History Features

We all know how important radio is in times of crisis.

During the Second World War there were hundreds of iconic broadcasts on the BBC.

Who cannot be moved by some of Churchill's speeches, the King's declaration of war or some of the reports from correspondents in the field of battle? 

Locally we had Charles Hill the radio doctor who went on to become Lord Hill of Luton.

The New Gallery at Bedford Museum

Secrets

One of the best kept secrets was the identity of a place just known as 'