Check out the latest brochure from Bedford Corn Exchange - it's soon to be hot off the press but you can read it first now by tapping or clicking the front cover!

Some highlights to look out for:

• Dara O'Brian
• Legend - The Music of Bob Marley
• Dinosaur Live: The Big Jurassic Storm
• Chris Mccausland: Yonks!
• Taylor Mania
• Dreamcoat Stars
• The Anglia Comedy All Stars
• Sing the Musicals
• Milkshake! Live
• ABBA Forever

The Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama was founded in 1921 and provides a showcase for the wealth of talent in the amateur performing arts in Bedfordshire and the surrounding area.

The Festival offers a wide range of classes for all ages covering most musical genres including classical, musical theatre, jazz and Asian music, as well as many varied Speech and Drama classes including verse speaking, acting, mime and improvisation. It features categories for school groups, special school groups, orchestras, wind bands, junior and senior choirs and group creative performance.

Join the Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art for a lunchtime tour of some of the highlights of the exhibition from midday-2.30pm.

Colour & Light is a captivating new exhibition exploring the fascinating relationship between colour and light in art from the 18th century to the present day.

The exhibition showcases 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.

There is also a specially commissioned immersive digital experience artwork by Alison Goodyear, ‘Light & Colour’. 

Please book in advance, tickets are £3.60 per person.

Bedford Music Service, The Bedfordshire Festival of Music Speech and Drama and Bedford Music Cooperative are working in partnership to offer a first festival experience for some of their young performers.

This offers a performance experience in a professional venue offering positive and constructive feedback without any element of competition.

This runs from 6-8pm and is £2.50 for adults and just 50p for children.

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

Just pop in any time between 10.30am-midday 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 young people aged 11–17, at John Bunyan Sports and Fitness. 

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

Junior Basketball, Junior five-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.

Trail running offers a unique experience, combining fitness with the serenity of nature. It’s not just about the race; it’s about embracing the outdoors, challenging yourself, and enjoying every step along the way.

Cheer on the runners from 8.30am-5pm and enjoy the wonderful park.

County Archivist Pamela Birch will be giving a lecture on Many Mansions, the architectural records of Sir Albert Richardson.

The event begins at 7.30pm and is generously sponsored by David Fletcher.

Bedford International Athletics Stadium and the Healthwise team invite you and your loved ones to learn more about how to improve your health and wellbeing at this free event

Come and discover what services are available, ask questions, and find health and well-being tips. You can also have a complimentary blood pressure check. 

Be inspired by Alison Goodyear’s Light and Colour Community Project installation and be guided by the artist to create virtual artwork together.

Artist, Graham Fudger embarks on a Curious Adventure in Colour and Light as he brings together ten light-themed activities for a hands-on workshop to explore scientific principles of colour, light, and the science of seeing. 

Both of these workshops have limited places and so booking is essential. Alison’s workshops are is suitable for anyone aged thirteen plus. Graham’s workshops are suitable for all aged eight plus. 

You can also meet geologists from the Bedfordshire Geology Group, to ask questions on all aspects of geology and about the current Mary Anning exhibition. A selection of fossils and minerals will be on display. You're also welcome to bring along your own samples to find out more about them.

Plus, follow the Timeline and see how our use of materials has changed through history.

All children should be accompanied by an adult.  

All activities are free.

Join in with all sorts of free activities taking place at different times, from 9.30am-5pm.

Follow the Bedford International Athletics Stadium Facebook page to find what sessions are planned and nearer the time, how to book your place.

Try sports such as badminton, short tennis, basketball, pickleball and table tennis, and have a go at a fitness class.

There'll be a small soft play area for younger children and older children can enjoy football, rugby and athletics outside.

There'll be activities available for supported needs and supervised use of trikes.

Better Healthwise will be offering blood pressure checks and GP referral 9am-midday.

It's also an opportunity speak about current vacancies at the stadium.

The café will be open all day with hot and cold food and drinks.

The Queens Park Community Organisation present a day of local Irish bands, dancers and traditional food from midday-5pm.

Live entertainment comes from The Black and Gold, The Castle Session Band, Chris Law, The Barrys, Out of the Hat and Also-rans.

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.

This month the theme is 'Gardening and Allotments'. How does your garden grow? There are many private and public gardens that we all enjoy, come and share your favourite plants, flowers, produce and green spaces.

We would love to hear your stories!

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.

Local residents are invited to join a community Rivercare Clean Up from 10am-midday.

The clean-up will focus on the area alongside the river near Bedford Town Bridge in St Mary’s Gardens. Volunteers will be tasked with litter picking along the riverside, with support from kayakers clearing the banks. The Environment Agency will also be present to assist.

For more information or to enquire about volunteering, please contact Bedford Borough Council at volunteering@bedford.gov.uk 

It's your last chance to find out more about the awe-inspiring story of Mary Anning, the pioneering fossil hunter who unearthed marine reptiles and discovered the secrets of Jurassic life.

Explore the Jurassic specimens held at The Higgins Bedford in this display curated in partnership with Bedfordshire Geology Group.

Crafternoons are a free monthly drop-in creative activity session for families to have a go at 'making' together and enjoy the chance to get creative.

Suitable for children under 12 and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

This can get busy and there can be a small wait for children to have a go.

Peter Gutteridge, of the Nelson Society which studies and celebrates Horatio Nelson, who was one of the greatest sea-officers in history, gives a lecture on From Disaster at Tenerife to Triumph at the Nile, from 7.30pm.

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.

Are you ready to feast your senses on Bedford’s best street food?

On the last Friday of the month from March to September, the very best street food traders from across the county come together to bring happy crowds flavours from around the world.

Bedford Credit Union is excited to launch a new event  helping residents to save money, budget and become financially resilient in the cost-of-living crisis.

The Cost of Living Fair will host local and national organisations, charities and community groups who can help you to save money, spend wisely and offer advice or tips on managing your money. 

As well as the opportunity to swap books and craft supplies, you can play the “Pass the Piggybank” game or share your best money-saving tip for the chance to win Mini Landmark Golf or Viking Boat vouchers, generously donated by the fabulous Longholme Cafe and Kiosk in the Park.

Free pop-up event will offer fixing tips and help from volunteers.

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

The Bedford Junior Aquathlon is a continuous swim and run event, with different distances depending on school year.

There will be competitions for each year group and the event has a staggered start, so everyone is running their own race.

Participants start on poolside, swim their allocated distance, put running clothes on and leave to run round the park. The ‘clock’ is on the whole time.

The deadline to book your place is 5pm on Tuesday 18 March.

These sessions offer a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for swimmers of all abilities from 2-3pm.

It's just £3 per person with one carer free.

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.

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.

Enjoy up to four hours of free parking each day at Lurke Street and Allhallows Car Park.

First two hours parking are free in Queen Street Car Park.

Up to two hours parking 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.