FESTIVAL 2009

 THE SECRET GARDEN
  Music by Lucy Simon ~ book and lyrics by Marsha Norman
  Directed and choreographed by Melanie Cole

An enchanting musical retelling of the children’s novel by Frances Hodgeson Burnett www.sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.uk  

TICKETS Sharnbrook Post Office (cash/cheque, in person only)
Bedford Central Box Office 01234 269519 (Credit/Debit Cards accepted) please mention if physically challenged when booking: special facilities are available. Disabled access is now available, including lift, WC and limited theatre seating.  Please enquire at the Central Box Office only for disabled seat availability. 

THEATRE HISTORY    Established in 1943 to entertain troops stationed in the locality, the theatre has gone from strength to strength. Outgrowing the Village Hall to move to the Ritz Theatre in Rushden and eventually acquiring the current location at Stoke Mills, Sharnbrook, the last 25 years have seen a conversion from a flour mill to a 200 seat theatre which recently featured in an Anglia TV programme on unique and interesting buildings.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CORN  EXCHANGE ‘CAMPUS’   Originally built in 1849, in 1850 opened as the Floral Hall and 10 years later, The Old Town Hall and Civic Theatre built.  A new Corn Exchange opened in 1874 with the Bedford Amateur Musical Society—later the Bedford Choral Society performing 2 opening concerts, having installed an organ in 1900.  A refurbishment costing £346.5s.0d was followed in 1937 with the Harpur Suite opening as the town’s public library, later becoming a venue.  A Festival talk on 4 May will refer to the evacuation of the BBC Symphony Orchestra to Bedford School and Corn Exchange from 1941—45 from where concerts and broadcasts were made. A first Glenn Miller concert in 1944 made history. The Town Hall became the Civic Theatre in 1952.  A full professional and amateur events programme has existed ever since. The rest is history!

The Festival is indebted to The Corn Exchange Central Booking Office for providing ticket sales support.

ALBION ARCHAEOLOGY CENTRE EXHIBITION

St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Street
BEDFORD MK42 0AS
An exhibition of archaeological work carried out by Albion Archaeology in the historic county of Bedfordshire featuring the Elstow Bomb Factory
10 am - noon and 2 pm - 4 pm Monday to Friday
Tel: 01234 294000 ~ Fax: 01234 294008
Email:  office@albion-arch.com
  www.albion-arch.com