The John Bunyan Trail (16) Clapham & Bedford

The latest leg of the Bunyan trail is starting from the village of Clapham. Probably most famous for the location of RAF Twinwood Park as any fans of Band Leader Glenn Miller would know. It was from here on 15th December 1944 that he took the fateful flight to France and was never seen again. Officially he is still listed as 'Missing in action' to this day.The site now hosts the Glenn Miller/Twinwood museum, with an annual Twinwood Festival. We are walking along some lovely leafy private lanes towards Clapham Park.Not quite sure what to expect today as there will be a lot of urban walking as we venture into Bedford Town Centre. In the Meantime we follow the 'Bunyan path' past the cemetery on our left and cut through Bedford Park. A Grade Two listed English Heritage Victorian park in the north of Bedford. Created in 1888 it is the largest urban park in Bedford 

 

Foster Hill Road Cemetery

A little further on is Bedford School.

Bedford School was founded in 1552, one of the oldest boys' schools in the United Kingdom.The school has produced Cricketer 'Alastair Cook' who went on to captain the England Cricket Team. Bedford Park is a Grade Two listed English Heritage Victorian park in the north of Bedford. Created in 1888 it is the largest urban park in Bedford. There are some beautiful trees within the grounds of Bedford Park, many of which formed part of the original layout of the park from 1888. It looks a very affluent area with the large houses and wide avenues. We arrive in Bedford town centre and the North Bedfordshire Heritage Trail.

Presented by the Duke of Bedford, the statue of John Bunyan by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm was unveiled on 10th June 1874 before a crowd of 10,000. Boehm was a favourite Sculptor of Queen Victoria. His statue of John Brown is hidden away in the woods at Balmoral. Bunyan is depicted holding a Bible. The scenes around the base are from the 'Pilgrims Progress'. John Bunyan died in 1688 in London. He is buried there in Bunhill Fields, City Road.  

On St Peter's Green, not only do we have the 'Bunyan' statue we also have the old Lamp post in Bedford. Sounds a bit like something Alan Partridge might say I know. The one pictured left was originally gas lit and dates back to the 1860's. This would have been been when street lighting was first introduced to Bedford.  

Bedford bills itself as a town of Markets. a thriving market town since 1166, when King Henry II granted Bedfordians their original Charter to hold markets. St Paul’s Square has been a focal point of markets for the community in Bedford since the 1500s. There is also an attractive water fountain erected in 1883.(The Turnley Drinking Fountain). Set in the outer railings of St Pauls it would have served Bedford residents and their livestock. 

We arrive at the River Great Ouse which flows through the centre of Bedford. Often described as the Jewel in the  Crown. It is only spoiled by some horrible architecture, not least the Council HQ designed in the 1960's.Ugly buildings aside it is a lovely walk in the sunshine by the water. 

With the football World Cup just over a month away there is clearly some optimism for success in Bedford!

The majority of the walk thereafter is very much an urban affair with little to report really. As we make our way back we pass the Ford that gave us so many problems on a previous walk. It looks more sedate today for some reason. A Swan is on her nest looking after eggs. All very different to the last visit. We continue on our way towards Clapham Green. It has been afar more interesting walk than I anticipated. A total of 8 miles covered.

Mr Punch - International Leicester 2026

 

Here I am once more.....not in the playground of the broken hearts, but definitely at the International in Leicester. My third time seeing the excellent Mr Punch who are playing three UK dates. This one sandwiched between The Underworld in London and the 1865 Southampton. Pay tribute to Fish Era of Marillion, complete with make up and theatrics in classic Fish style. A combination of Italian musicians from various Prog/Rock bands. It has already been a good start to the night. The NCP is now shut down and there are no barriers up. The result being free parking! Never a bad thing. We arrive just in time as the doors are about to open.   

Marco Vincini - vocals

Licia Missori - keyboards/piano

Marcella Arganese - guitar

Luca Cristofaro - bass and backing vocals

Marco Fabbri – drums

 

The venue soon starts to fill, we take up residence near to a post, left of stage.  With my very dodgy knee I will need something to lean against  no doubt. The band take to the stage around 8:30 with the intro to 'Clutching at Straws' album 'Slainte Mhath' . This is followed by a rousing version of 'Assassing'. In fact several of my all time favourites get an early airing, 'Cinderella Search' and  'Incubus' included. Marco gets into character for the epic 'Forgotten Sons'. 

After a short interval Marco has swapped his military jacket for the 'Incommunicado Suit'. The set continues with the CAS theme with 'Hotel Hobbies', 'Warm Wet Circles' and 'That Time of the Night'. At the back of the stage Keyboardist Licia Missori is having a party all of her own. We get our first taste of 'Misplaced Childhood' with 'Kayleigh', 'Lavender' and 'Heart of Lothian. I'm starting to struggle with the knee injury but there is plenty more to come. The classic 'Fugazi ends the second set.

