per listing. Please email your details to thebedfordclanger@gmail.com with Listing as the subject by 19th November. Want to advertise? Then wed love to hear from you too.

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

MOVEMBER 2011

Your Local:

tHE BEDForD Arms

Since starting this feature, The Clanger has realised that the secret to running a successful pub relies on a number of factors. Youve got to have good beer, youve got to have good punters and youve got to offer something different. Oh, and youve got to love what you do.
And Tom and Laura at the Bedford Arms offer all of the above and more. Situated on Bromham Road, The Bedford Arms looks and feels like a great traditional pub. Its got a piano (tunedish), its got real ale (alongside your basic Fosters, Red Stripe, Youngs Bitter, Wells Bombardier and Directors) and its got amazing hanging baskets. But its the effort that Laura and Tom put into their Tom & Laura: Arm In Arm

Bromham Road, Bedford, tel: 214656 w: thebedfordarms.co.uk

Monday night and we have a full house every week, says Tom. The quality of the performers is outstanding and were now getting a reputation for being the place to see jazz in Bedford. For funk and soul fans, the Bedford Arms is a dance-floor mecca when DJ collective Our Kind of Music set up shop. This is one of the friendliest nights in town, says Laura. DJs Jay, Alex and Matt play music that they know you wont find anywhere else in the town centre and it attracts yet more people to our pub. Theyre DJing on New Years Eve til 2.30am, so make sure you get here early to make the most of a traditionally brilliant night and a free buffet! If youre after more cerebral pursuits, then why not join the Bedford Arms Book Club? Set up by local Ian Sturgess, the club has around 20 members and is

events that makes the Bedford Arms stand out from the crowd. People come here because they feel at home, we have good beer and we offer something out of the ordinary. Whether its music, clubs or our charity events, whatever we put on people know itll be Busy, but not elusive hes keen to make a good impression, to live up to his familys name in Bedford. This is his business, and its cost him to make it look this good. In the kitchen theres every modern appliance. Here, unlike most chain restaurants, theyre making their own fresh pasta, their own Italian ice cream and while the lunchtime menu (di mezzo giorno) is about the same price as a happy meal its indescribably better. Better for you physically, culturally, morally. Choice is what you have

top quality, explains Laura. Having worked in the pub trade since the age of 18, Laura took on the Bedford Arms with a wealth of experience. She and Tom have made their own mark since taking over and words spreading We started putting on live jazz on a

always looking for more, so ring or pop in one night to find out more. What could be better than nursing a pint while you debate your latest read? Yet another great night at the BA! With crafts becoming more and more popular, the Bedford Arms has established a Stich & Bitch night. Anyone can pitch up with their latest project and enjoy a chat, a craft and a drink. Pure joy! And what about if you want a Sunday night pint and a curry? Then let Tom & Laura pour the drinks while you check out the New Bombay menu and theyll order your food in for you. You can enjoy your bhaji and bhuna without leaving the bar. Alongside everything else, weve adopted Help for Heroes as our dedicated charity, said Laura. Weve raised over 4,500 in just two years and on 17 December Tom will be taking part in a sponsored Space Hop around Bedford. Feel free to come and lend your support as were not sure how far hell get. At the moment, even getting to the Barley Mow looks like a challenge! So why do Tom and Laura love the Bedford Arms? We are so lucky to have such wonderful customers. The standard of punters is exceptional and they are generous to a fault. From 21 year olds to 81 year olds, if youre up for a good time, then youre welcome here!

