Programme of Friends Lectures and Events 2025
We are thrilled to present our new 2025/26 programme of talks
Tuesday 14th October 2025
James Russell on Tirzah Garwood
7.30pm Venue St Andrew's Church Hall
Generously sponsored by David Fletcher and Richard Harrison
Tuesday 4th November 2025
Hugh Belsey on Thomas Patch
7.30pm Venue St Andrew's Church Hall
Lunchtime Talk
Tuesday 11th November2025
Michael Hall on his forthcoming book 'A Queer Inheritance - Alternative Histories
This is a talk organised by the Higgins and Friends are invited
12.30pm Barbican Studio, The Higgins Bedford
Tuesday 18th November 2025
Nigel Lutt on The Duke of Manchester's Light Horse
7.30pm Venue to be announced
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 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 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 3rd February 2026
Perry Straker on Norman Hartnell
7.30pm Zoom lecture
Tuesday 17th February 2026
Mark Lewis on Graham Sutherland
7.30pm Venue to be announced
Tuesday 3rd March 2026
Professor Paul Coldwell on Woodcuts, his new book
7.30pm Venue to be announced
Tuesday 24th March 2026
Perry Straker on Women in the Civil War
7.30pm Zoom Lecture
Tuesday 7th April 2026
Sarah Flynn on The Neiger Brothers and Egyptian Revival Jewellery
7.30pm Venue to be announced
Tuesday 21st April 2026
Dr Helen Langdon on Salvator Rosa
7.30pm Venue to be announced
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.
For further information about all of the lectures visit and special events https://www.friendsofthehiggins.org/events-and-lectures
Joining the Friends of 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.
As a Friend you will enjoy:
- Regular talks and lectures
- Exclusive visits to private museums and houses (extra charges can apply
- Special access to new exhibition previews
- Discounts in The Higgins Bedford shop
- Discount on daytime purchases at The Higgins Pantry
- Opportunities to socialise with like minded people
For membership rates and a link to the joining page click here https://www.friendsofthehiggins.org/join-the-friends
Donations via JustGiving:
https://www.justgiving.com/onecheckout/donation/direct/charity/3086310
To find out more about the work of The Friends please visit the Friends of the Higgins website.