week 1 special features
Download the Gala Weekend programme HERE in Adobe PDF (4.2 MB)Bedford Arts Forum and article magazine Bedford UK have so much pride in Bedford that they invited Jersey artists to share a unique non-commercial, voluntarily organised 10 week community arts festival! What with the BCA Gallery novel exhibitions livening up the lower end of the High Street and the Castle Road redevelopment’s tall blue spire reaching skywards offering exciting opportunities; as if these aren’t enough, the 2 year refurbishment of the Cecil Higgins Gallery, the opening of the new Bedford Gallery on 1 April and the planned overhaul of Bedford Museum, Eagle Gallery, and summer season art exhibitions at Bedford School and historic Bromham Mill just beginning, Bedfordians have everything to shout about—where pride is concerned! Oh, I forgot . . .the floodlit Victorian Embankment, the Great Ouse, Bedford and Star Rowing Club athletes, waterfowl and nesting swans current just a stone’s throw from the Castle Mound, great King Offa’s alleged one time basecamp. The Swan Hotel, the Park Inn and the newly refurbished Embankment Hotel edge this beautiful scenario . . .
And on from 1 May, Bedford Jersey Arts Festival throws open its doors over 10 weeks at town centre venues and across the county to celebrate 70 years of friendship between the two ‘principalities’ of Bedford and Jersey! Did you know Jersey boys were evacuated to Bedford in WWII? Come along to some of the many themed Festival events and you will be as intrigued and admiring as those that know already how brave, courageous and loyal were families on both sides of the English Channel during WWII.
GALA OPENING BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND INVOLVING MANY JERSEY VISITORS
Krakow Café on 1 May for dinner anyone?
On 2 May, The White Horse hosts 12 hours of non stop WWII themed music, dance, beer tasting and great food and drink: officially opened at 1 pm by John Verity, David R Morgan and compere Michael Pipe . . .with a surprise very regal celebrity VIP!
The Festival Gala Day on 3 May opens at the Festival Church of St Peter at 10.15 am with a special service of blessing. A 12.30 pm Gala Buffet Luncheon in the Erskine May Hall at Bedford Prep School with Daubeney Choir and young Polish dancers includes the official Festival opening by Patrick Hall MP and Sally Le Brocq, Jurat Lieutenant of Jersey and Philip Le Brocq, compere of a 2.30 pm Gala Performance, introducing a new play telling of the young Jersey evacuees performed by present Victoria College, Jersey boys. The afternoon continues with music from many of Bedford’s most loved all age musicians and very special guests Mark and Flynn Le Brocq. Mark, a world renowned tenor and his son a teenage choral scholar bring a programme of English music, adding to Bedford School’s Charles Martin, Malcolm Green and Laurie Martin. With afternoon tea this will be a unique, international and memorable day for old friends but this is not just a day for Old Bedfordians and Victorians but for everybody to share a relaxed and informal afternoon of music, drama, good company—and food! Tickets include lunch, drinks, afternoon tea and the Gala Performance are £25/£20 concessions providing four hours of unforgettable music and drama.
Bank Holiday Monday brings Bedford and Jersey historians to St Peter’s Chapter House for four Talks ‘n’ Tea (a Jersey cream tea, what else?) The evening tribute by Cantamus to a much admired Bedford composer, Paul Edwards in St Peter’s brings the first of ten themed summer weekends to a close.
Full programme with developments, photos and film on
www.bedfordjerseyartsfestival.co.uk
Sandra, Nigel and Sue invite you all to the White Horse on Saturday 2 May at 1 pm for a shared 'pub culture' grand opening of two Festivals!
This Bedford River Festival 2008 quartet and (l) Michael Pipe and (r) John Verity with their usual outstanding musical rocket firing expertise set the sky alight with JV's oh so familiar guitar solo anthem played at every gig! David R Morgan, Festival Laureate reads his own Festival Poem, the haunting Elsewhere - see Festival Laureate page.
And . . .a very celebrated regal surprise guest opens the day! Who can it be? Come on down and discover - and enjoy 12 hours of continuous live entertainment through to late night jazz from the Roy Hunt Trio.
Great food and entertainment continues through Sunday and Monday. FREE!
