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SEPTEMBER 2013

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

SPECIAL EDITION WITH

PHOTO A DAY: THE FINALISTS

Welcome to this very special picture edition of The Bedford Clanger, featuring the top 93 photographs that we feel sum up a month in the life of Bedford.
uring July 2013 we asked ordinary Bedfordians to participate in the A Photo A Day project and share their views of the town. Over 70 fabulous people took part and we had over 1,000 submissions.

Some people submitted something every day, others posted occasionally; some used expensive camera equipment, most used their smart phones the only criteria was that photographs had to be taken in Bedford on the specific day in question. You will see from the variety of photographs we have chosen that some contributors took the daily word literally, while others very definitely thought outside of the box! It was the task of photographers Graham Watson and Andy Willsher plus Clanger editor, Erica Roffe, to whittle the pictures down to the best three per day a job that required an iPad, three hours at the Devvie, a bottle of Rioja and copious amounts of caffeine.

From Monday 9th September The Picture Gallery on Bedford High Street will host an exhibition of the finalists photographs, so make sure you pop in to check them out. It just remains to thank all our sponsors: The Picture Gallery, Fuji, Coplan Estates, Bedford Borough Council and We Are Bedford.

The Winners (from left to right): Festival by Neil McCarty, People by Christian Webb and Bedford by Gemma Louise Cavill

These are very, very exciting times at Clanger HQ.

Were re-launching with a new logo, new layout, new size and new collaborators this November and we cannot wait.
nd were not going to keep all of this lovely newness to ourselves. Were going to be telling the world (or at least the surrounding counties) how great Bedford is. Were increasing our print run to 25,000 and will be delivering 15,000 door to door. Another 9,000 will be winging their way to the finest establishments in the farther reaches of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes. All your favourite Bedford Clanger features will remain, but well have more space (40 pages!) to write about the great things, people, places and events that make our town unique. Our aim is to bring you a publication that makes residents proud to live here and non-residents want to visit. So, if youve got something happening in November and December, let us know as soon as possible by emailing thebedfordclanger@gmail.com. If you would like to advertise wed love to chat to you about our ratecard and packages. Email us at thebedfordclanger@gmail.com for further information and prices. And I suppose you want to see what its going to look like, dont you? Well, go on then

TIM BURGESS: LIVE AT ESQUIRES ON TUESDAY 17th SEPTEMBER

Author, DJ, champion tweeter, record label owner and coffee magnate Tim Burgess will be performing live at Bedford Esquires on Tuesday 17th September.
Biscuit have managed to persuade the former Charlatans frontman to come to Bedford and (IMHO) you would be an utter fool to miss it. However, this is not just a great chance to see one of the most iconic frontman of his generation. The band also consists of fellow Charlatans guitarist Mark Collins and Martin Duffy (keyboard player with Primal Scream). Although Tim and the band will essentially be performing his new solo material, recent gigs have even seen a few Charlatans classics given new life in a stripped down format. Support on the evening will be provided by the excellent Hatcham Social. Tickets are 16 in advance, available from http:// www.wegottickets.com/event/224579 / www.seetickets.com / Dannys Bar and Luscious Juice Bar.

