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2 The Bedford Clanger • January 2019

Letter from the EditorHappy new year!

Welcome to 2019 and to our first ever January edition. Team Clanger normally breaks up for Christmas as soon as the December issue hits the streets, but this year we’re bringing you a monthly dose of the Bedford Independent too, for 12 months of the year. Hurrah!

This January, join our New Year’s Revolution. It’s five years since we first launched our manifesto (designed by Kristina Bullen), so we thought it was about time we rolled it out again – with a little bit of a refresh.

Shop LocaL

Yeah, we know we bang on about this all year, but now that Christmas is over, our town centres need even more TLC. It’s not just about indies; if we want to keep Debenhams, M&S, WH Smiths and New Look in our town, we need to shop there. Use them or lose them.

ViSit a MuSeuM

The Higgins, John Bunyan and Panacea museums are all right on our doorstep in the Cultural Quarter. Spend a day and immerse yourself in the history and heritage of Bedford. Lots of places to stop for lunch nearby too!

LoVe your town

Be proud of our town. Support the Blues and the Eagles (other sports teams are available), drink in your local pub, go to events, walk along the Embankment, hire a boat on the River Great Ouse, take loads of photos and make people who don’t live here jealous of your Insta grid.

uSe the Library

With hundreds of free events throughout the year, plus books, CDs and magazines to borrow, it’s time to love your local library.

watch LiVe MuSic

Esquires is at the heart of live music in Bedford, having hosted Elbow, Coldplay, George Ezra and Idles over the years. The

residency of the Philharmonia at the Corn Exchange brings top quality classical music to Bedford and St Paul’s church hosts free weekly recitals. Add to that, live music in pubs and bars most nights of the week (rock, blues, jazz, soul, r&b – you name it) and there’s something for every musical taste.

Keep bedford tidy

Nothing gets Bedfordians going more than a good Facebook rant about rubbish. Be the difference, and bin litter if you see it. And definitely don’t drop it.

Support your LocaL theatre

Performance, comedy, dance, film screenings, NT Live screenings, children’s shows, magicians, puppetry, improv and more. There’s so much to see at the Place, the Quarry, the Corn Exchange and Sharnbrook Mill Theatre.

becoMe a hoMetown touriSt

Hire a boat at the Longholme, visit St Paul’s Church, walk to Danish Camp, cycle to Sandy, learn about the Panaceans, browse the Eagle Gallery, visit Marston Forest Centre, take a guided walk around Foster Hill Cemetery, join the tour guides around the town centre, go wakeboarding at Box End or sky-diving in Thurleigh. Seriously, do you need to ever leave Bedford?

Got something to add to the manifesto? Join the revolution on our Facebook page, Instagram and twitter #bedfordrevolution

Editor: Erica Roffe @bedfordclanger thebedfordclanger@gmail.com

Commercial Director: Julia Crofts @clangerads bedfordclangerads@gmail.com

Design: Curtis Reeve curtisreevedesign@gmail.com instagram: @cr.eativedesign

Music: Lloyd Lugsden @lloydlug

Theatre: Paula Walker @pauliwauli2

Website: Alec East @ Narrative Industries

Team Clanger

NEW YEAR REVOLUTION 2019 MANIFESTO

The Bedford Clanger • January 2019 3

Deliveroo for ducks at the Longholme

As you may have read in the Bedford Independent, wildfowl on our rivers and ponds benefit from being fed by the public, especially during the winter months, when their

natural food sources are harder to find. The RSPB recommend specialist food plus lettuce and potatoes, peas and grain as well as traditional bread.

If you’re visiting the Longholme this winter, they now stock duck pellets which won’t bloat the wildfowl or discourage their natural foraging. “We posted about this online and one customer suggested we offer the service via Deliveroo who we partner with for our home deliveries,” said the Longholme’s Thomas Healey. “So we contacted Deliveroo who took a while before they believed it was a genuine request! Happily, they agreed it was a good idea and we have now started to offer the ‘feed the ducks’ option online.

“When customers order they can add this service for just £1.30 and then the staff at the café will take the reserved pellets to feed the ducks at the lake. If on the day the customer orders the ducks can’t be found we will try again the next day until they get their fair share. It’s really a novel approach at combining the traditions and feel good feeling you get when feeding ducks now available for those who can’t make it to the lake to do it personally.”

thelongholme.com

Lots to celebrate at the Four Counties Wedding AwardsBedford bridal businesses brought home the silverware at the recent Four Counties Wedding Awards, with local winners in six of the 16 categories.

