• Leisure and culture
• Tourism and travel
• Local attractions
• Ford End Watermill
• Leighton Buzzard Theatre
• Local clubs and groups
• What's on
• Zoos and farm parks

Alpine Garden Society - Annual Show 13 March

Bedfordshire Group Annual Show

Saturday 13th March

12:30 - 16:30.

Wilstead Village Hall
(MK45 3BX)

A wide range of alpine plants will be on display, as well as artwork by the local school. Entry is 50p for adults and free for children. Refreshments and a raffle will be available.

For more information contact:
Email: mail@bedfordshirealpines.com
Tel: 01767 626 185

Or visit: Bedfordshire Alpines

Ampthill Choral Society Concert - 15 May

The Choral Society will be performing The Seasons by Haydn

Venue: St Andrew's Church in Ampthill
Time: 7.30 pm
Price: Tickets £7.50

Please contact John Herod 01525 860491

Artists' Network Bedfordshire - Open Studios, 1 to 30 June

Original art, crafts, prints, photography, ceramics. and much more.

Meet the artists. Many demonstrations. Various locations.

For details of participating artists and studios, opening times, map and directions, visit our website

Arts and Craft Sale - 3 April

Free eggs and face painting for the children

Venue: Bedford Square Centre, Bedford Square Shopping Centre, Houghton Regis

Time: 9.30 to 3.30

Contact: Pauline on 07877364228 should you require a stall.

Event run in conjunction with a Bedford Square Easter Egg Hunt organised by the Town Council.

Bedford Museum and Gallery - Activities and events

Bedford Museum event listing

Biggleswade and District Choral Society - Spring Concert Saturday 13 March

Mendelssohn's 'Hymn of Praise' and Holst's 'Two Psalms' plus two choruses from Messiah.

Venue: St Mary's Church Potton
Time: 7.30pm
Price: Tickets £7.00 on the door

Biggleswade and District Choral Society, in its 65th year and under the baton of dynamic new Musical Director Karen Brown, brings these beautiful classics to Potton.

Brass Quintet - 21 March

Date: 21st March 2010
Venue: Blunham Parish Church
Time: 3:00pm.
Cost: Tickets on the door £5.00

Walk through time from Gabrielle to the Beatles with the Brass Quintet, conducted by Liz Schofiled

All proceeds to the Church Fabric Funds.

Charity Chinese Meal - 29 March

    In aid of the Road Victims trust

Venue: Dragons oriental Restaurant
Time: 7.30
Cost: £12.00 per head

Further information about the event is available here (application/pdf; 35kB)

Charity Concert - 10 April

Concert featuring the Hitchin Band in aid of The Leprosy Mission

Venue: St. Swithun's Church, Sandy
Date: Saturday April 10^th 
Time: 7.30 pm .

Further details from Colin Osborne on 01767 682032

The Leprosy Mission website

Chilterns Gateway visitor Centre - programme of events 2010

A full programme of events is available on our Chilterns Gateway Visitor Centre pages

Duck Race and Family Bar-b-que - 10 July

Acorn Pre-School are holding their annual Duck Race and Family BBQ

Venue: The White Swan Pub in Shefford
Date: Saturday 10^th July 2010
Time: Starts 12 noon, first race 12:30pm

A great day out for all the family with duck racing, crafts, face painting, games and much more – Now in its 15^th Year!

Further information can be found on our website

Easter Egg Hunt - 28 March

Family Fun!! Egg Hunt, Games, Face Painting and Stalls

   Event in Aid of Sue Ryder

Time: 2pm - 4pm
Venue:St. John's Hospice
Contact: Danielle Brandon - Fundraiser 01767 641044 danielle.brandon@suerydercare.org

Address: Sue Ryder Care Centre - St. John's Hospice
St. John's Road
Moggerhanger
Bedford
MK44 3RJ

Events at the Forest of Marston Vale - March to June 2010

The Forest of Marston Vale covers over 61 square miles of the very heart of Bedfordshire, England. For several years our team has been working on repairing decades of industrial use by improving the landscape and environment as part of our 40 year vision. 

An initiative of the Countryside Agency and the Forestry Commission, in partnership with Bedfordshire County Council, Mid Bedfordshire District Council, and Bedford Borough Council.