Yep, thats right, Roar Club and Club

TIM PEAKS DINER COFFEE & CAKE REVIEW

Some ex-rockstars buy up a big house in the country. Some make cheese. And some...well, some accidentally set up an online coffee shop with spin-off merchandise and festivals.
say some Im pretty sure that only Tim Burgess, of rock royalty The Charlatans has done that. He can also add to his arsenal of cool the fact that a cereal he suggested as a joke on Twitter (Totes Amazeballs) was actually made up by Kellogs for him. How, you may well ask, do you accidentally set up a virtual; coffee shop? As befits something this odd, it started with a tweet, Tim clariBy Alice Smith fies. A bit befuddled by Twitter, and searching for something more to entertain his 4,000 odd followers, he wrote: Morning tweeps. Coffee? The responses flooded in. Yes please mate, send us one to Preston, got a ceiling to plaster and am running late Konnichiwa from Tokyo Timcka, cappuccino for me and so forth. From this initial enthusiasm, a large and active community evolved around this metaphysical and metaphorical coffee, with a daily song of the day feature the breakfast banger, Charlatans album listening parties, and thousands of tweets. A name and a logo were born, and it became known as the Tim Peaks online coffee shop. I wasnt sure what it was, Tim says, but it sure was something. It was indeed quite something. Thousands of daily tweets did not go unnoticed: a show on 6music followed, the festival scene beckoned, and eventually the metaphorical and metaphysical coffee became physical and, er, phorical, as part of the Kendall Calling festival. A real blend of Tim Peaks coffee was created to Tims specification by professional coffee roasters in Glasgow. Bowls of the Totes Amazeballs cereal was served alongside the coffee, with tea provided by Yorkshire Teas van Little Urn in a log cabin, where Tim Peakers listened to sets by Kyle from The View, Nick Heyward and Tim himself. But this is no profiteering venture - all the profits from Tim Peaks go to The David Lynch Foundation, which promotes a conscious-based education and world peace. The coffee itself is fairtrade: a blend of smooth, perky coffee with beans specially sourced from Uganda, Costa

Rica, Brazil & Ethiopia. Excitingly, you can purchase the coffee from the Tim Peaks website, either as a ready-ground blend, or as coffee beans for you ground at home for maximum freshness. I was only too happy to sample the readyground blend as part of my dedicated ongoing coffee research for The Bedford Clanger. And? Its good! Its a really smooth, and punchy without being overpowering. Its got a freshness to it. A great cup of fairtrade coffee, with all profits going to charity - I was really impressed. No wonder it attracted rave reviews from writer Ian Rankin, BBC 6 Musics Lauren Laverne and Sunday Brunchs Tim Lovejoy, amongst others. Coffee, incidentally, is not the only thing you can buy from Tim Peaks. Mugs, t-shirts, tote bags, teapots, and a set of beautiful disposable coffee mugs designed by Welsh artist and illustrator Pete Fowler creator of the iconic Super Furry Animals artwork are all available at the online diner. Ive never lusted after a disposable coffee mug before but nor have I drunk at an online coffee shop with a cult following before. Post-modern coffee shops are clearly where its at, these days Metaphysically speaking, of course. www.timpeaks.com

Tea Time with Tim

HERE ARE SOME ADVERTS

Bedford Theatre Autumn Season Highlights

Schlomo: Human Geekbox Thursday 3rd October at 7.30pm. Tickets 12
Shlomo is back. Following his sell-out tours Mouthtronica and Ministry of Mouth, the award winning looping artist and World Record Holding beatboxer returns with his brand new interactive eargasmic experience: Human Geekbox. Come on a mad beatbox journey to Planet Geek and back as Shlomo explores the art and science of geekdom, gadgets, and the music of the human voice. Join Shlomo as he recreates his metamorphosis from wannabe astrophysics geek to mouth music megastar, swapping telescope for microphone and trading in a family history in astrophysics to perform his amazing vocal pyrotechnics across the planet. Since taking up beatboxing in 2002, Shlomo has won global acclaim and worked with some of the biggest names in music including Bjork, Damon Albarn, Jarvis Cocker, Martha Wainwright, Imogen Heap, The Specials, DJ Yoda and Bill Bailey. Shlomos performance on BBC2s Later with Jools Holland was seen by Emily Eavis who invited him to host a 2-hour collaborative extravaganza at Glastonbury Festival. Shlomo won the first World Loopstation Championships in LA where he defeated finalists from 12 other countries. To book tickets or for more information on other shows, please visit www.bedfordtheatre.co.uk

