First Bedford Gallery Film Night Thursday 3rd December

Bedford Gallery will be open from 5pm ‘til late, with films starting at 7pm, no need to book. Free event.

See Edward Bawden’s posters for these classic films upstairs then watch the films downstairs.

Thur 3rd Dec The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953)
Ealing comedy, starring Stanley Holloway and George Relph

Thur 21st Jan Hue & Cry (1947)
Ealing comedy starring Alastair Sim

Call 01234 353323 for more details

Edward Bawden Review in the Independent

Click on the picture below to read Rhoda Koenig's four star review of the Edward Bawden Exhibition in the Independent.

Star Gazing Events

To celebrate the launch of the Star Gazing exhibition we will be having a FREE Family Day on Saturday 5th December, 11am – 4pm at Bedford Gallery

Activities include two FREE rocket-making workshops aimed at children aged 4 – 9yrs, led by Tom Karen, the designer of the iconic Raleigh Chopper and the 3-wheeled Bond Bug. These will start at 11am and 2pm and can be pre-booked via Bedford Museum on 01234 353323. Rocket launching will take place at the end of each workshop!
Members of the Bedford Astronomical Society will also be on hand, giving telescope demonstrations and answering your astronomy questions.

Other star-gazing events include a FREE evening lecture at Bedford Gallery, Tue 8th December, 7pm. ‘Admiral Smyth and Astronomy in Bedford’ promises to tell the fascinating story of astronomy in Bedford, given by Linton Guise, Astronomer at Bedford School. Supported by the Royal Society.

On Friday 15th January there will be an open evening at the Piazzi Smyth Observatory and Wolfson Planetarium, 7pm at Bedford School.

Call the Art Gallery & Museum on 01234 353323 to book your place on one of these very special visits. A planetarium show will be followed by a rare chance to view distant stars through the observatory telescope – providing it’s a clear night!

Also, on Wednesday 16th December, 1pm at Bedford Gallery there will be a FREE lunchtime talk given by the Bedford Astronomical Society. ‘Astronomy – a beginners guide’ will be a brief introduction and overview for those interested to learn more about astronomy

Star Gazing: Admiral Smyth's Celestial Observations

An astronomical exhibition at Bedford Gallery (Lower Gallery only) from 5th December

Admiral Smyth, veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, built a private observatory in the garden of his Bedford home. From here, he observed and described deep-sky objects including star clusters and nebulae. This exhibition, part of the nationwide Local Heroes project celebrating 350 years of the Royal Society, looks at Smyth’s achievements and features images taken by the Hubble space telescope.

Winds of Exchange Free Family Day

Bedford Museum on Saturday 21st November 11am – 4pm

To celebrate our Winds of Exchange exhibition we are holding a FREE Family Day. Come along and join in with a range of activities inspired by the colour and creativity of Japanese culture.

The activities on offer include:
• Trying on kimonos
• Origami – The art of Japanese paper-folding. Learn to make Christmas trees and other decorations from Origami.
• Japanese writing
• Making Temari balls – Temari balls are a traditional Japanese craft that uses silk threads to make decorative patterned balls. They are often exchanged as gifts or used as Christmas decorations.
• Kumihimo braiding – Kumihimo braids have traditionally been used by Samurai as a decorative and functional way to lace their armour.
• Japanese choir (pm) from Milton Keynes
• Raku pot firing - Glaze your own tea bowl and watch it be Raku fired before taking it home (£2.50 per bowl, one per family) Firing by Andrew Jelly.