sPAGHEtti JoHns cAFE AnD GELAtEriA

By Stephen Bywater

Spaghetti Johns looks like a successful chain restaurant. It stands slick, clean and crisp in Castle Lane, like an Alpine Wagamamas or Neapolitan Gelateria.
he continental feel is part Swiss, with its red and white minimalist interior, but its predominantly Italian; Italian food, Italian wine, Italian chef and, as with every chain, a mix of Brazilians and Austrians floating in and out of the kitchen. But this isnt part of a chain run a by a faceless corporation with a liking for incongruous names. Spaghetti Johns Gianni is twenty-eight, dark-haired, lean, and tightly coiled with the energy and passion of youth. Hes Rushmore educated, hardworking and willing to pitch his dream. What he wants is to see people enjoying themselves, eating torta, drinking coffee. Its a cafe; informal, clean, light. The food is taken seriously, but Gianni wants people to breeze in for an esspresso or an ice cream. The light lunch is there if you want it, but the customer is king. If its not what you want then Giannis hurting.
Photos by: Shaun Armstrong

Photos by: Shaun Armstrong

PHoEnix trADinG LEnDs st cUtHBErts commUnitY sociEtY A HAnD

If you want an easy way to buy your Christmas cards and help a local Bedford community group, then look no further than Phoenix Tradings Gemma Rogers. Gemma has offered to donate 10% of all sales made through her website in November to the St Cuthberts Community Society. Not only does Phoenix Trading sell Christmas cards, they also have a range of greetings cards, gift wrap and note cards too. St Cuthberts Community Society is responsible for the St Cuthberts Hall on Newnham Street/Castle Road and achieved great community support to secure the use of the hall for local residents. To view the Phoenix Trading range, and to make an order that will benefit the St Cuthberts Community Society, please visit: www.phoenix-trading.eu/ web/gemmarogers

rankly, the Clanger would rather spend less time travelling and more time relaxing. Alright, just up the A6 might seem a bit close, but The Old Piggery could be in rural Wales with its fabulous views, location on a working arable farm and its proximity to beautiful countryside. If you want to get away from it all, enjoy walks, bike rides, horse riding and grab a

Who says you have to travel far afield to have a holiday?

LUxUrY B&B on oUr DoorstEP LUcKY Us!

chance to explore our beautiful countryside then why not book a weekend break in Haynes. The breakfasts are pretty yummy too. Hometown tourism doesnt get much closer than this! Feeling crafty? Then on December 1st, Sarah Adams of Gosh Patisserie will be holding a cupcake decorating class at The Old Piggery. Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment! www.theoldpiggery.co or contact us on 01234 742142. load of players down to Bedford Park every Saturday morning to create a Tennis Hub, explains Neil Frankel, Riverside Tennis Clubs Director of Tennis. There are tons of people, both young and old in the town who watch and play tennis but usually have to rely on a couple of mates in order to get a game with Beacon Tennis, this is no longer the case. Not only will players be able to come down to meet other like-minded individuals but well be providing all the equipment necessary. Theyll be help on hand from Riversides coaching team to help organise everyone and can also iron out your dodgy backhand!! Beacon Tennis kicks off with a (metaphorical) bang on 5th November 2011 10am 12pm. For more info on how to join the Beacon Project, call Neil Frankel, Riverside Tennis Club Director of Tennis on 07989 113514 or send us an email at doc@ riversidetennisbedford.co.uk

its tEnnis timE For ALL

Set aside your preconceived ideas about tennis being for toffs as The Riverside Tennis Club has developed the Beacon Tennis initiative as a way of bringing the game to the community.
n just three easy steps you can develop your game under the tuition of some of the towns top tennis coaches at the Bedford Park courts every Saturday morning. So heres what you get: 1. Two weeks free trial 2. 50% discount on your first term 3. Great value membership after your first term (plus taster session at Riverside Tennis Club) The programme is in partnership with Bedford Borough Council and the Lawn Tennis Association and is a great way of getting fit. The Beacon Project is affordable, easy access and aims to bring a whole

here. With Tris de Bruschette one lightly toasted triangle is smothered in borlotti beans and tuna, another with buffalo mozzarella and pesto, the last covered in finely chopped tomato and basil. The flavours are subtle, fresh, unintimidating. Olive oil is lightly drizzled over the primi, as it is the main course or secondi. With the lunchtime menu theres a choice of three primis, five secondis. For the

main its Mafaldine Riccie con Salchicha e Cavolo, ribbon shaped pasta with Italian spicy sausage and toscan cabbage. The smell is the first thing that hits you; earthy and warm; an autumnal allotment on a sunny afternoon. The sausages have just the right amount of kick and fresh pasta has a taste and texture that makes all others seem a poor substitute. And what about the ice cream , and why call it Spaghetti Johns? These are things you have to find out for yourself unless youve tried the best Italian ice cream, have come to expect more flavours than its possible to remember and already know the inimitable Gianni.

