LGBT+ History Month Celebrations

Join The Higgins Bedford as we celebrate LGBT+ History Month 2023 this February!

This year’s theme is ‘Behind the Lens’ and celebrates the contribution of LGBT+ people who work behind the lens in cinema and film, as directors, costume designers, musicians and beyond.

Come and explore a display of artwork from local LGBT+ people and their response to the theme ‘Behind the Lens’ in The Higgins Bedford foyer from Tuesday 7 February 2023. Follow the LGBT+ History Month trail for our ‘Changing Times’ exhibition from Tuesday 7 February to enjoy and discover LGBT+ artists.

On Saturday 25 February, join us at our LGBT+ History Month ‘Behind the Lens’ celebration day with a photography workshop, giving you the opportunity to get behind the lens yourself. You can also take part in a spoken word poetry workshop and enjoy a performance by local LGBT+ spoken word artist Saskia Lawrence. Everyone is welcome to join in!

Find out more information and book your place at the workshops on The Higgins Bedford website.

February Half Term Activities at The Higgins Bedford

Join us and local providers for fun, creative activities this February Half Term, inspired by the amazing sculptures on display in our ‘Changing Times’ modern art exhibition.

We still have limited places available for the following workshops:

Tuesday 14 Feb – Green Man Clay Faces: Join The Wildlife Trust and create Green Man faces using clay and natural materials.

Thursday 16 Feb – Jointed Puppets: Join local artist Kaye Mahoney and discover the magic of puppetry and theatre – create your own puppet and play with it in a DIY shadow theatre box.

Friday 17 Feb – Art Cube: Join local artist Greta Dalum-Tilds and explore observational drawing and the art in ‘Changing Times’.

All workshops last about an hour and start at 11.15am, 12.45pm and 2.15pm each day. All activities are £5 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult (adults do not need to book a place).

Find out more information and book your place on The Higgins Bedford website.

Retired Caribbean Nurses’ Association ‘Sharing History’ Project

The Retired Caribbean Nurses’ Association (RCNA) Bedford are holding their fourth event on Wednesday 8 March 2023 at The Addison Centre in Kempston.

The RCNA (Bedford) aims to bring together nurses of Caribbean decent who worked in the NHS in Bedfordshire during the Windrush era, to recognise their contributions and lessen social isolation in communities.

The RCNA (Bedford) launched the Sharing History Project in 2021, and works in collaboration with The Higgins Bedford and other partners to facilitate interviews and record the stories of retired Caribbean Nurses. These stories will then be shared with The Higgins Bedford, for communities and schools in Bedford Borough to hear.

As part of the Sharing History Project, The RCNA (Bedford) will be sharing the event on 8 March with women from Bedford’s Bangladeshi community.

Join the event to celebrate ‘Women Who Tell Our Stories’.

Tours at The Higgins Bedford

‘Changing Times’ Exhibition Tour

Discover the highlights of our biggest ever exhibition, ‘Changing Times’ on a tour with The Higgins’ Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art, Victoria Partridge.

The brilliant exhibition, in collaboration with The Ingram Collection, features almost 100 sculptures, paintings and works by some of Britain’s most renowned artists.

Wednesday 8 February, 12.30-1pm. Tickets £3.25, Concessions £2.75.

Find out more information and book your place on The Higgins Bedford website.

Friends of The Higgins Lectures

‘Nelson, The making of a Hero’ with Peter Gutteridge

St Andrews Church Hall, Kimbolton Road, Bedford – 7.30pm.

‘Edward Bawden’ with Victoria Partridge

The Barbican Studio, The Higgins Bedford – 12pm.

Find out more information and book your place on The Friends of The Higgins Bedford website.