 After the shortest of breaks the band return with the only 'Hogarth' era song 'Easter'. It's fine , but the 'Fish' era material is spectacular. The night ends in traditional style with 'Incommunicado' and 'Market Square Heroes'. No room for a 'Garden Party' tonight, but you can't have everything I guess! 

There is still time for more fun and games though! Promoter Danny Mayo (Doktor Dyper) takes to the stage  for a spot of 'jammin' . 'The Led Zep 'Rock and Roll' is still ringing out as we head off to the car park. We are into 'Springsteen territory' now as the clock heads towards the witching hour. My knee is totally shot to pieces with all the standing. I'm not looking forward to the drive home much either. It's all worth it though of course. It has been a great night once again. Mr Punch are scheduled to be back in Leicester next year at the Marillion Convention. 

Set 1:

Slainte mhath 

Assassing 

Cinderella 

Incubus 

White Russian 

The web 

Sugar mice 

Forgotten Sons

Set 2:

Hotel Hobbies / Warm Wet Circles / That Time of the Night

Script for a Jester's Tear 

He knows You Know

Jigsaw

Freaks

Kayleigh/Lavender/Heart of Lothian 

Last straw

Fugazi 

Encores:

Easter

Incommunicado

Market Square Heroes

   

The John Bunyan Trail (15) Streatley & Sharpenhoe Clappers (For George)

After a bit of a break we are back on the Bunyan Trail. Starting point this time is the village of  Streatley', 5 miles from Luton Town Centre. The Icknield Way passes through the village as part of the 110 miles between Ivinghoe Beacon and Knettishall Heath in Suffolk. The lack of walking has been largely due to the knee injury of course.I shall be carrying something of a First Aid kit today hopefully covering all eventualities. There are various bandages and supports, painkillers and muscular gels. After a steady start we will encounter some steep elevation with the Sharpenoe Clappers. We immediately pick up the Chiltern Way, passing the Swedish Cottages on our right hand side. We aren't on it for very long as we turn left towards Barton Hill. The weather is good n the early cold and rain has given way to intermittent sunshine. It is lovely open countryside too.The next landmark on the map is showing as 'Jeremiah's Tree'. 

Sadly, try as we might, there isn't a sighting of the tree though. A Jeremiah Tree is a biblical metaphor from Jeremiah 17:7-8, describing a person who trusts in the Lord as a tree planted by water. Thriving green and fruitful even in a drought. Legend has it that this is an old hanging tree site. Next to the stump a small Oak tree has been planted as a replacement for the original Jeremiah’s Tree. This was planted in March 1998 by the Barton Conservation Group.Hope you have better luck than we did in finding it. Beware though, an evil atmosphere is said to lurk around it....

Sharpenhoe Clappers

We make our way through Barton Le Clay passing the football ground.Lots of Red Ribbons adorn the village in tribute to local boy 'Gorgeous George'. Sadly George died of a Brain Tumour in April 2022. By all accounts he was a real fun loving thirteen year old with a real zest for life. My thoughts go out to him and his family and what they have been through. This walk is now dedicated to George.

We continue on the footpath past Brook End Green Farm towards Sharpenhoe. There is a sense of trepidation as the 'Clappers' come into view. Will my knee stand up to the vigorous sharp climb? We are about to find out. The classic chalk escarpment is part of the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty. There are traces of an Iron Age Hill Fort and a Beech Woodland. Oh, it is also said to be haunted too. The 'Clappers' part is said to come from from medieval Latin 'claperius' or the French 'clapier' meaning a heap of stones or rabbit hole. It is now owned and managed by the National Trust. There are numerous steps (250 I think) marked out that help to get some sort of purchase on the climb. My lack of walking this year is very evident as I huff and puff my way to the top. Thankfully someone has hung a swing device from the branches of a tree. It might not look it but it was actually quite comfortable. 

From the top the views are great , looking over open countryside towards Bedfordshire  (North) and Hertfordshire (East). In total the hill rises 90 metres above the plain. 

These hills may well have been the inspiration for Bunyan's 'Delectable Mountains' in a 'Pilgrims Progress'. There are some great names too; 'Smithcombe Hill', 'Watergutter Hole' and 'Cow Hole'. We make our way back towards Streatley on the Icknield Way'. 

We walk through the Churchyard of St Margaret's back towards our starting point. The village pond is known to have existed for at least 150 years. Possibly even several hundred years. It was largely used by Horsemen and Farmers to water their animals. Following years of leakage and low water levels the pond was restored in 2005. It has an important role in the local landscape and essential for the local wildlife. It is also a breeding area for Frogs and Toads and shelter for other pond invertebrates. 

It has been a smashing walk and very pleasing to be back out again. In total a fraction under 8 miles covered.