We all scream for ice-cream!

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

MOVEMBER 2011
I hate to start sounding like Martha Stewart, who always recommends stuff like getting your lawn mower serviced in the winter, which none of us ever do. But it really is worth getting any outdoor Christmas decorations out this month for a pre-festive MOT. It may be that you havent got around to taking them down from last year. In that case, either a) give yourself a pat on the back that youre ahead of the game for Christmas 2011, or b) sink into a pit of despair at confirmation you are a complete layabout. I suggest a). Checking the lights is a boring job. But if this is something youve neglected year after year, the task may be enlivened by the frisson of fear that comes with knowing you are at imminent risk of an electric shock. Its also worth doing now so you can replace any duff bulbs (or designs those strings of icicles are SO late 90s) before that tipping point sometime in December where the only things left in Homebase are a Santa flashing his bum or snot-green fairy lights. Other jobs for November: Its time to batten down the hatches make any repairs to dodgy shed doors or wobbly water butts before a storm makes things worse, and tidy away anything that could be damaged or whipped around the garden by snow and wind, from childrens toys to bamboo canes; add insulation to worm composters or move them to a frost-free place; dont just feed the birds, make sure they have a source of fresh water on freezing days; insulate greenhouses with bubble wrap and wrap borderline tender plants such as tree ferns and Musa basjoo in horticultural fleece; protect winter and spring vegetable crops such as purple sprouting broccoli and cabbages with netting but make sure its solid enough to withstand marauding pigeons and snowstorms. Garden writer, editor and blogger http://perrone.blogs.com/horticultural http://guardian.co.uk/gardening-blog @janeperrone

noVEmBEr in tHE GArDEn

By Jane Perrone gardening editor of the Guardian

This month theres extra brownie points for anyone who spots me mooching around one of Bedfords green spaces carrying a large rake and an even larger sack.

Regular readers of this column will be

well aware by now that I am a fan of all things free. And things dont get any freer than leaf mould. I mentioned this stuff briefly at the end of my last column but its worth banging the drum for a great soil improver and mulch. Dont be put off by the name: although it is made from rotted leaves, leaf mould is way more pleasant to handle than manure (which is still a bit of a gamble due to the ongoing problem of contamination with residues of the herbicide aminopyralid). The trouble is, you have to be in leaf mould for the long game collect loads of leaves now and it will take one or two years before the finished product is raring to go. But once you get into a bit of an autumn leaf mould groove, when youre collecting one bag of leaves to start the process, youll be harvesting last years bag to spread on the soil. For gods sake dont use a leaf blower, unless you want to look like a complete

idiot. No, a good solid lawn rake will work beautifully and give you an upper body workout at the same time. What, youre shot of time? In that case, simply run your lawn mower (with the grass catcher attached) over the leaves this has the benefit of chopping them up a bit to aid the rotting process, and your lawn gets a trim at the same time. Dont touch the ones that have landed in your flowerbeds theyll rot down and make a handy effort-free mulch. If you dont have leaves piling up on your lawn, you can always collect some from pavements, parks, anywhere theres trees just watch out for rubbish and dog mess. Stick them in a plastic sack, make some holes in it and squirrel it away in a corner behind the sheds ideal. Oh, and avoid holly leaves as these leathery fellows remain resolutely spiky to the end. Useless though it is for leaf mould, holly is on my mind at the moment. It makes a brilliant cat deterrent: just what I need to tackle the tabby that likes to sit outside my lounge windowsill of an evening, waiting to pounce on the sparrows roosting in the pyracantha outside my front door. The thud as it hits the gravel is annoyingly similar to the sound of a child falling out of bed. I plan to attach some holly twigs to the sill which should deny the cat its perch the same practice applies to newly sown or dug veg beds, favourites for cats looking for an outdoor litter tray.