Forthcoming events for 2010

Events at Bedfordshire Libraries

Find out more about other events around the county (new window).

Farmers' markets

At Farmers’ Markets, you can buy produce direct from the local Farmer or producer. The stallholders all sell products that they themselves have grown, reared, brewed, baked or processed. Producers trading at a Farmers’ Market must be based within 30 miles of the market site. This encourages a range of seasonal products characteristic of the local area. It also helps support producers who live and work within the same local community as their customers.

Farmers' Markets are currently running at the following venues:

Bedford Farmers' Market
Biggleswade Farmer's Market
Cranfield Farmers' Market
Dunstable Downs
Leighton Buzzard Farmers' Market
Milton Ernest Garden Centre
Roxton Garden Centre
Sandy Farmers' Market
Shefford Farmers Market
Woburn Farmers' Market

Further information and opening times

Fundraising Afternoon for Keech Hospice Care for Children - 1 May

at

Silsoe Village Hall on Sat May 1^st

from

2 – 4.30pm

• Homemade Refreshments

• Face Painting by Fantasy Crafts (10b Barton Ind Est., Faldo Rd, Barton-le-Clay tel : 01582 882727)

• Children’s Games

• Plants – Cakes – Books – Nearly New

• Raffle – Toys – Records – Bric-a-Brac

Special Guest Paddington Bear

Free Entry - Further details from Judith 01525 860500

Grand Jumble Sale - Friday 7 May

Venue: Clophill Village Hall.
Time: The doors will be opened at 7.00pm.
Cost: Entrance will be charged at 30p per adult, accompanied children are free.

Refreshments available.

All profits are donated for the direct benefit of the residents at the Leonard Cheshire DisAbility Home in Ampthill. If you have any good quality jumble for us please call 01525 861110. We look forward to seeing you there.

Grove Theatre, Dunstable

The £16m development opened on the 21 April 2007.  A striking glass frontage leads into an open and airy foyer, boasting spectacular views over the neighbouring park from the first floor.

Visit the Grove Theatre (new window) website to see what is on this Spring.

HULA calendar of events - next event Spring Open Day 14 March

Homes for Unwanted and Lost Animals (HULA)

All Proceeds from these events goes to the Care and Welfare of HULA’s Rescued Animals

Enquiries: (01908) 584000
Website
Email: hularescue@tiscali.co.uk

Rgd. Charity 1094115 

Learning and Skills Fair - 18 March

Bedfordshire Adult Skills and Community Learning is working with local agencies and partners to host a Learning and Skills Fair (application/pdf; 209kB).

Venue: St Augustine's Church in Downside in Dunstable
Date: Thursday 18th March 2010
Time: 10.00am-1.00pm.

This local community event is being held to show everyone how they can improve their quality of life and gain new skills through high quality learning opportunities .  There will be organisations on hand demonstrating examples of how to gain new skills, offering free advice, support and guidance to help the local community get into work, learning or the voluntary Sector.  If you would like to find out more details or would like to be an exhibitor at the event please contact Victoria Morton on 01582 818744 or victoria.morton@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

Ladies 10 Mile Midnight Walk - 15 May

   Event in aid of Sue Ryder Care

Date: Saturday 15th May
Venue: Bedford International Athletic Stadium, Bedford

For more details and to register please visit the Sue Ryder website 

Contact: Danielle Brandon 01767 641044

Life Exhibition - 27 March

Date: Saturday 27 March
Time: 10am - 1.30pm
Venue: Hockliffe Street Baptist Church, Leighton Buzzard

A fun interactive experience about the Life of Jesus Christ. Free admission and refreshments.

Call 01525 371312 for more details.

Jumble Sale - 20 March

In aid of Windmill Pre School

Date: Sat 20th March 2010
Time: 1pm 
Venue: Flitwick Village Hall, Dunstable Road, Flitwick. Beds

Refreshments available

Windmill Pre-school website

King's Arm Garden, Ampthill - opening times 2010

The gardens are open the last Sunday of the month

Opening times

January and February and October 2.00pm to 4.00pm

March - September 2.30pm to 5..00pm.

November and December closed

Please ring 01525 403945 for more details if required.

