2025 / 2026 Lecture Programme
Talks are free with Friends’ membership and members are encouraged to bring guests.
For guests we currently operate an honesty policy and ask for a donation of £10 cash at the door or £8.00 min via our JustGiving web page.
Tuesday 9th September 2025
Next Lecture
This lecture will delve into the historic relationship between man and his best friend. Across the ages from antiquity to the present day, and through a myriad of mediums such as floor mosaics to photography, we will learn more about how artists across the centuries chose to depict their four-legged sitters, be they loyal companions, status symbols, guardians or conveying hidden meanings for us to decipher.
Generously sponsored by Acorn House Veterinary Hospital
Harrison Goldman on Dogs in Art
7.30pm Venue St Andrew's Church Hall
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
Cities of Culture to visit The Art of Venice
7.30pm Venue to be announced
Generously Sponsored by Eagle Travel
Tuesday 20th January 2026
​Bernard O'Connor on Jasper Maskelyne, the illusionist who hid Tempsford Airfield
7.30pm Zoom lecture
Generously Sponsored by W&H Peacock Auctioneers
Tuesday 17th February 2026
Mark Lewis on Graham Sutherland
7.30pm Venue to be announced
Tuesday 24th March 2026
Perry Staker on Women in the Civil War
7.30pm Zoom Lecture
Generously sponsored by Marion Maule.
Tuesday 21st April 2026
Dr Helen Langdon on Salvator Rosa
7.30pm Venue to be announced
Tuesday 16th December 2025
Natalie Doig, from the award winning podcast 'Weird in the Wade', on The Milton Ernest Witches - Mary and Mother Sutton
7.30pm Venue to be announced
Tuesday 3rd February 2026
Perry Staker on Norman Hartnell
7.30pm Zoom lecture
Generously sponsored by Marion Maule
Tuesday 3rd March 2026
Professor Paul Coldwell on Woodcuts, his new book
7.30pm Venue to be announced
Tuesday 7th April 2026
​Sarah Flynn on The Neiger Brothers and Egyptian Revival Jewellery
7.30pm Venue to be announced
Events at The Higgins Bedford
The Friends organisation plays an important part in the life of the art gallery and museum, and individual members enjoy an excellent range of benefits; joining the Friends will put you at the heart of The Higgins Bedford.
Tuesday 11th November 2025
Lunchtime Talk
Michael Hall on his forthcoming book 'A Queer Inheritance - Alternative Histories
This is a talk organised by The Higgins Bedford and Friends are invited. Book your free ticket here.
12.30pm Barbican Studio, The Higgins Bedford
