article magazines evolution began in 2001. Edited by local artist Sue Kiteley for the new Bedford Arts Forum with then Chair, Richard Milburn, broadcaster Richard Baker OBE kindly agreed to become Patron.
art’icle magazine’s evolution began in 2001. Edited by local artist Sue Kiteley for the new Bedford Arts Forum with then Chair, Richard Milburn, broadcaster Richard Baker OBE kindly agreed to become Patron.
For a short time, art’icle became a newsletter and from 2004, in early retirement, I began a new voluntary ‘career’ as editor and publisher developing my vision of a community arts magazine covering the northern half of Bedfordshire. The earliest inspiration was sharing surprise with a Bedfordshire 1947 to present day music teacher— who several years later would become the art’icle Roving Rural Music Reporter—Deirdre Knight— that local media hadn’t featured a superb joint Philharmonia and County Youth Orchestra concert at Bedford Corn Exchange around the turn of the Millennium. Organised by former Head of Bedfordshire Music Service, musician Ian Smith, the guest conductor was Andrea Quinn, a former Bedfordshire music student coached in conducting by Michael Rose OBE. From the 1960s, Michael with Deirdre on the staff turned Bedfordshire Music into a nationally acclaimed county for music education. Andrea has since enjoyed 20 years as an international conductor—see www.c7m.co.uk. This story is typical of many music students and staff of Bedfordshire Music gaining extensive training and career development from the Michael Rose ’nursery’. Indeed, another former student, now an international soprano, Rachel Nicholls, described him in an art’icle interview as ’a god’. Just before flying out to record in Japan at the end of January, Rachel decided that the other side of the interview attracted her and is joining the art’icle writing team. Watch this space! Bedfordshire Music’s Patron, Evelyn Glennie, solo percussionist and teacher also brought her exciting expertise to the Corn Exchange concert and Deirdre has encouraged me to record these times as having officially ‘given birth’ to the current art’icle magazine!
Each art’icle project aims to be pro-active, educational and inspiring promoting all arts disciplines, professional and amateur, across the expanse which is the northern half of Bedfordshire UK. All age arts training in the county is first class, widespread and accessible. County schools and colleges, Continued Learning for Adults, theUniversity of Bedfordshire at both Luton and Bedford, the Harpur Trust and independent schools and academies continue to stage an astoundingly frequent display of students’ talents. Add the many amateur arts groups’ productions to professional galleries, festivals and theatres and it is no wonder, article needs a website on which to publish reviews! The printed magazine just doesn’t have enough space!
Try writing up what you saw last night, last week! 150 words!
Send to Sandra@articlemagazinebedford.co.uk . . .

Ian Smith