September-December

Autumn season

Theatre
www.beds.ac.uk/theatre @UoBarts facebook.com/uobtheatre

theatre, family, music, dance, poetry, comedy To book call

01234 793197

The Reduced Shakespeare Company: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) 23rd & 24th September at 7.30pm. Tickets 14
Its the play that launched a thousand Reductions! Its the longest running comedy in Londons West End! All 37 Plays in 97 Minutes! Now revised for 2013. An

irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bards plays, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) was Londons longest-running comedy having clocked nine years in Londons West End at the Criterion Theatre. Join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeares Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter. Stupendous, anchorless joy! THE TIMES

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

SEPTEMBER 2013 PHOTO A DAY

DAY 1. SMILE! Photos By Keith Mulliner, Saffron Denton, Christian Webb

DAY 2. INSIDE Photos By Keith Mulliner, Jo Midgley, Emma Mundell

DAY 3. OUT Photos By Gemma Louise Cavill, Kristian Purcell, Christian Webb

DAY 4. INDEPENDENT Photos By Keith Mulliner, Jo Midgley, Steve Minchington

DAY 5. PRIDE Photos By Janice Elliot, Keith Mulliner, Dande Soedewo

DAY 6. JOY Photos By Kristian Purcell, Tamsyn Hammond, Lisa Tilley

DAY 7. MIRROR Photos By Keith Mulliner, Janice Elliot, Christian Webb

DAY 8. MUSIC Photos By Keith Mulliner, Christian Webb, Carol Anne Barnes

DAY 9. STYLE Photos By Gemma Louise Cavill, Uoldbag, Simon Gutteridge

DAY 10. RIVERSIDE Photos By Lisa Bateson, Christian Webb, Darren Lee Marsh

DAY 11. QUENCH Photos By Keith Mulliner, Kristian Purcell, Lisa Bateson

DAY 12. ENTERTAINMENT Photos By Keith Mulliner, Christian Webb, Darren Lee Marsh

DAY 13. CULTURE Photos By Keith Mulliner, Marisa Straccia, Gemma Louise Cavill

DAY 14. GIG Photos By Adam Knowles, Ester Snelson, Christian Webb

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

SEPTEMBER 2013 PHOTO A DAY

DAY 15. PUB(S) Photos By Jacqueline Haddock, Kristian Purcell, Jack Sharp.

DAY 16. SPACE Photos By Gemma Louise Cavill, Janice Elliot, Darren lee Marsh

DAY 17 SMILE Photos By Kristian Purcell, Christian Webb, Darren Lee Marsh

DAY 18. BIG Photos By Gemma Louise Cavill, Steve Minchington, Lloyd Lugsden

DAY 19. NATURAL Photos By Keith Mulliner, Pia Maria Meyer, Hazera Forth.

DAY 20. GIG Photos By Jacqueline Haddock, Christian Webb, Sharon Carter

DAY 21 SPORT Photos By Pia Maria Meyer, Janice Elliot, Darren Lee Marsh

DAY 22 LITERATURE Photos By Lisa Bateson, Steve Minchington, Sharon Carter

DAY 23. IN BLOOM Photos By Gemma Louise Cavill, Simon Gutteridge, Darren Lee Marsh

DAY 24. WALK Photos By Keith Mulliner, Esther Snelson and Esther Snelson again!

DAY 25. PEOPLE Photos By Keith Mulliner, Christian Webb, Steve Minchingham

DAY 26. UNIQUE Photos By Keith Mulliner, Lisa Tilley, Keith Mulliner

DAY 27. HIGH STREET Photos By Keith Mulliner, Hazera Forth, Christian Webb

DAY 28. FESTIVAL Photos By Neil McCarty, Esther Snelson, Janice Elliot

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

DAY 29. BADGE Photos By Keith Mulliner, Esther Snelson, Christian Webb

SEPTEMBER 2013 PHOTO A DAY

DAY 30. FRIENDSHIP Photos ByKeith Mulliner, Keith Mulliner, Jo Midgley

DAY 31. BEDFORD Photos By Kristian Purcell, Gemma Louise Cavill, Christian Webb

Charity Choir Concert Vauxhall Male Voice Choir Tickets, available from either the golf
are performing a special concert in aid of Cancer Research UK at The Bedford Golf Club, Great Denham on Thursday 19th September.