NGS Gardens Open for Charity

Lace and Craft Day - 8 May

Catherine Lacemakers

Date: Saturday, 8 May 2010
Time: 10.00 am until 4.00 pm
Venue: Wetherley Centre, Stratton School, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade
Speaker: Jill Collinge - "I Never Knew That" - the origin of sayings
Tickets: £4.00, young lacemakers £1.50

Please bring a packed lunch, tea and coffee available, cakes in the afternoon

There will be 6 craft stalls - shoppers welcome between 10.00 am and 12.00 pm , cost £1

Available from: Irene Rusbridge, 41 Havelock Road, Biggleswade, Beds, SG18 0DH

Please include an SAE

Moggerhanger Park Events

Moggerhanger Park is a Georgian Grade 1 listed building is of considerable architectural interest. Designed by Sir John Soane, it is recognised as the most complete, surviving example of his work. Moggerhanger House is set in 33 acres of parkland, originally landscaped by Humphry Repton. Many of the original features may still be seen in the grounds, including spacious walled gardens, an ice house and a peaceful woodland walk.

Events listing for Summer 2010

Website: Moggerhanger Park

Quiz night - 27 March

Venue: Westoning Village Hall
Time: Doors open at 7.30pm Quiz starts at 7.45pm
Price: £6 per person including buffet

No bar but tea and coffee available

Teams of up to 8 people - places are limited so to avoid disapointment book a team with:

Elaine: 07778 455422 or Margaret: 01525 750013

All proceeds in Aid of Mid Shires Search and Rescue Team

RSPB reserve The Lodge, Sandy - Events March 2010

The Lodge nature reserve opened in 1961. The woodland, heath and acid grassland here cover 180 hectares, and are being restored to form the largest stretch of heathland in Bedfordshire.

Opening times

The reserve is open from 9 am-9 pm (or sunset when earlier). The shop is open from 9 am-5 pm on weekdays and 10 am-5 pm at weekends and Bank Holidays.

Entrance charges

Non-members: £4 per motor vehicle. Members, and those just visiting the shop, can park for free. Please obtain a ticket from the ticket machine in the visitors car park, and display it in your vehicle.

Event listing for The Lodge - March 2010

St Mary's Henlow, Annual Fete - 8 May

Incorporating Scouts & Raynsford School PTA

Date: Saturday 8 May 2010,
Time: 2.00 to 5.00pm
Venue: The Boyd Scout Activity Centre, Church Road Henlow

• Arena Events
• Craft Stalls & Games
• Scouting Activities
• Local Authority Services
• Refreshments
• Grand Draw
• Flight Auction

For further details please telephone 01462 812536

St Mary's Website

Stockwood Discovery Centre

A year of massive rebuilding and refurbishment saw the transformation of the former Stockwood Park Museum into a new visitor attraction and museum that opened its door to the public on 12th July 2008.

The Centre is designed with environmentally green and sustainable principles in mind. It tells the stories of real people behind the collections, exploring the history of the region from prehistoric times to the evolution of Stockwood House and the Farley estate. The display collections include geology, archaeology, social history and rural crafts. Highlights include the Wenlok Jug - a rare medieval masterpiece with strong links to Luton’s history and development, the town’s last tram and the famous Mossman collection of carriages - the largest collection of its kind on display in the UK. A paradise for garden enthusiasts, Stockwood Discovery Centre is one of the few places in the country where the work of acclaimed artist Ian Hamilton Finlay can be seen on permanent display. His Improvement Garden is a classical garden in which the sculptures are an integral part of the landscape. Once part of the original Stockwood House walled areas, the Period Gardens reflect the changing styles of gardening in this country. New areas include a contemplative Sensory Garden, a colourful World Garden and a Medicinal Garden highlighting the usefulness of plants. The Centre also offers a range of complementary services and facilities including group bookings and excursions, corporate room and venue hire, birthday parties, weddings, schools sessions and adult learning courses.

Please see our Events listings

Stotfold Mill Steam Fair and Country Show - 8/9 May

Venue: Stotfold Mill, Bedfordshire, SG5 4NU
Date: 8/9 May
Time: 10.30am - 5.00pm

A fun day out for the whole family - arena attractions, the wall of death, vintage fair rides, helicopter rides, steam engines, classic cars, have-a-go archery and clay shoot, free kids' zone, craft marquee, outside trade stands, food court, live music, licensed bar. Mill open both days.