The Festival Gala Day is delighted to support Headway Cumbria of which Mark Le Brocq is Patron and Headway Bedford welcoming volunteers to share their wonderful work
Chris Puleston and the Half Moon Drum Circle bursts into life at 2 pm on the White Horse outdoor stage! Who is in his band but FAB Nights promoter of the recent smash hit Steeleye Span Corn Exchange concert, Michele Read!!
Swingsters Lindy Hop workshop and demo
Shambles Big Band from Dunstable
Chris Puleston with Half Moon Drum Circle at The White Horse on 2 May at 2 pm. Michele Read, FAB Nights superstar music promoter is one of the drummers.
....also see Chris Puleston with SOMA Afro Indie drum workshop at the Festival Music Fringe on 24 May at 2.15 pm at Bedford Prep School
One of the 'Superstars' bookings of the Festival
The Jersey Le Brocq family is well represented on 3 May and 24 May, not the least world renowned tenor, Mark Le Brocq who brings his ethereal performance to three performances. Classical music lovers have so much to choose from. Catch Mark with son Flynn on 3 May at 10.15 am at St Peter's Church and in the afternoon at Bedford Prep School when together they present a programme of English music. Mark joins Bedford Choral Society, Ian Smith, the Grant-Jones family, Elaine Huckle, Paul Edwards, The Hit Squad and Erica and Cristian Grajner Desa at the Festival Prom on 24 May at 7.30 pm. Don't forget your Union Jacks and red, white and blue! Come and sing Rule Britannia and Jerusalem with the best of them!
Festival Eucharist at 10.15 am on 3 May with special choral guests, Mark and Flynn Le Brocq, lessons read by Patrick Hall MP and Sally Le Brocq, Lieutenant Bailiff and Jurat of the Royal States of Jersey.
Amendment to earlier programme: the sermon will be preached by Rev Mike Fudger, rector of St Peter's as Rev Mark Bond of St Aubin on the Hill is unable to travel to Bedford.
The Victoria College, Jersey cast of Our Dear Channel Islanders pictured below at their historic school with the play's (left) director, Philip Le Brocq, Chair of Victoria College Foundation and (right) playright, Peter Tabb, Jersey historian/author also of Victoria College Foundation.
Gala Day at the Erskine May Hall! Sunday 3 May at 12.30 pm
The world premiere of this specially commissioned play and moving story of young Jersey evacuees to Bedford School in WWII can be experienced as part of 4 hours of drama, music with lunch and interval tea included!
Directed by Richard Moon, Director of Bedford Pantomime Company, a host of Bedford youth and adult musicians bring a programme for all tastes. Mark and Flynn Le Brocq present a programme of English music: for a taster of what to expect, check out www.markandflynn.com. Add the official opening by Patron, Patrick Hall MP and Sally Le Brocq, Lieutenant Bailiff and Jurat for the Royal States of Jersey and a memorable and unique day has tickets at just £25/£20.
Director, Philip Le Brocq, (left) Chair of Victoria College Foundation and playright, Peter Tabb, (right) Jersey historian/author also of Victoria College Foundation.
On 20 June 1940, with France subdued, Germany’s architects of blitzkreig gave the order: “The capture of the British Channel Islands is necessary and urgent.” By Monday, 1 July, the Channel Islands were in German hands, under foreign dominion for the first time in more than a thousand years. The occupiers stayed for almost five years.
Earlier that month, forty pupils of Victoria College, many of whom were boarders, and day boys whose parents went with them, evacuated from Jersey with a group of teachers to Britain where they were welcomed by Bedford School.
On Tuesday, 8 May, 1945, at 3.00 pm, Prime Minister Winston Churchill broadcast from London that, as from the previous midnight, Germany had unconditionally surrendered, the ceasefire had taken effect all along the front and that ‘our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed today…’
The play “Dear Channel Islanders” explores the feelings of a group of Victoria College schoolboys at Bedford School on learning that their home island has been freed from German occupation.
The souvenir programme for “Dear Channel Islanders” may be downloaded free of charge in Adobe PDF format (5 MB). Click HERE
Bedford Jersey Arts festival
1 May – 5 July 2009 in Bedfordshire UK
Celebrating 70 years of friendship 1939—2009
“Victoria College, Jersey children evacuated to Bedford School during the Nazi Occupation of Jersey in WWII”
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