Don't forget it's the last chance to visit the Community Portrait exhibition at The Higgins Bedford this month. The exhibition is in partnership with Bedford Creative Arts and Fujifilm ends on 23 February.

It explores the history of photography from 1840's glass plate through to current digital techniques and onwards towards a potential future involving AI. The exhibition features images taken by local school-age children, Bedford College students, community groups and professional photographers.

The popular Cardboard Clues at The Higgins has been extended due to popular demand and will end on 23 February.

Don your detective hat for Murder in the Museum, a unique mystery adventure.

Search for clues and track 'cardboard' characters throughout the exhibits to piece together their stories and solve the mysteries.

Perfect for families and friends, tickets are £25 per team.

A drop-in workshop for children under 5 years of age. No need to book.

Just pop in any time between 10.30am-12pm or 1- 2.30pm and stay for as long as you like.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Junior Gym and Junior Sports Hall activities are available for 11–17 year-olds at John Bunyan Sports and Fitness. 

Activities are held Tuesday - Friday, 3.30pm-6pm, and on  Saturdays, 9am-11am, 12pm-2pm, 3pm-5pm.

Junior Basketball, Junior 5-a-side Football, Junior Badminton and Junior Table Tennis are all available to book online, on the app or in person. The sports hall is available for drops ins within these times to play with friends!

Please book places in advance.

Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity will offer weekly sessions to promote wellbeing among parents in the peri-natal period – during pregnancy and the first year of baby’s life.

The group will support the wellbeing of parents and parents-to-be by offering group nature-based activities that encompass the Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connection, Be Active, Learn, Take Notice and Give Back.

Bestselling author Ruth Hogan will be joining us at Bromham Library to talk about her wonderful books and life as an author.

Ruth's debut novel, The Keeper of Lost Things, was the winner of the Richard and Judy Readers' Award and a Sunday Times bestseller.

Copies of Ruth's books will be available to buy after Ruth's talk and she will be happy to sign them.

Tickets are £2 per person and must be purchased in advance.

Join in with friendly and informal reminiscence coffee morning from 11am-12.30pm.

It's a great way to meet new people, be inspired by memories and stories of the past, plus it's free - with refreshments available for £1.

This month the theme is 'Recipes and Remedies', do you have a family recipe with a ‘secret’ ingredient? What were the best and worst foods you shared at home and at school? Which special foods had healing qualities?

We would love to hear about them!

The Higgins Bedford is delighted to announce the opening of Colour and Light, a captivating new exhibition exploring the fascinating relationship between colour and light in art from the 18th century to the present day.

Opening on Saturday 15 February and running until 2 November 2025, the exhibition will showcase a dazzling array of works from The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection, including iconic pieces by JMW Turner, John Singer Sargent, Sonia Delaunay, Peter Blake, and Chila Kumari Singh Burman.

Join trained actor and teacher Toby as he engages children with immersive story reading.

He'll also help children create their own stories using puppets, drawings, songs and the artwork from the gallery.

Ideal for ages up to seven, children must bring along an adult.

Toby's Tall Tales begins at 2.30pm, please be aware, space in the gallery is limited and is offered on a first come first served basis.

Board game fun for the whole family, the Ready Steady Roll ‘Games Gurus’ will be on the first floor of the library with a selection of board games for families to try.

This is a free session with no need to book but there may be busy periods. Please note, games may not be suitable for under fives and parents and carers are responsible for children.

Ready Steady Roll is an award-winning board game café and shop with a dedicated area to play games with guidance from the Games Gurus.

Get hands on and create your own fossils using air drying clay.  Will you make ammonites or dinosaur bones or a collection of all things prehistoric? Suitable for children aged 5-12 years.

Workshops are for one hour and start at 11.15am, 12.45pm and 2.15pm. Each session is £5.50 per child.

The critically acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show created by Jonathan Rockefeller features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets.

The production faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Busy Spider and of course, the star of the show – The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar has delighted generations of readers since it was first published in 1969 selling more than 48 million copies worldwide. Brown Bear, Brown Bear - now celebrating 50 years - has sold more than 18.2 million copies.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is a vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics and the perfect introduction to live theatre.

Monthly creative activities for families to have a go at together and enjoy, drop in between 2-4pm.

Suitable for under twelves, children must be accompanied by an adult.

Please be aware that space is limited and there may be a wait to start.

Celebrate with us on our LGBT+ History Month Festival Day with talks and workshops from local speakers, artists, poets, creatives and activists.

Featuring keynote speaker Max Fisher, poetry with Katie O'Pray, a social activism panel discussion with Drew Dalton, Lisa Vine, and Harun Tulunay, and the launch of "The Prosecutor" book with author Jack Fairweather.

The festival runs from 11am-4.30pm, is free, with no booking required.

Free pop up fixing by volunteers.

Repair rebels teaching you how to 💚 your stuff and reduce waste in Bedford Borough!

These online sessions allow you to speak with a member of our team in an informal and relaxed environment from 7pm on Microsoft Teams.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about all things fostering.

Please book in advance so the team can send you a link to the meeting.

This jobs fair will have a number of recruiting employers in attendance but also an emphasis on skills, training and personal development with local training providers delivering employability workshops (interview prep, CVs etc.) and offering individual support to attendees.

More information will be announced soon so do keep an eye on our social media channels!

Join Nicky Perfect as she shares her incredible experiences as a hostage negotiator.

Nicky is a BEM-communication coach, trainer, speaker and author. In her book, Crisis, she explores the importance of using the correct communication techniques, especially when emotions are running high and fear starts to take over behaviour.

Nicky has appeared in Good Housekeeping, BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour, Crime Watch, Radio Three Counties, Woman's Own, Chat Magazine, Woman's Weekly, Daily Mail, and BBC Online.

Copies of Nicky’s book will be available to buy after Nicky’s talk and she will be happy to sign them.

Tickets are £2 each and must be purchased in advance.

These youth clubs run during term time, 5.30-7.30pm each week:

Kempston, Hillgrounds Road - Tuesdays

Wixams, Lakeview Village Hall  - Wednesdays

Great Denham, Community Centre - Thursdays

There are games, arts and crafts, snack, projects. A perfect way for young people to spend time with friends!

The club is for young people in school years 7 and above.

Applications for financial support from the GLL Sport Foundation are now open, so if you or someone you know is great at a sport but could miss out on opportunities due to funding.

Do you find maths a bit scary or do you know someone who would like some support?

Although it can sometimes feel challenging we all use numbers every day – at work, at home and when we’re out.

These different workshops help people to:

• build confidence managing money  
• confidently use maths at home and at work
• shop for less and learn to cook to suit your lifestyle
• support your children with homework
• unlock new career and learning opportunities
• achieve an accredited maths qualification.

As part of the Government’s Adult Numeracy programme known as Multiply, Bedford Borough Council has received funding to offer courses that will help you to improve your skills and confidence with maths.

Up to four hours free parking each day at Lurke Street and Allhallows Car Park.

First two hours parking free in Queen Street Car Park.

Up to two hours every Saturday in all Council-owned town centre single and multi-storey car parks.

Free parking all day every Sunday in Council-owned town centre car parks.

Don't forget that bus fares are just £3, and there are plenty of places to lock your bike in the town centre.

There's also the secure cycle shelter on the corner of the Harpur Centre, email highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk with your full name, address, and contact number to register an account and find details of the app to gain entry.