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Logger above gps below

We enjoyed being able to take a train before 9.30 setting off for the northern hinterland of Bedford

Bikes at the station

Pedestrian instructions

Bedford being a brick making town, most of the buildings were made in brick

St Francis Cabrini Italian church

So many dishes and aerials

Sweet little house

We were impressed with the house prices. Nice little properties going from £200,00.00 upwards

Many Italians came from the south of Italy to live in Bedford, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s; most of the men to work in the brick industry around Stewartby and Brogborough. This large, striking and unusual, semi-abstract group sculpture in the Futurist style represents young families from the predominantly rural south of Italy (hence the animals) symbolically striding forward to a new life abroad. It is made of reinforced concrete covered with a metallic sheen and protected with an acrylic overglaze.

Verso Domani

Its title is Verso Domani, which means Towards Tomorrow. Its situation on a busy roundabout prevents us from safely taking a close look at it. The accompanying plaque reads (in the English translation): "In Memory of the Italian immigrants who came to Bedford. For those that left their home: our respect. For those who took a risk to find something better: our thanks. For those that are no longer with us: we remember them." Its original temporary location, at the northern end of the town bridge, almost opposite the Swan Hotel and the South African War statue, from 13 September 2009, proved not to be suitable, due to vulnerability to vandalism and it was moved to its present position in August 2011. This is appropriate since the annual saints day procession from the Italian Church passes the spot, not far from where Italian immigrants first settled in Bedford, an area which became known as Little Italy.

The Sculptor

Professor Giuseppe Martignetti, who had sisters who migrated to Bedford, both created and donated this sculpture to Bedford Borough. The Italian Festival Committee of Bedford paid for its transportation from Italy and Bedford Borough Council for its installation.

Pilgrim's Progress PH

On the church

Victorian Postbox

Bedford Modern School was once in the Harpur Centre. In 1974 the school moved to new premises in Bedford.^[2] The Foundation Stone for the new building was laid by Margaret Thatcher.^[

The Meeting

Phormium tenax var.

St. Paul's Bedford

Painted roof

The staff at the church made us feel very welcome

Spring alter cloth

Phoenix

Shire Hall

Gold postbox for Etienne Stott, who won a gold medal in the Men's Double Canoe Slalom at the 2012 Olympics.

Broken rail

John Howard - prison reformer b. East London

Tiger skin

Golden bull

Luddington's Passage

Cross Keys PH

Loads of loos

Reflections of Bedford

This very large, five metre-high, abstract work in stainless welded-steel, featuring two enormous faces staring at each other, almost nose to nose, was erected on 12 December 2009. It was meant to represent the diversity of ethnic backgrounds in the town and its links with brick and lace. At night it is illuminated with coloured lights. The faces, etched with brick shapes and with a lace design, are designed to be viewed from the High Street, on entering the pedestrian precinct of Silver Street. The back of the flat concave ' faces' are plain. Commissioned by Bedford Borough Council it was, for many people, a controversial work when it first appeared, on account of its size, form, cost (£100,000) and alleged lack of public consultation. The aim was to provide an exciting new focus for shoppers and visitors to the town.

Sculpter Rick Kirby (born 1952) trained at Somerset College of Art and Newport Art College

Monochrome version

Solarised versions

Attractive precinct

Table and chairs

Duck in the window

George and the Dragon

Hamamelis mollis - wych hazel

We would have liked to visit the John Bunyan Museum, but it was shut

I want one...

Butchers

The Polish Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus & St Cuthbert is a Roman Catholic Church serving the Polish community in Bedford, England. It is a Grade II listed building.

There have been religious buildings on the site since the eighth century, but the current church building was originally constructed as an Anglican church in 1846-7 in a neo-Norman style, and was known simply as St Cuthbert. The architect for the north and south aisles, which were added in 1865, was Francis Penrose.^[2] The north transept porch was constructed in 1907. Declared redundant by the Church of England in 1974, the church was subsequently purchased by the Harpur Trust who presented it to the Polish population of Bedford, whereupon its name was changed.

The Higgins Museum and Art Gallery in the old brewery

Model of the Castle - very little is left apart from mounds

Eranthus haemalis - aconite

We visited the museum which was very beautifully laid out and full of interest

Horse drawn Fire Engine

Adams Mail Phaeton Car

Presentation about dinosaurs on television screens at the entrance.

Glass jug late 1st-2nd Centaury. Ickwell Bury Northill Beds.

A bucket handle

British Bronze mirror mid 1st Centaury BC - mid 1st centaury AD. Old Warden

Lace Manufacturer's tokens made to promote trade

Britannia Iron and Steel Works Gate House, Bedford built by Geoff Bennett

Traction engine

Congo Bronze

A duck-billed platypus

Detail from a glass

Pâte-sur-pâte brought to Minton from Sevres

William de Morgan

Moorcroft pots

William Burgess

Dogs of Fo

Monkey

Tulip vase 1874

Spectralia by Frank Stella 1994

The Willington Dovecote by John Piper 1978

Longcase clock by Thomas Tompion

We had lunch at the George and Dragon

George and Dragon PH

The Ship PH

Novakil Accountants' Office

On this site in 1897 nothing happened

Just a few of things that happened in 1897, there are more... from Wikipedia

Benin is put to the torch by the British Army's Benin Expedition. The Benin Bronzes are carried back to London.

Aston Villa F.C. win the FA Cup with a 3–2 win over Everton in the final at Crystal Palace. Having already sealed the Football League title, they have completed the double.^[4]

J. J. Thomson first announces his discovery of the electron.

The Blue Cross animal welfare charity is founded as Our Dumb Friends League in London, a "society for the encouragement of kindness to animals".^[6]

13 May – Guglielmo Marconi sends the first ever wireless communication over open sea when the message "Are you ready" is transmitted across the Bristol Channel from Lavernock Point in South Wales to Flat Holm Island, a distance of 3.7 miles (6.0 km).^[7]

The Anglo-Irish writer Oscar Wilde is released from prison and goes into exile on the Continent.

The Blackwall Tunnel, at this time the longest underwater road tunnel in the world, is opened for traffic beneath the River Thames in the East End of London by the Prince of Wales.^[8]

22 June – Queen Victoria celebrates her accession to the throne in 1837 with Diamond Jubilee celebrations, centred on London.

Sir Benjamin Stone establishes the National Photographic Record Association.^[10]

The Tate Gallery opens in London.^[2]

The Automobile Club of Great Britain (later known as the Royal Automobile Club) founded in London.^[8]

First horseless, electric, taxicabs begin operating in London.^[8]

Physician Ronald Ross discovers malarial parasites.^[8]

First conviction for drink-driving given, to London taxi driver George Smith.^[8]

Battle of Saragarhi: 21 Sikhs from the 36th Sikhs regiment of the British Indian Army battle 10,000 Afghans to the death.^[8]

Bridge

8 from Bedford School

Town bridge and church

Swans

One for Peter

Multicoloured lights

We arrived at the station and caught a train almost immediately