where Bedfords Anne Frank tree is located, how many of you could name the spot, let alone know what kind of tree it is or when it was planted? The tree, a white horse chestnut, stands around 20ft tall on the edge of Russell Park, halfway between the entrances to Pembroke and Bower streets. A metal plaque sadly partly obscured by some kind of white substance - reads: ANNE FRANKS TREE TO COMMEMMORATE ANNE FRANK AND ALL THE CHILDREN KILLED IN WAR AND CONFLICT IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY PLANTED ON 19TH MAY 2000 BY CAROLE MAXWELL ELLIS MAYOR OF BEDFORD. So, this much was clear to anyone who bothers to read the sign: the tree is a memorial to Anne Frank, the Jewish girl made famous by the diary she wrote while in hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War Two. But why a horse chestnut, and why was it planted in Bedford? A series of phone calls and a trip or two to the library later, and the facts became clear. First I tracked down the then-mayor who planted the tree, Carole Maxwell Ellis. Ellis recalled planting the tree but suggested I contacted Graham Hayes, who was assistant director of administration at the Bedford Borough Council, as it was at the time of the planting. They recalled that the tree was a council initiative aimed at marking Holocaust Memorial Day (http://hmd.org.uk). The choice of a horse chestnut could have been justified on the beauty of this flowering tree along, but the tree holds a meaning too. For that we have to go back to Anne Franks hiding place in Amsterdam. One of the only things she could see from the attic window was a white horse chestnut tree. She wrote on 13 May 1944: Our chestnut tree is in full bloom. Its covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year. The tree became a symbol for Anne Franks story, and continued to stand until August last year when it was felled in a storm after succumbing to bleeding canker, a disease that threatens all horse chestnuts, including those in Bedford. I was surprised that it took such an effort to uncover the origins of a memorial so recently created: unless we all notice these markers in our town, they are hidcakes. For further info email: info@jmooreantiques.co.uk www.jmooreantiques.co.uk becomes ever more important as we get older and this exercise specifically targets the muscles needed to help. From the very same upright-seated position as exercise one, reach the arms forward at shoulder level. Draw a slow breath in, and as you breath out, press away from the chair into a standing position, keeping your back strong and straight. Pause in standing for 1-2 seconds, squeezing the bottom muscles together, before slowly returning to the starting position. Repeat 5 times. ExERCISE THREE, POSTERIOR THIGH STRETCH. Whilst this looks exactly like exercise one there is a key difference. In the same position as the previous two exercises, straighten one leg until it is as close to -or is- parallel to the floor. At this point, your toes are more than likely to be pointing

If I asked you to tell me

BEDFORDS AnnE FrAnK trEE: HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT by Jane Perrone

AntiQUE EVEnt

Ralph Moss Antiques and Kevin Welch of Copperplate will be on hand to advise and guide customers through three rooms of antiques including furniture, silver, antique maps, prints, pottery, glassware

