Week-end events
Occasional newsletter June 2006
Visit to Bedford Museum's exhibition on the Second World War
I can recall a comment by someone in town that the British have an obsession with the second world war, with their endless reminiscences, re-enactments and exhibitions. The fact is that the last century saw two massive wars, with millions of lives being wasted.
A second reason for such recollections is that with Hollywood war films, often totally distorting history and presenting a sort of glamour to war, we need to be reminded of what people of both sides went through, so that hopefully we will all be restrained from allowing such atrocities to take place again.
As one entered the Bedford Museum, a band was presenting songs of the time - a delightful touch.
David Fowler, an enthusiast who spends much of his spare time showing people round the interesting areas of Bedford (yes there are many!) gave a spirited talk about life in Bedford in the forties. Plans were being made secretly some time before the war began, but shopkeepers must have wondered why they were cleaned out of tin bowls (Woolworths), chemists cleaned out of condoms, and sweetshops of aniseed balls!
To what end? As the picture shows, to perfect the limpet mine which made a significant contribution during the conflict. All this was going on in June 1939 in 171 Tavistock Street, now a car-hire establishment. This was just one small item in a fascinating one-hour talk. Mention was made of the evacuations from London, the presence of the BBC during the war, and the famous personalities who were in Bedford during the conflict. One little snippet - Adrian Boult, the conductor, cycled all the way from Bristol to Bedford - a distance of some 125 miles!
We were also treated to a fashion show of clothes used in those times. I might add that there is a slide show available at any time, providing historical snippets and peoples' recollections. It really is an adventurous Museum, entrance is free, and one can be guaranteed to receive a welcome.
Biddenham Steel Band at Pigeon Square
A year ago, a number of students from Biddenham Upper School went to South Africa for a week to renovate a school, and this was such a successful event that it was decided to repeat it. The students have been involved in all sorts of enterprises in order to raise money for travel, and also to be able to buy much needed essentials. Today the Steel Band performed in Pigeon square, a performance that was enthusiastically received. I hope that they raised a substantial amount for this school.
Do not be under any illusions. This is no amateurish band! Under the guidance of Mark Horton, the performing arts have become something quite spectacular at this school, one of the highlights being a performance of West Side story. But the steel band also performed so well that it played in the National Youth Music Festival in Birmingham last year, and as a result were performing in the Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in November.
The collection for Africa came to £650.
Kite Flying Festival
Russell Park was once again the venue for this international event, with experts coming from countries far afield. It attracted a large number, and the weather was superb. Except for one thing - there was not enough wind! During the hour or so I was there, there was nothing like the number of kites flying last year, but who knows, today might be better. However, there were loads of entertainments for children, a popular one being a stall where one could buy bubble makers.
In keeping, perhaps, with the football season there was an invitation to "support Britain" by buying a candy bra and g-string!.
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I suppose that my main disappointment was the huge number of fast food outlets. These made Russell Park appear to be hosting a huge event, but it all seemed rather tatty. I just hope that this will not be repeated at the forthcoming River Festival next month.
Robert Leggat