club or Frescoes on Mill Street, are priced at just 10 and will be included in a prize draw with a top prize of 100 M&S vouchers. Frescoes very own Kevin Kavanagh will be performing euphonium and tenor horn solos as part

of the concert. For more details go to: www.thebedfordgc.com or www.vmvc.org

Last chance to visit Bedfords Garden of Eden

The Panacea Museum is hosting its final open day for this year on Saturday 14th September.
The museum complex also comprises a number of other buildings which developed as the society grew. These include The Chapel with its interesting clock tower, and most importantly Castleside - which houses a large exhibition that provides an insight into what influenced the beliefs of the society, as well as the relationship between Mabel Barltrop and Joanna Southcotts famous box of prophecies that can only be opened in the presence of 24 Bishops! Visitors to the museum are also free to wander around the tranquil gardens that members of the society once believed was the original Garden of Eden. If you are unable to make the Open Day, group bookings of 8-20 are also

Local Heroes What a great bunch!

Over the last year, The Bedford Clanger and the Kiosk in The Park have been celebrating Bedfords Local Heroes.
nity or put a smile on our faces. Each of the years Local Heroes has been nominated by a member of the public. The nominee, nominator (and lucky Clangerette) are then invited to join Emma Garrett at the Kiosk for a celebratory afternoon tea as a thank you for their service to the community. It has been an honour to share these Local Heroes with our readers and we hope you enjoy this reminder of the years winners. Bedfords Local Heroes we salute you!

So if you have not already visited

the Museum to find what Octavia (the founder of The Panacea Society who believed she was the daughter of God) had in mind when the 24 bishops agreed to come and open Joanna Southcotts famous Box of Prophecies, then come along to find out more! The museum itself consists of a complex of buildings and gardens that tells the history of this fascinating and unusual religious community. One of the buildings on the complex is the Edwardian Founders House, where the communitys leader Mabel Barltrop lived and first set up the community. Interestingly, Mabel and her followers believed that she was both a prophet and the daughter of God, and the house contains many of her original writings and possessions.

From Samaritan volunteers to pub landladies, shop assistants to librarians, we have

sought to congratulate the Bedfordians who go the extra mile to improve our commu-

Deal or No Deal? available throughout the year for interested schools, colleges and organisations. Admission is free, to find out more visit www.panaceatrust.org. The Panacea Museum, 9 Newnham Road, Bedford. MK40 3NX Tel: 01234 353178 Further information about the museum can be found at www.panaceatrust.org

Bedfordshire Walking Festival 7th 15th September

Ridge Path; on day one from Leighton Buzzard to Ampthill and day two from Gamlingay to Ampthill. Transport back to meeting point and certificate is included in a 10 joining fee. The route takes you through beautiful ancient woodland, past historic houses and along the Grand Union Canal. To find out more or register interested please email organiser@bedswalkfest.co.uk or phone 01234 353704. Organiser Barry Ingram says, I know how beautiful Bedfordshire is and this is something which I am passionate about sharing with other people. The festival provides a great opportunity for us to show new walkers just how easy it is to get out and see what is on their doorstep. Bedfordshire Walking Festival is organised by the walking charity The Ramblers, who are at the heart of walking in Britain. The Ramblers has a network of over 17,000 volunteers. For over 75 years it has helped build and protect Britains 130,000 mile long path network. The Ramblers run over 38,000 walks a year and campaigns for better walking routes across Britain. Bedford Esquires, The Bear, The Bedford Arms, The Pad and first-time venue this year, St Cuthberts Hall, which will have a strong familyfriendly focus. With over 60 great bands and performers to enjoy, drawn from the pick of Bedfords live music scene, there really will be something for everyone. Wristbands are on sale now from http://www.oxjambedfordtakeover.co.uk for the advance price of 8. You may discover your new favourite band and, most importantly, you will be supporting Oxfams invaluable disaster relief and international development work, building on the 8,500 raised locally last year. What better way to relieve the impending autumnal doldrums?