A trio of craftsmen will be at the college Farmhouse workshops in Chawston this month to offer a Christmas shopping exhibition of antiques. Gwyn Williams of J Moore Restoration,
and collectiables. Taking place on the weekend of 26th & 27th November the exhibition will be bending and straightening. It does therefore require ample strength to help people climb stairs, bend down to pick things up or even just walking around. Unfortunately, people perhaps dont realise the importance of their knees until suffering from an injury or a disease, the most common of which is osteoarthritis brought about by lifes general wear and tear. Here are three chair based exercises that when performed each day seek to keep the knees a little stronger. Its best to do them after you have been moving about for a couple of hours in the day, and have a glass of water to hand to keep hydrated. ExERCISE ONE, LEG ExTENSIONS. open from 10-5pm on Saturday and 104pm on Sunday. In addition, a tea room is open serving tea, coffee and homemade Seated on a supportive chair (dinner chair or stool, opposed to a sofa or large deep armchair), with a good posture (chest up, shoulders over hips), have the feet hip width apart on the floor so the knees are bent to 90 degrees. Take a slow breath in and then as you breathe out, straighten one leg in front of you until its close to -or is- parallel with the floor. Maintain gentle breathing as you hold this leg extension for between 3-5 seconds, then return the foot to the starting position. Perform 5 times on each leg. To save efforts, you can perform the exercise one repetition at a time alternating between legs but be sure you complete 5 repetitions on each leg before moving on to exercise two. ExERCISE TWO, SIT-TO-STANDS. The ability to help ourselves out of chairs

den in plain sight. It turns out, though, that Bedford has another strong link with Anne Frank. During my hunt I discovered that the UK charity the Anne Frank Trust has a space in Melbourne House on Kingsway, right in our town, where it stores its touring exhibitions. The Trust is inviting schools and youth groups to visit and find out more about its namesake at a special Anne Frank Festival this month, on 15-17 November and 22-24 November. I spoke to Val Ross, the Trusts regional programme manager, who hadnt heard of the tree either: this is one well-hidden memorial! There are two exhibitions for young people to see: one is Anne Frank & Family a set of family photographs taken by Annes father Otto Frank, and Take a Stand,an exhibition designed by young people that looks at the issues of equalityand justice. If you are interested in finding out more about the exhibitions or arranging a visit, you can email Val on valr@annefrank.org.uk. But what of Bedfords other horse chestnut trees? A call to Ajay Joshi, the senior tree officer at the council revealed that, like the rest of the country, Bedfords trees are under a two-pronged attack from a moth larva and a bacterial disease. The leaf miner larvae damage the trees leaves, making them brown and wrinkled by July every year, but not putting the life of the tree at risk. It is bacterial disease, bleeding canker, which could eventually prove fatal for the stately trees that dot the Embankment, London Road and Rothsay Road, as it did for Anne Franks original tree. So what to do? Ajay Joshi told me the strategy is to manage affected trees by removing branches damaged by the disease. If we can keep a tree going for a number of years we will try to maintain it as much as we can but in some cases the trees will give up their clogs quickly and we have no alternative but to fell them. And until a treatment for bleeding canker is found, its unlikely that more horse chestnuts will be planted in their place. How sad: lets hope scientists find a cure for this disease. For the moment, though, Bedfords Anne Frank tree, while its leaves are disfigured by the leaf miner, continues to grow strongly. One of the few times of the year when the tree comes to peoples attention is when people gather there to mark Holocaust Memorial Day: the next is on January 27 2012. Next time you visit Russell Park, take a moment to track down the tree and remember Anne Frank.

College Farmhouse Workshops, Chawston Lane, Chawston. Bedford. MK44 3BH 01480 406993 forward, reverse that and point the toes either towards the ceiling or indeed towards you a little more if your have the movement at the ankle. You will start to feel a mild stretching of muscles down the back of your leg, normally at the back thigh but for some slightly lower. We are lengthening a muscle that if particularly tight affects knee health quite substantially. To have strong healthy knees is not just about exercises like those here. Knees also prefer a sensible weight bearing down on them so managing your calorie intake is key. Combine some walking with these exercises and a little dietary control should ensure at the very least the ability for some pain-free shoelace tying.....! Gerards blog: madhealthorg.blogspot. com

nicE & Kn-EAsY

BY GERARD GRAY CSCS Is it me or as we get older does the ability to bend down on one or both knees to perform something simple like tying a shoelace, for example, seem to be a little more difficult? The knees may get a little more wrinkly as we get older and the passion for wearing shorts perhaps a little dimmer, but none-the-less strong and active knees are important for each of us to protect posture, health and general wellness. The knee joint is the link between the more mobile hip and ankle joints. Whereas its relatively easy to move the hip and ankle in quite large circular motions, the knees principal movement is one of Put your back into it, Jane!