Gemma Lander of the White Emporium was the winner in the Venue Stylist category, Alison Eldridge of Townhouse Bridal (Roxton) won Bridal Retailer of the year and Cat Lane was crowned photographer of the year. Vintage Suit Hire earned highly commended in the menswear category, Rachel Hutcheson Bella Occasions took highly commended in the newcomer category while Nikkita Palmer Designs were ‘one to watch’ in the prop hire category.

Now in its fifth year, the Four Counties Wedding Awards (4CWA) were founded by Bedford-based Tracy Butterfield. “I was looking for a way to recognise and reward the hard work of wedding suppliers locally,” said Tracy. “The awards cover Beds, Herts, Bucks and Cambs and the standard of the competition is exceptional. The awards have increased year on year with this year’s gala ceremony attended by 220 guests who come to network, party and pick up their awards.

4CWA reopens for their 2019 nominations on 4 May. Good luck, Bedford!

Five new blue plaques for bedford

4 The Bedford Clanger • January 2019

Sister Fanny Eagles 1836 – 1907 (9 Bromham Road)In 1869 she was admitted as a Church of England Deaconess by the Bishop of Ely. She used her home in St Loyes, Bedford, together with a stable loft in Allhallows Lane, to begin her work

with the poor, which grew steadily. Following a gift of a house at 9 Bromham Road by a benefactor, she set up St Etheldreda’s Home for Orphans. Sister Fanny became the Lady Superior of what was called the Ely Diocesan Home of Deaconesses in Bedford.

Amy Walmsley 1867 – 1928 (14 The Crescent) Was appointed Principal of the private Froebel Kindergarten School & Training College in November 1895 and began work in January 1896. She was to stay as Principal for 32 years, during which time she developed and enlarged the college by setting up halls of residence for all its trainee teachers and built up its reputation for high standards in teacher training for young children. Over 900 of her student teachers, once qualified, taught not only in this country but around the world.

(Wilfred) George Carter CBE 1889 – 1969 (101 Tavistock Street)

Designed the Gloster E.28/39 aircraft for Frank Whittle’s jet engine, the first jet aircraft. He went on to design the Gloster Meteor, of which 3,947 were built, the Allies’ only jet aircraft of WW2. Born in Howbury Street, he was educated at Harpur Central School, apprenticed at W H Allen’s for six years, worked

at Saundersons Tractors, Elstow for three years and married Hilda Black from Tennyson Road in 1916.

John Usher 1822 – 1904 (57 High Street - Subway)

Which he designed in 1871 for Henry Adkin, gunmaker. The pinnacles at the top are surmounted by gun dogs and Henry’s initials can be seen above the central second-floor window. John Usher, born in Blunham, set up his first office in the High Street in 1846, and was to become ‘the most original and prolific architect of 19th century Bedford’. One of his best surviving examples is the 1869 “Holly Lodge”, 43 Grove Place, built for the lace merchant Thomas Lester and notable for the staggered three light windows marking the staircase.

Joshua Hawkins 1845 – 1892 and Hester Hawkins 1846 – 1928 (18 Linden Road)

Five times Mayor of Bedford, Joshua was the driving force behind several projects, the new Park on the north side of the town, the new bridge over the River at Prebend Street and the Suspension Bridge on the Embankment. His name is preserved on four plaques around the Town – County Bridge,

Prebend Street, the Suspension Bridge, the old Fire Station, Mill Street and the main building at Bedford School. His wife, Hester Periam Lewis Hawkins, was also well known: a Methodist hymn writer, a novelist, a lifelong supporter of

the Temperance Movement and writer of the well regarded “ABC Guide to Astronomy”, becoming a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1921.

This blue plaque project was devised by local historian David Fowler, assisted by Stuart Antrobus, and funded, amongst others, by The Harpur Trust and Bedford Architectural, Archaeological & Local History Society.

We’re thrilled to report that throughout this year, five more blue memorial wall plaques are being installed to honour these Bedford residents who made an impact on Bedford and the wider world. The Blue Plaques are part of a £4k scheme which also includes two more information boards.

LIVE MUSIC FOR ALLExperience the thrill of the Philharmonia Orchestra live at Bedford Corn Exchange

Tickets from £14*philharmonia.co.uk | 0800 652 6717

*Transaction fees apply: £1.50 online and over the phone

Tue 22 Jan 2019, 7.30pmSANTTU-MATIAS ROUVALI: SIBELIUS & RAVEL

Tue 19 Feb 2019, 7.30pmHERREWEGHE CONDUCTS MOZART & BACH

Thu 28 Mar 2019, 7.30pmBEETHOVEN & BRAHMS

Mon 29 Apr 2019, 7.30pmASHKENAZY CONDUCTS ELGAR

LIVE MUSIC FOR ALLExperience the thrill of the Philharmonia Orchestra live at Bedford Corn Exchange

