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 24th February 2026
Next Lecture
Mark Lewis on Graham Sutherland
In this lecture we will learn more about the leading 20th century British artist Graham Sutherland. Best known for his Neo-Romantic landscapes, Sutherland began his career as a printmaker but became famous for painting and notably for his war-time scenes produced in his capacity as an Official War Artist. Sutherland also became renowned for his religious commissions like the spectacular Coventry Cathedral tapestry, and his and often controversial but intense portraits of figures like that of Churchill.
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Mark Lewis is an artist and designer specialising in silversmithing and jewellery. He was Principal Lecturer in the Sir John Cass Department of Art, Media and Design at London Metropolitan University. He currently lectures part-time at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in London and is a visiting lecturer at Birmingham City University.
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***Special offer for guests and visitors. Free entry to the talk and £10 discount if you take out Friends’ membership running from now to September 2026***
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7.30pm at St Andrew's Church Hall, Kimbolton Road.
Friday 27th February 2026
Joe Pearson on Noel Carrington
Essential to get your free ticket from The Higgins Bedford.
2pm-3pm Bunyan Meeting Church
Sponsored by The Higgins Bedford
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 at St Andrew's Church Hall, Kimbolton Road
Tuesday 3rd March 2026
Professor Paul Coldwell on Woodcuts, his new book
7.30pm at St Andrew's Church Hall, Kimbolton Road
Tuesday 7th April 2026
Sarah Flynn on The Neiger Brothers and Egyptian Revival Jewellery
7.30pm at St Andrew's Church Hall, Kimbolton Road
Generously sponsored by Barovic Jewellers
Tuesday 28th April 2026
Jane Ewart on An American Aristocrat and His Remarkable Collection of English Silver:
Lord Fairhaven’s silver at Anglesey Abbey
7.30pm at Venue to be confirmed
Coming this Autumn:
Tony Ploszajski on The Birds of Bedfordshire. Martin Snaith on The 1931 Schneider Trophy Race. Tim Knox on Royal Patronage. David Longman on Tales from Bedfordshire Churches: The Admiral, the Rector and Long John Silver. Damien Odell on Haunted Bedfordshire.
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.
27th February 2026
Lunchtime Lecture
Joe Pearson on Noel Carrington.
Join exhibition curator Joe Pearson to learn more about the amazing career of Noel Carrington and the artists he championed.
Joe is an established collector and writer on mid-century lithography. In 2015 he founded Design for Today, a press and publisher, with the aim of working with designers and illustrators to create limited edition books and cards.
2-3-pm
Tickets FREE! Book your ticket here.
17th April 2026
Edward Bawden Archive Session
Hidden in secret drawers inside The Edward Bawden Gallery are hundreds of prints, drawings and ephemera. Join the Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art for a delve through some of them.
The session is a perfect opportunity to see well known works as well as pieces that have never been on display before with an informative guide.
2-3.30pm
Tickets £14.60, concessions £11.60 Book your ticket here.