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

tHE sELEctor
The Selecter, one of the pioneers of the Ska revival of the late 70s and early 80s, are coming to Bedford. Always political and with a focus on BEDFORD CORN EXCHANGE
Back then, they gave a voice to Britains disaffected youth. With their new album Made in Britain, they address social & political issues confronting the country today. As for their upcoming show, we can expect more than just three minutes of heroics. Pauline confirms that someone once described a Selecter gig as conspiring to make dancing the only way to wall and they continue to fill the dance floor when playing live. Commenting on the content of the show Pauline explains We play a selection from the first album, Too Much Pressure, right through to tracks off the new album. Its a very powerful show at the moment. We still do our songs with a lot of intent and strongly believe ... that unity is so much better than the alternative. The Selecter will be supporting The Blockheads. Pauline describes the bands long history with the headline act: We met them on Top of the Pops just after our bass guitarist and keyboard player had left...We were about to record an album and Ian (Dury) says Do you wanna use Norman? and we all say YES. The following weekend Ian Dury and fellow Blockhead band member Norman Watt-Roy were holed up with Pauline and the others in a Coventry hotel. This culminated in Norman playing bass on two tracks on The Selecters second album. Continuing to discuss other acts, Pauline explains how a planned tribute to Amy Winehouse came at an unfortunate time. Wed been playing Amys song Back to Black live for over a year and decided to release it as a double-A side with our new single as a tribute to her interest in 2-tone and as a thank you for helping to put Ska back in the public eye. In the event on the day they were due to release the download version, the news broke of Amys untimely death and the band cancelled the release as a mark of respect. If you want to read more about The Selecter, Pauline has recently published a critically acclaimed book, Black by Design. She explains, I just wanted to lay it bare and honestly present a history of the band that wasnt anecdotal. I didnt want to write celebrity crap, but wanted people to talk about the issues of multiculturalism in Britain and what is to be mixed Pauline Black sings Back to Black

MOVEMBER 2011

multicultural Britain, like all great pop bands they evoked the era in which they flourished. The Clangers Cory Tallant talks to lead singer Pauline Black, whose vocals put the humour and optimism back into Ska. With Paulines unique voice and rudegirl style, The Selecter released some of the defining songs of British Skas most prolific era, including the likes of On My Radio, Three Minute Hero and Missing Words. Pauline explains We were different. We brought to the table a lot more of what we were talking about than a lot of the other bands. Their peers 30 years ago were The Specials & Madness, also on the 2-tone label.

race and in this country. The Blockheads and very special guests The Selecter Ft. Pauline Black & Gaps Hendrickson come to The Bedford Corn exchange on Friday November 4th. Made in Britain by The Selecter is out

now on Vocaphone Recordss. Black by Design: A 2-Tone Memoir by Pauline Black is out now published by Serpents Tail.

Beer: The cause of and the solution to all of lifes problems*

cHALLEnGE DAViD

A DRAWING A MONTH by David Litchfield

Here is this months drawing. It is. of course, A sloth juggling television ariels. Suggested by Llyod Lugsden.

18tH cEntUrY BEEr FEstiVAL At BEDForD swAn rEAL mUsic, rEAL ALE AnD tAstE rEAL FooD
Bedford Swan Hotel will be hosting an 18th Century beer and food festival from November 3rd - 6th that promises to be a real 21st century treat.

The hotels Coach Room will be filled to overflowing with 30 real ales, ciders and perries as well as locally-sourced Taste Real Food dishes.

On Thursday 3rd November guests can enjoy a celebration of the Earl of Sandwichs eponymous creation with White Park Sirloin. Sausage fans should head along on Friday 4th to grab a banger with their beer and to enjoy the sounds of the 10 piece Decibels of Bedford Town Band - local musicians with an international reputation. Bedfords very own Pearl Handled Revolver will be rocking the Bedford Swan on Saturday 5th along with Merry Ale and the chance to sample and buy Taste Real Food products. All events are open from noon til 1am. Things calm down a bit on Sunday 6th with live jazz to accompany your Sunday lunch. There will also be an 18th century style feast table featuring Gloucester old spot pork and Greensand Ridge lamb. Yum! a London and Bedford Salvation Army band for many years until Essential Tremor prevented him from playing at his best. During his lifetime he toured Europe with the band and played on many recordings that they made. Sadly he died last year. A band festival seems a fitting tribute to dad as music was such a big part of his life, say his family. We hope to raise much needed funds and awareness for the National Tremor Foundations work. Music on the night will be provided by Bedford Salvation Army Band and Bedford Town Band. The National Tremor Foundation (NTF) offers help for people suffering from Essential Tremor, a debilitating conThe Bedford Clanger would not have been possible without the quite exceptional talents of the following people: Designer: Marisa Straccia Photography: Shaun Armstrong (www.mubsta.com)

Lets face it, after all that ale and scran youll probably not want to move, so why not get a room from 35.00 per person. Theres more food too, as brekkies included! Entrance is just 3 per head, which includes a branded glass and beer guide (CAMRA and Taste Real Food Members get in free). Call (01234) 346656 or www.bedfordswanhotel.co.uk Join Taste Real Food at www.tasterealfood.com Oh yes, and if its chocolate that you love, then why not try the Bedford Swans chocolate afternoon tea? Chocolate scones, muffins, choc chip cookies, a lovely squidgy choccy thing and a pain au chocolat all washed down with a hot chocolate. Whats not to like!

Congratulations! If you would like to suggest something for David to draw in our next issue, please email thebedfordclanger@gmail. com by 19th November and if youre chosen you will WIN a signed print of your picture.

sALVAtion ArmY AnD town BAnD Join toGEtHEr For cHAritY mEmoriAL concErt

dition with no known medical intervention currently available. With symptoms similar to Parkinsons Disease, with shaking often beginning in the dominant hand, sufferers often become ashamed of their problem and can become isolated and withdrawn. The concert will be held at the Salvation Army Congress Hall on Commercial Road on Friday 18th November at 7.30pm. All tickets are 5 and to book please call 01234 341843. In addition, The Salvation Army Carol Concert at the Corn Exchange on Sunday 4th December will also be in aid of the NTF, so put that in your diary too! Contributors:David Litchfield, Jane Perrone, Gerrard Gray, Cory Tallant, Stephen Bywater, Kathy Brown, Carloine Wise & Sue Gough.

FAtHEr cHristmAs is cominG!

A local family has pledged to support a little known charity in memory of their muchmissed father who was a renowned local musican.

Richard Edwards loved music and was principal euphonium player of both

The festive season is fast approaching and what better way to get in the mood than to join Santa and his little helpers to switch on the Christmas lights on 29th November. Not only will the main man be here, but hes also bringing six of his reindeer too! And if youre a fan of Disney Pixars Cars, then you can meet some of the stars of the film who will be collecting for Cancer Research UK. Cant wait til next month for your Clanger fix? Then check out the blog: thebedfordclanger.wordpress. com or search for the Bedford Clanger at scribd.com

Festivities start at 5pm with Father Christmas switching on the lights at the Christmas tree in Harpur Square. At 6.15pm hell head along to the Embankment where he will officially switch on the Christmas lights. As ever, a spectacular firework display will round off proceedings with a bang. With a theme of Aladdin, lets hope we our Christmas wishes are granted! Wed love to hear from you, so why not get in touch? You can email thebedfordclanger@gmail.com

A BIG BEDFORD THANK YOU

*Quote by Homer Simpson