Tickets from £14*philharmonia.co.uk | 0800 652 6717

*Transaction fees apply: £1.50 online and over the phone

Tue 22 Jan 2019, 7.30pmSANTTU-MATIAS ROUVALI: SIBELIUS & RAVEL

Tue 19 Feb 2019, 7.30pmHERREWEGHE CONDUCTS MOZART & BACH

Thu 28 Mar 2019, 7.30pmBEETHOVEN & BRAHMS

Mon 29 Apr 2019, 7.30pmASHKENAZY CONDUCTS ELGAR

6 The Bedford Clanger • January 2019

Theatre By Paula Walker THE CLANGERTHEATRE

THE PLACE THEATRE

BeowulfFriday 11 January at 7.30pmTickets: £12 (Concessions £10)Age Guidance: 14+ Seth Kriebel’s Beowulf is a performance-game that invites audience members to explore the world of this legendary story… without leaving their seats.

Harking back to Beowulf’s roots in the oral storytelling tradition, the show is technically simple: Seth stands on a bare stage and describes a frozen world of Vikings and monsters - the world of Beowulf. The audience offers instructions like ‘follow the path’ or ‘pick up the axe’ to move through the described, imagined places… working together to overcome obstacles, fight foes and navigate the narrative of the original English story of man versus monster.

Accompanied by an evocative soundscape, the audience is immersed in the world of the poem, a millennium after the Viking hero’s adventures were first written down. Each show is unique, dependent on the audience’s choices — bringing the world of the ancient epic to life with a new immediacy.

Kick off the new year at the theatre. Here’s our January round-up by Paula Walker.

NEW VOLUNTEER

OPEN MORNING

Sat 19th Jan 10.30 am

See website for further ticket details: www.theplacebedford.org.uk/ticketsor call the box office on 01234 354321

Little Pixie Theatre Company

THE NIGHTINGALE OF SOUTHBANKSat 19 Jan 7.30pm £12/£10 A fascinating story about early twentieth century opera singer Florence Easton woven through famous arias from Madame Butterfly, Gianni Schicchi, Aida, Tosca and many more.

Small Nose Theatre Company RACHEL Fri 25 Jan 7pm £12/£10/£9 Part of Holocaust memorial weekend. A full mask performance that tells Rachel Levy’s story of survival at Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

LGBTQ HISTORY MONTHLaunch Event Sat 2 Feb 4-7 pm (Free) Tomorrow’s Great Pageant - Reimagining an iconic Suffrage play written in 1909 for an alternative 21st Century gender narrative. A reading of the original script, followed by discussions with actors and activists.

8pm (Free) Cabaret! Expect music, comedy and drag - local performers and Zoo Co create a blend of entertainment, activism, laughs and talent.

Stand By Theatre Company THE ROOM AT THE TOP OF THE HOUSE Thu 7 Feb, 7.30pm £12/£10A room of forgotten things becomes a place where Josh can escape the fascinating but frightening outside world. Told through movement and poetic text this honest and uplifting show is about fear and the impact our decisions can have.

LGBTQ+

HISTORY MONTH

The Bedford Clanger • January 2019 7

The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford MK40 3DE

Tickets and further information available at

www.theplacetheatre.org.uk

The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s, 26 St Peters St, Bedford MK40 2NN

Tickets and more information available at

quarrytheatre.org.uk or on 01234 362337

Soap Soup Theatre presentsThe Snow BabySunday 20 January 11am and 2pm Tickets: £10 (Concessions £8.50)Age Guidance: 3+Deep in the remote snowy forest, an icy wind blows and snowflakes fall from the sky. Doris and her Bear Man live on the hill, alone but happy. Wrapped up in a snowy smother, they are in love, but when the snowstorm comes, Bear Man disappears! How will Doris survive by herself in a forest plagued with bad weather and a cloud of hungry crows?

The Snow Baby, magical children’s theatre with beautiful puppetry, imaginative storytelling and music that will give you goosebumps, this gentle show explores family, love and loss, with music, confetti and fun for the whole family to enjoy!

Small Nose Productions presentRachel (a play in full mask)Friday 25 January at 7pm Tickets: £12 (Concessions £10)

Mrs Rachel Levy is a survivor of Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp, the worst camp attributed to a time when the Nazis had seemingly given up trying to hide the horrors of the Holocaust. All hope was gone, but Rachel survived. ‘It was a miracle!’ she said.

This play is for school groups, but Small Nose Productions believe the lessons of the Holocaust are for us all.