Lets Get Ready to Ramble!

Bedfordshire Walking Festival (Saturday 7th Saturday 15th September) is now in its fifth year and you can take part in its jam packed programme of a week of walks.

here really is something for everyone: family rambles, Nordic walking, health walks, informative interest treks or longer hikes. For a full programme visit www.bedswalkfest.co.uk. If youre up for a real challenge, why not join the 40 mile walk over two days: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September. The trek is along the Greensand

OXJAM
The Oxjam Bedford Takeover returns to town on Saturday 19th October.
Photo of Kinkaid at Esquires by Martin McKay

By Neal Cannell

For the bargain price of 8

you can help Oxfam with their emergency response and life-changing development work whilst enjoying the finest performances Bedfords burgeoning live music scene has to offer. Oxjam first began nationally in 2006 and has since raised more than 1.5 million pounds. As Oxfam say, this would pay for 13,000 emergency shelters, 6,000 goats or 900 classrooms. The positive impacts also extend to those closer to home. For a small place,

Heritage Open Day at the Archive Service 14th September 2013

September sees the return of the nationwide Heritage Open Day initiative, giving us the chance to have a nose around buildings that are not usually open to the public.
to the hour from 10.15am to 3.15pm and take approximately 45 minutes. Places are limited; pre-book to secure a particular time slot or book for the next available tour when you arrive. There are lots of other things to see and do on the day including: 11-11.45am Story teller Mark Steinhardt - The tale of Frank Spooner the 100 year-old scandal of the Bedfordshire director of education (Council chamber) 2.30-3.00 pm Stephen Poulter introduces his new book Bedfordshire Through Time, which uses pictures from our collections contrasted with Stephens own photographs. (Council chamber) 20 minute teasers short open debates about issues we deal with everyday but which affect you too! at 10.20am, 12.05pm, 12.50pm, 2.05pm and 3.35pm (Council chamber) Session House to Borough Hall - A special exhibition of archives looking at the influence of local government on local architecture and not just on the buildings built and owned by them but how the planning regulations have affected the buildings around us. (Council Suite) There are hands-on activities too, so you can have a go at Describe the Document (the archive version of charades), try your hand at paper repair and test your knowledge of Bedfordshire. There are also childrens activities including rats & ladders, making diaries, catch the criminals and treasure trails. Self-service tea and coffee available in the staff lounge. Where is it? Riverside Building and the Council Suite, Borough Hall, Cauldwell St, Bedford MK42 9AP. Access via the 1st floor from Prebend Street walkway or stairs from the riverbank. For wheelchair access please contact Borough Hall on 01234 267422. Onsite parking at Borough Hall available for a small charge. To avoid a long walk, park at the river end of the car park and follow signs to the Archives Service. Time: 10 am - 4 pm. Admission Free.

Bedford is particularly well blessed with musical talent, and Oxjam offers a great opportunity for the town to celebrate this. Oxjams multi-venue festival format invites Bedfords residents to explore places that they might not otherwise consider. This years host venues are

Bedford will be hosting a Behind the

We hope you like this very special A Photo A Day issue of The Bedford Clanger.
t would not have been possible without all of the contributors to the project. There are over 70 of them, so a few too many to mention individually,

but you know who you are! Thanks to photographers Graham Watson and Andy Willsher for sharing the task of whittling over 1,000 photographs down to a more manageable 93. Thanks too to Peter Wigington of Fuji for helping us make the selection of the three finalists. A very, very big thank you to our sponsors: Coplan Estates, Fuji, The

Picture Gallery, We Are Bedford and Bedford Borough Council. And finally, thank you to the following: Designer: Marisa Straccia Coffee & Cake Correspondent: Alice Smith Additional editorial: Oxjam

scenes at the Archives: guided tours of Riverside Building on 14th September, perfect for anyone who is interested in how the archive service works, what it does, what it holds and what it may be used for. Tours of the Borough Hall Archive Service start at past and

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS