The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Sculpture Collection

Continues until 10th October

Outside Settlement Gallery, Free Entry

There’s just one month left to visit The Cecil Higgins Sculpture display featuring works by Auguste Renoir, Henry Moore and Jacob Epstein. These sculptures range from traditional portrait busts to abstract works, with a number being on public display for the first time in several years.

Find out more here.

Image: John Gibson (1790-1866), Ideal Head, about 1835 © Trustees of the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection (The Higgins Bedford)

Warden Abbey Revealed

Opens 19th October

Outside Settlement Gallery, Free Entry

Research by the Old Warden History and Heritage Society alongside the results of the geophysical survey by MOLA (Northampton) have revealed the grandeur of the medieval Cistercian abbey. The reconstruction illustration by Peter Dunn based on this work will be on display with a selection of archaeological artefacts recovered from excavation at Warden Abbey.

Image: Early 14^th century floor tile in the shape of a Lion’s head, Warden Abbey, courtesy of the Southill Estate

Wellbeing Activities

Join in with fun physical activities at The Higgins Bedford to meet new people and help improve wellbeing.

Pilates

Every Monday from 13th September

2:45pm – 3:30pm, £3

Join in relaxing Pilates classes surrounded by art in the galleries. Maximum 14 people. Offered on a first come, first served basis on the day.

Mindful Table Tennis

Every Monday

12:30pm – 1:30pm, £3

Social games with free play and coaching. Maximum 2 players per table.

Mindful Walks

Every Friday

11am – 12:30pm, Free

Social walking group down the river with a drinks stop afterwards. Maximum 30 people. Meet at The Higgins Bedford.

Email vicki.blair@bedford.gov.uk for more information.

Remember When?… – Reminiscence Mornings at The Higgins Bedford

Free Entry, Refreshments £1

Booking Essential

We’re re-starting our friendly reminiscence coffee mornings at The Higgins Bedford. A great way to meet new people and be inspired by memories and stories of the past.

Airship Dreams – Community Stories Explored

Thursday 16th September, 11am 

Going to Town – Part 1 Off to the Shops

Thursday 14th October, 11am

Going to Town – Part 2 The Embankment

Thursday 18th November, 11am 

More sessions available here.

To book your place, please telephone 01234 718618 and ask to speak to Lydia Saul. Limited places are available.

Image: Courtesy of the Clarke Family

Bedford Disability Awareness Week (BDAW)

21st – 25th September, Free Event

BDAW is Bedford’s first event dedicated to raising awareness of the disabled community to the wider population, whilst at the same time raising awareness of the support and organisations out there for people to access.

BDAW also aims to celebrate the talent and creativity within the community by promoting work from artists with disabilities, and running workshops. See the programme of events here.

Please visit the Bedford Disability Awareness Week website for updates, or email bdawarenessweek@gmail.com

To accompany the Blunt Blades display opening in November, we’re inviting writers of all levels to contribute a short story inspired by a blade from our Social History Collection. These short stories will be collected into an A5 publication and will also be published online.

Select one of the blades here, email lydia.saul@bedford.gov.uk to let us know which one you’ve picked, and write a short fictional story of no more than 300 words with your selected blade at its centre. Some of the blades will have some known facts, while others won’t have much information about their past, but we would like you to imagine and make up a story for them. Please note that some of the blades have already been chosen, but there are still lots more available.

The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Thursday 30th September.

To find out more information, please email lydia.saul@bedford.gov.uk

Image: Wick scissors made by B & S in Guaranteed Forged Steel © The Higgins Bedford

Win Love Bedford vouchers for building the best paper model of the iconic Goldings building on Bedford High Street. Goldings was in business on the High Street for 150 years and holds many fond memories for local residents. Now you can create your own scale model at home and discover more of its history.

The competition is open across three age categories:

• Under 13 years old – £25 Love Bedford Voucher
• 13-17 years old – £25 Love Bedford Voucher
• 18+ years old – £50 Love Bedford Voucher

The winning models will also be on display at The Higgins Bedford for a limited time.

Construction sheets are available to download here. The competition closes Thursday 30th September. 

Find out more here.