National Theatre Live presentsThe Tragedy of King Richard IITuesday 15 January at 7pmTickets: £14.50 (Concessions£12.50)Age Guidance: 12+Simon Russell Beale plays William Shakespeare’s Richard II, broadcast live from the stage of the Almeida Theatre in London. This visceral new production about the limits of power, is directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, whose previous plays include Little Revolution at the Almeida and Absolute Hell at the National Theatre.

Richard II, King of England, is irresponsible, foolish and vain. His weak leadership sends his kingdom into disarray and his court into uproar. Seeing no other option but to seize power, the ambitious Bolingbroke challenges the throne and the king’s divine right to rule.

The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s The Place Theatre resident reviewersWhat a great start to the Resident Review writers initiative started at The Place Theatre last season. Huge thanks to Isabelle Brazier and Kezia-Rose Johnston for contributing such great reviews of their experiences. Their writing added an extra layer of connectivity to The Place’s work and gave young people some local representation.

Three (yes THREE!) new reviewers will be chosen for the January to April season from the age groups 9-12, 13-16, 17-25, and winners will be announced on The Place’s social media platforms as well as The Clanger’s blog to coincide with The Place’s season launch on Thursday 10th January. All reviews will be published on The Clanger blog and across The Place’s platforms, and the March and April edition of The Clanger will feature some of the best reviews.

Excitingly, the Frank Branston Trust has agreed to fund this initiative as it moves forward which will allow professional journalists to visit The Place and give our young reviewers advice about developing their writing and progressing in the industry. Another set of reviewers will be recruited in May, so keep an eye out for details! theplacebedford.org.uk

8 The Bedford Clanger • January 2019

What’s on…JANUARY

The Place Theatre’s season launch Thursday 10 January at 7.30pmHead to the Place Theatre on Bradgate Road for a fun and friendly start to their Spring season. A great opportunity to talk to the team here about their forthcoming plans, catch up with the rest of the audience and theatre community after the holiday break and look forward to another great year of events and excitement at The Place Bedford, ice creams from Spaghetti Johns, and wine tasting from our partner at The Blue Glass, plus extracts from our community shows currently in development.

Tea & Tales – The scandal of Frank Spooner and other stories for grown-upsThe Chapel, Foster Hill Road CemeterySaturday 12 January at 2.30pm (£6.50 includes tea and cake)Frank Spooner was Bedfordshire’s first Director of Education. Young, capable and driven, but ultimately mired in scandal. Listen to this true Edwardian story as it unfolds day by day hour by hour. Local storyteller, Mark Steinhardt has been given access to the primary documents so he is able to bring these events fully to live. Spooner was a complicated man. How will the story end?

Fosterhillroadcemetery.co.uk

Skeptics in the Pub: The Traveller’s Guide to MarsNorth End Social Club, 60 Roff Avenue, MK41 7TWThursday 17 January at 7.30pmAfter his very well received talk last year - 13 Journeys Through Space and Time, Colin Stuart returns with a new subject.

In The Traveller’s Guide to Mars, Colin Stuart will examine our fascination with the Red Planet, our attempts to explore it and send humans there in the not-to-distant future.

The Quarry Theatre Open Evening & Season LaunchFriday 18 January at 7.00pm

Celebrate the start of The Quarry’s wonderful Spring season at this free event, open all.

The Quarry is opening its doors for backstage and behind the scenes tours, giving you a glimpse of life in a working theatre. You can sign up to the mailing list and the box office will be open all night, offering discounts to shows in their Spring season.

Bedford Vegan Market at John Bunyan MuseumSaturday 26 January from 10amA great opportunity to eat, shop and meet at the regular vegan market in the heart of Bedford. This is definitely not just for vegans and everyone’s welcome. Enjoy delicious vegan foods from brunches to street foods (burgers, hot dogs, wraps plus much more), ethnic cuisine, fresh juices, smoothies and hot drinks, vegan cheeses and ethical goods, gifts & services. Entry is free.

virtuosofoods.co.uk

Panacea Museum – winter opening hoursFor the first time, the Panacea Museum will remain open throughout the winter months. A fascinating place to while away a winters afternoon, the museum and gardens are open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11am – 4pm. Refreshments can be bought at the café from noon – 3pm. The museum will reopen after the Christmas break on 5 January. panaceamuseum.org

The Bedford Clanger • January 2019 9

What’s on…JANUARY

Bedford Creative Arts present: Clubhouse film premiereWednesday 23 January at 5pmVue Cinema, 4 River Street, MK40 1AS

Created by artists Julie Myers and Maria Anastassiou and the residents of Bedford’s Chester and Carlisle Roads, this short film documents a year-long art project on the two streets in Queen’s Park. Exploring ideas of place and neighbourhood, alongside tales of sea monsters, animals and slime, Clubhouse combines observational documents of everyday life; staged scenes of performance to camera, sound recordings, special effects and footage from the children’s own cameras.

