The Bedford Clanger’s weekly leisure guide sets out a compact programme of events across the borough for the coming 11 days, offering something for families, music fans and bargain hunters alike. The Clanger’s What’s On Guide is published every Wednesday and is sponsored this week by Bedford Esquires.
Highlights and practical information
Among the events listed are family-friendly daytime activities at the John Bunyan Museum and Library, a high-profile music festival in the Bedfordshire countryside, a tribute show at a central live-music venue and the return of a long-standing community jumble trail.
- Crafty Thursdays — John Bunyan Museum & Library, Mill Street, MK40 3EU, Thursday 27 August, 11am–3pm. Drop-in family craft activities; tickets £2 per child.
- Twinwood Festival — Twinwood Arena, Clapham, MK41 6AB, Friday 28–Monday 31 August. The four-day vintage music festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Tickets listed at £164, £75 and £43.
- The Smyths: The Queen is Dead — Bedford Esquires, Friday 28 August, 7.30pm. A 40th‑anniversary show marking the release of The Smiths' album; tickets £5–£20.
- Black Tom Jumble Trail — streets of Black Tom/Prime Ministers, Saturday 29 August. Free to attend; a traditional community jumble trail with stalls selling clothes, toys, bric‑a‑brac and art.
The Twinwood Festival in Clapham is singled out as one of the bigger draws. What began as a Glenn Miller tribute has evolved into a weekend that attracts thousands of vintage-music and dance enthusiasts, with period dress and historical detail forming a large part of the appeal. The Clanger notes the festival’s continuing importance to the local cultural calendar as it marks its quarter-century milestone.
"The Clanger’s What’s On Guide lands every Wednesday and is the only guide you need to find out what’s on and what’s happening across the Borough for the next 11 days."
What this means locally
For residents, the mix of events offers a range of local spending and leisure opportunities at the tail end of the school summer holidays. The low‑cost drop‑in crafts aim to provide affordable family options, while the larger ticketed Twinwood Festival draws visitors from a wider area and is likely to have an impact on local traffic and hospitality demand during the bank-holiday weekend.
The return of the Black Tom Jumble Trail underscores the neighbourhood’s grassroots community activity; these street‑based events are often used by local traders, charities and household sellers to raise funds or clear items before the autumn. Meanwhile, Bedford Esquires continues to host headline gigs that serve both local and regional audiences.
| Event | Date | Venue | Ticket info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crafty Thursdays | 27 Aug | John Bunyan Museum & Library | £2 per child (drop-in) |
| Twinwood Festival (25th anniversary) | 28–31 Aug | Twinwood Arena, Clapham | £164 / £75 / £43 |
| The Smyths – The Queen is Dead | 28 Aug | Bedford Esquires | £5–£20 |
| Black Tom Jumble Trail | 29 Aug | Streets of Black Tom/Prime Ministers | Free |
Readers planning to attend are advised to check individual event pages for up‑to‑date ticket availability and any last‑minute changes. The guide is intended to be a starting point for discovering what is happening around the borough rather than an exhaustive listings service.
In coming weeks, the What’s On guide will continue to feature a mixture of cultural, family and community activity, reflecting the varied leisure landscape across Bedford borough as the summer season draws to a close.