Further information is available on our website

Supporting Dementia

A one or a two day event:

That will offer practical knowledge, skills and tools to support and empower you in your caring role.  These events are intended for people in a caring role of someone with dementia; who does not work for care services. 

A list of dates, venues and a booking form are available here (application/pdf; 264kB). 

Times: Each day will run 9:45am – 4:00 pm 

Who should attend?  This series of events is intended only for carers of people with dementia 
who do not work in Care Services. 

There will be a maximum group size of 20 people per event. 

Terry Lightfoot and His Jazz Men - 20 March 2010

at 

St. Mary's Church, Meppershall

Time: 7.30pm

Tickets: £15 (Bar available)

Tel: 01462 813357

Email:trevor.thorley1@btinternet.com

Terry Lightfoot and His Jazz Band website

The Friends of St. Mary's

The Friends of St. Mary's Meppershall aim is to work for the upkeep and well-being of the church which dates back to 1230.  Since the formation of the group in 1992 they have raised money for a new organ, new bell-ropes, audio system, and contributed £8,000 towards reshaping the vestry.

Currently the Tower is in urgent need of repair, an enormous amount of money is required and funds raised from this concert will go towards this project.

Woburn Area Decorative and Fine Arts Society

2009 Programme of Lectures and Visits

The National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies was launched in 1968 by Patricia Fay with eleven societies and has expanded to over 330 societies in the UK, 10 in Europe, 28 in Australia and 2 in New Zealand. With 90,000 members worldwide, NADFAS works towards promoting and preserving the arts.

The Association's concerns include voluntary work to maintain historic buildings, recording churches and their contents, working towards developing the arts for the young and maintaining lecture programmes for members.

For further information please contact enquiries@nadfas.org.uk or 020 7430 0730. Local NADFAS groups can be found via the national website. 

The Woburn branch runs as a self-contained society, organising its own events etc. and pays NADFAS a capitation charge for central activities such as a quarterly magazine.  NADFAS is a charity.
 
For details of attending or membership the contact is Peter Lomax, e-mail address: peter@lomaxnet.com.

Lectures

Illustrated lectures are held at the Aspley Guise, Village hall, Woburn Lane, usually on the last Thursday of the month, commencing promptly at 8 p.m. Refreshments are  available after the lecture.

Visitors

Members may bring a guest at a charge of £7.50 per meeting.  No guest may come more than four times annually. Please sign the visitors book on arrival.

Speakers 2010

25 February: Dr Paula Nuttall - Beautiful, Beastly, Bizarre: The Art of Hieronymus Bosch.
Bosch is well known for the use of fantastic imagery to illustrate moral and religious concepts and narratives.

25 March: Zara Fleming - A journey across the Himalayas
This lecture will focus on the Buddhist area of the Himalayas, revered by many as the 'abode of the Gods', once the domain of Tibetan culture and religion.

29 April: Kate Williams - Royal Scandals throughout the ages
This illustrated talk lifts the lid on tales of cash for honours, spurned mistresses, mistreated wives and eye-popping levels of spending.

27 May: Jane Gardiner - 'From Posset Pots to Pew Groups' - The Fashion for Collecting Early English China
A look at the vitality and diversity of early English pottery from the first English Delftware of the early 17th century to the development of Staffordshire white salt-glazed stoneware of the 18th century.

24 June: Hilary Williams - The Frick Collection New York
The Frick collection includes some of the best-known paintings by the greatest European artists, major works of sculpture, superb 18th century French furniture and porcelains, Limoges enamels, Oriental rugs, and other works of remarkable quality.

Visits and Social Programme 2010

21 April: Audley End 

19 May: V&A proposed - Horace Walpole exhibition

TBA : Summer Garden Party

Pick-up Point: Woburn main car park opposite St Mary’s Church 

Woburn Sands Big Band Society

Listening to Swing, Blues and Jazz on good quality sound equipment

Programme of events

Free car parking available behind the shops in the High Street, entry from Russell Street

Membership application forms available at the desk.

For further information call:
David Higgs - Tel:01908 583937
or
Rex Harris - Tel:01908 281235