Register now for Run Bedford 2019Sunday 2 June at Russell Park Want to set yourself a fitness challenge this year? Then why not register for the Run Bedford 10k - a course that will take you along Bedford’s loveliest avenues! Starting on Bedford’s beautiful Victorian embankment, you’ll breeze along the tree-lined Park Avenue, DeParys Avenue – then with just a mile to go you’ll be lifted by the crowds as you fly down the High Street and finish in grand style alongside the River Great Ouse. You may never make the Olympics but you’ll certainly feel the crowd behind you at Run Bedford!

Whether you’re a world-beater, a fun-runner or a fund-raiser this a great chance for a personal best. The course is flat and very fast!

The 10k will start at 9.00am in 2019. Registration is £22 (£20 England Athletics Affiliated)

Register now at active.com

Saturday Stress Busting at the Higgins BedfordSaturday 26 January from 1 - 4pm

Head to the Higgins for a variety of sociable and relaxing activities to help improve your feelings of wellbeing. Enjoy meditative yoga, creative art activities and play traditional table-top tennis games. This programme is being shaped

by you, so feel free to suggest any creative activities that you want to try and the Higgins’ team will see what they can do.

Creative Art Session: Junk Journaling Drop-InCreate your own junk journals to record and document your thoughts, memories, an occasion or an event that has touched you.

Share craft ideas and tips and get creative. No artistic skills or expertise needed. Materials provided or bring your own.

Tea Party Poetry 2.30-4.00pmA therapeutic session where you can give a voice to your emotions and feelings through creating your own poetry.

Saturday Stress Busting afternoons are open to all but the aim is to create a relaxing and supportive atmosphere for people to feel comfortable in. No unaccompanied or young children please.

10 The Bedford Clanger • January 2019

SHEAFS + GuestsFriday 1st February, doors at 8pmTickets £7 in advance

One of the most exciting new guitar bands in the country, SHEAFS headlines Esquires’ main stage as part of IVW 2019. Sheffield’s SHEAFS pack punches with blistering riffs and instantly addictive hooks that hark back to the glory days of regional indie in their 4-minute whirlwinds of guitar-led goodness.

The Philharmonia Orchestra - Sibelius & RavelBedford Corn ExchangeTuesday 22nd January, 7.30pmIn 2016, Bachtrack hailed “Alice Sara Ott’s startling performance with the Philharmonia, a barnstorming rendition which gripped from first note until last.” She returns to perform Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G, composed after a concert tour of the USA in 1928 and woven through with the sounds of the jazz he encountered there. Sibelius’ Valse triste, a darkly beautiful subversion of the dance, paves the way for his First Symphony. Principal Guest Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali brings his irresistible energy to this work full of sweeping melodies, evocative of vast Nordic landscapes. Tickets at bedfordcornexchange.co.uk

CLANGER INTERVIEW: TIM BURGESS & THE ANYTIME MINUTES PLUS AVERAGE SEXThursday 31st January, doors at 7.30pmAs part of IVW18, The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess returns to Esquires after a sell-out show in 2013. Hear all about it from the mop-topped man himself, in our EXCLUSIVE interview:

Bedford Clanger: We’re looking forward to seeing you at Esquires in January. We saw you last time you played here. Can we expect a similarly pared down set?Tim Burgess: Not sure about pared down. There’s 4 others in the band so I’m saying it’s pared up! I’m so glad we’re coming back to Esquires, it kicked off the tour last time, and it was a real memorable show.

BC: Can you describe how the collaboration with Peter Gordon came about?TB: I’d always loved Peter’s music and had admired his albums from afar, hoping that one day we would work together. He was working with somebody I knew so I took the chance to ask him - He’s from a different musical background to me, so I wasn’t sure if he’d come across anything I’d done. We got on well right from the start and the idea of doing an album together came quite quickly.

BC: You seem to love seeking out new collaborations and projects. What is your favourite part of the creative process? TB: The moment when you realise what’s possible - like anything, there’s a time of just finding your feet at the start and then it clicks into place. Ending up with a piece of work that is like a Venn diagram of parts of everyone involved.

BC: Why do you think the Charlatans have enjoyed such an enduring career?TB: It has to be about the songs. Without them a band are just a gang of friends meeting up. We’ve tried to stay relevant and we’ve never really looked back too much. We try to keep things interesting - from The Different Day to North By Northwich.

BC: Which era of your career have you enjoyed the most?TB: I’m always about the now. I love having a body of work to look back on but I’m more interested in what’s next.

BC: Which aspect of your career (writing/performing/coffee-selling/festival curating/DJing) do you enjoy the most?TB: A mix of all of them - if I had to choose one it would be performing but if you add a DJ set in after, all at a festival, where Tim Peaks is happening, that’s when I’m happiest. I like being busy so all of those things at the same time would be the best

BC: Where’s a better place to live: California or East Anglia?TB: Those amazing beaches, the beautiful people - Norfolk really has everything. California is a part of my past life - I went back to a few of my favourite places when we were on tour in America. Norfolk is home now, so it has a special place in my heart as it’s where we spend time as a family. I’m happy pretty much anywhere though, if the right people are around

BC: Is Sproston Green the best encore song ever?TB: That’s not for me to say but I know a lot of people think so. It’s quite funny that it’s such a big song but was never a single here. I get to watch the second half of it as the band let loose.

Music

There’s plenty of live music to be had in Bedford in 2019, beginning with Independent Venue Week at Esquires at the end of this month. With a great schedule including the return of Tim Burgess from The Charlatans, the celebrations run from Monday 28 January – Sunday 2 February.

Save the date: Bedford Park ConcertsWe can now reveal the dates of Bedford Park Concerts 2019 will be Friday 26, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July. So, save the date and tell your friends and family. The team are working hard behind the scenes to make 2019 the best yet!

bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk

The Vryll Society + GuestsTuesday 29th January, doors at 7.30pm Tickets £10 in advance One thing The Vryll Society aren’t short of is admirers. Lauded at just about every turn by press and public alike, the release of their debut LP for Deltasonic Records has brought great critical acclaim loads more fans and has led to sold out shows on their recent UK tour.

Discovered and nurtured by the late and much missed Deltasonic founder Alan Wills, he instantly saw in them similar attributes he’d previously found in the early days of The Coral. Drawing from an eclectic palette of influence from deep funk to Krautrock, electronica and prog, they’ve created a heady, intoxicating, pin sharp, and tightly wound groove. It’s that eclecticism, that kaleidoscopic swirl of influences which brings together hip hop flavours, with the prog stylings of names such as Aphrodite’s Child and The Verve – pre Urban Hymns – when the drugs were still working.

ESTRONSSaturday 2nd February, doors at 8pmTickets £10 in advance

Ever since singer Tali Källström and guitarist Rhodri Daniel met as “two strangers with disparate tastes and influences,” the two have been carving out a body of work that resembles an essence of chaos and beauty; a feeling of estrangement, an expression of morbid elegance, inspired by opposing sides. Beginning as an experiment, Estrons quickly became significantly more important than intended. They are simply a force that cannot be forced.

Tickets for all shows available online from seetickets, and in person at Esquires, Slide Record Shop and Mario’s Hair Design. Bedfordesquires.co.uk

Music

Mill Race Folk present: Cohen Braithwaite-KilcoyneSaturday 19 Janaury at 7.30pmMoot Hall, Elstow Tickets: £10

Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne has been a musician since the age of 6. He took to squeezeboxes in his teens and has since developed into a fine player of both the melodeon and anglo concertina. His solo performance includes traditional ballads, historical songs, industrial songs, sea songs and shanties all firmly rooted in the English tradition, with a fair amount of material linked to the West Midlands where Cohen has lived for much of his life.

marisajackanddavy.com

11The Bedford Clanger • thebedfordclanger.com •

The Bedford Clanger is printed by White Hart Press, Bedford

A 21st century news desk for a 21st century Bedford

January 2019 www.bedfordindependent.co.uk

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The leader of Bedford Borough’s Conservative group, Cllr Stephen Moon, has said the Mayor’s Local Plan, which sets out how our area will deal with housing growth up to 2030, has postponed vital strategic decisions on housing and employment growth that will “adversely affect Bedford’s future prosperity”.

Bedford Borough Council’s Local Plan 2030 was approved by Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors at a Council meeting on 5 December and is now being reviewed by the Planning Inspectorate before it is formally adopted next year.

At the meeting, Cllr Moon called the Local Plan a ‘vision-free short-term exercise’, which he believes does not take into account the rural infrastructure needed to build a large number of new homes around villages.

He also believes the plan is unbalanced, placing an unfair amount of housing pressure on rural areas when there are brown field sites, such as Stewartby, that could be more easily utilised in the Local Plan before 2030.

Speaking after the full council meeting on 5 December, Cllr Moon said: “The Mayor’s decision to dump 500 houses on green field sites in each of Bromham, Clapham, Great Barford and Sharnbrook will increase those villages in size by 50% or more.

“This will change their character forever and overwhelm road networks. The Conservatives will continue to oppose these allocations and to press for greater use of brownfield sites in the urban area and appropriate housing allocations to meet the needs of our villages.’

In response Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough, says that the Local Plan is effectively rebalancing the share of housing already in place, citing recent developments in Eastcotts, Shortstown, Wootton, nearby Martson development on the Borough and Central Bedfordshire border, and the forthcoming and ongoing development in Stewartby.

However, while the Local Plan sets out the template for growth, the Mayor says that each individual development will have to follow the standard planning procedure. The public in the areas affected will be able to raise objections should they wish in the usual manner.

Read more on this and watch interviews with Cllr Moon and Mayor Dave Hodgson at bedfordindependent.co.uk

“MAYOR’S LOCAL PLAN WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT BEDFORD’S

FUTURE PROSPERITY”

2 Bedford Independent • January 2019

A fundraising page has been set up for Simon Mushonga, the Bedford man murdered in Kettering on 8 December, asking for help in sending his body back to Zimbabwe.

On the page, they write: “It has been such a difficult time for our family and we continue to pray for strength and courage through it all. We are now making arrangements to take Simon back home to Zimbabwe to his final resting place.

“We had no idea how many lives Simon touched and we are so overwhelmed by all the love and support we’ve received during this difficult

time. We’ve set this page up for anyone who would like to help in anyway.

“We are so thankful for the NHS staff that looked after Simon in his final moments and we thank you all for your donations. God bless you all.”

You can make donations to the page at: www.facebook.com/donate/2211377399134655/

39-year-old Simon was found unconscious in Carrington Street, Kettering in the early hours of Saturday, December 8. He had serious head injuries and died the following day.

Two people have been charged in connection with his death.

Aaron Muggleton, 25, of Alexander Street, Kettering, has been charged with murder and a 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with manslaughter.

Muggleton and the 16-year-old girl have also been charged with ABH in connection with an assault on another man during the same incident. Muggleton has also been charged with possession of a Class B drug.

Family of Simon Mushonga – Bedford man murdered in Kettering

– launch fundraising page

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Kathryn Holloway, and Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, say they’re celebrating after the Government has said they’ll have an additional £8million in their budget next year.

But that figure will only be achievable if Council Tax Payers shoulder the burden according to Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin.

The extra funding would be made up from:• £1.3m in extra core grant• £1.1m in a contribution for pensions• £5.6m from council tax increase

While the core grant and pensions figures are from Central Government, the PCC could decide to raise the remaining £5.6m by increasing their council tax precept (share) to £24 per year (for a Band D home). The maximum she is allowed to increase the rate by without a referendum.

PCC Kathryn Holloway says the money would deliver more officers to the frontline and plug a hole in the budget from a national pensions shortfall and is not a long-term solution to the

funding issues facing police forces across the UK.But Mohammad Yasin MP has said that the Government is simply

resting the funding gap on the shoulders of council tax payers.Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: “Ultimately this increase

in funding will allow the organisation to grow. The ability to raise council tax precepts is a matter for our Police & Crime Commissioner Kathryn Holloway, but I’m sure she will want to explore this option to increase the number of officers we have on the front line in our communities.”

Police funding boost of £8million... if council tax goes up

Read the full story and more at BedfordIndependent.co.uk and across our social media pages.

Bedford Independent • January 2019 3

News in briefFor more on these stories and others head to BedfordIndependent.co.uk

180 officers from Bedfordshire Police and Bedford Borough Council have carried out a dawn raid of a traveller’s site near Cardington after receiving reports of criminal activity.

The raid on 13 December at the Willow Drift traveller site on Meadow Lane included support from the dog section, helicopter, firearms support units and officers on off-road bikes.

Nine men and four women were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.

Vehicles that are untaxed for more than eight weeks can now be seized by the police after the DVLA gave some its powers to the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit (BCH RPU).

The idea is that officers can maintain the safety of our roads and reduce casualties by keeping untaxed vehicles off the road far more easily.

Bedford Town FC manager, Jon Taylor, has agreed terms with new centre back Joe Steele and goal scorer Alex Cathline.

Bedford local, 21-year-old Steele, was part of the Milton Keynes Dons youth system before heading

to Arlesey Town, in the Southern League Premier Divison.

Cathline, 23, offers good experience of pro football to the Eagles squad as the young striker completed a two-year scholarship at Stevenage Town F.C.

Read more about Bedford Town FC and other sports in Bedford Borough at BedfordIndependent.co.uk

Pupils at Bedford School have raised over £10,000 for the Movember charity, ranking them the events top fundraising school and 16th highest in the whole country.

A whole host of activities took place across Movember aimed at raising awareness and breaking down the stigma of men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.

6th form ‘MoBros’ grew moustaches of varying success and encouraged younger boys to organise their own events, such as the Around the World in 80 Days Initiative that had people cycling, riding and walking around the world.

Read more about what they got up to and watch their fundraising parody music video at bedfordindependent.co.uk

Bedfordshire and Luton Clinical Commissioning Groups are urging residents aged 65 and over, to take up their free NHS flu vaccination before winter takes hold.

A new vaccine which has been especially developed for over 65 year olds is available for the first time this winter. Last year, over 30,00 older people across Bedfordshire and Luton failed to take up the offer of a free flue jab, leaving them vulnerable during the winter months.

To find out if you’re eligible for the free flu vaccination, visit www.nhs.uk/staywell or speak to your GP.

13 people arrested in Cardington for drug offences

New signings could give Bedford Town FC

end of season boost

Bedford College Group’s student stars celebrate a year of success

Students and staff have celebrated a year of success for Bedford College Group at their annual Bedfordshire Achievement Ceremony where guest speaker author Ruth Hogan told the audience: “Education is a gift but you are the magic ingredient.”

The Bedfordshire Achievement Ceremony, held at Bedford’s Corn Exchange, was all about the students

and staff who have made a significant impact or achievement in their studies or supported others.

The big award was for Student of the Year which went to Liam Kilby. Read all about why Liam was given the accolade and the other awards given out on the night at bedfordindependent.co.uk

Police can now seize your vehicle if you don’t get it taxed

Over 65s urged to have free flu vaccine

Bedford School’s ‘MoBros’ smash Movember fundraising target

The Harpur Trust has been enriching the lives of people in Bedford Borough for over 450 years.

Giving grants to local community projects.

Offering accommodation for older people.

Supporting, promoting and providing education.

Making social investments.

www.harpurtrust.org.uk

6617 Harpur Trust Generic Ad (180x260) AW.indd 1 14/09/2018 17:26

5

There’s nothing better than surprising someone with a Happy Birthday message or congratulating them on their wedding, anniversary or just because. You can also commemorate the life of a loved one by publishing their obituary.

The Bedford Independent gives you a chance to list your Births, Deaths, Marriages and other announcements on our website, with a dedicated link to share with your family and friends. You can also choose to have your announcement in print too in the dedicated Bedford Independent pages of The Bedford Clanger.

Head to: bedfordindependent.co.uk/post-an-announcement to upload online - it’s simple and quick.

Our printed publication date is the last Friday of each month, deadline for submissions is the Friday before.

The Amazing Tara Dolby!

Have a birthday that is as fantastic as you are! xx

Rory Dibden

Happy 7th Birthday!

All my love and kisses, Mummy xxx

Chelsey Southam

Happy Birthday Mummy!

Love Elsie xx

As a responsible news desk the Bedford Independent is regulated by IMPRESS. If you’d like to raise an issue with our content please visit: www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/make-a-complaint

Editor: Paul HutchinsonAdditional writers: Erica Roffe, Will Hooley & Hannah BrownPrinted page design: Curtis Reeve

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www.bedfordindependent.co.uk

The Harpur Trust has been enriching the lives of people in Bedford Borough for over 450 years.

Giving grants to local community projects.

Offering accommodation for older people.

Supporting, promoting and providing education.

Making social investments.

www.harpurtrust.org.uk

6617 Harpur Trust Generic Ad (180x260) AW.indd 1 14/09/2018 17:26

Announcements

Bedford’s sporting champions including athletes, coaches and clubs have been given a high five at this year’s Bedford Sports Awards which celebrate their dedication, hard work and success over the past year.

The Sports Personality of the Year Award went to Alex Edwards for his achievements in Freestyle Kayak, representing Great Britain at the highest level and achieving the title of World Cup Champion 2018. Read more about the other awards handed out on the night at BedfordIndependent.co.uk

The Government has corrected a shortfall in the budget allocated to Bedford Borough Schools after it was discovered it would leave them £1.3million short.

A campaign, led by Mayor Dave Hodgson and supported by Mohammad Yasin MP, Alistair Burt MP and Conservative Mayoral Candidate Gianni Carafano, was started last month when it was found that the new national

funding formula used by The Department of Education would have seen £1,000 less per primary school class and £1,600 less per secondary school class.

Now the Department for Education has said they will top up the 2019/20 budget by £1.3million, maintaining the per-pupil funding rate for Bedford Borough’s Schools.

Read the full story at bedfordindependent.co.uk

High five to Bedford’s sporting champions at annual awards

£1.3million ‘top-up’ for Bedford schools after Government corrects funding formula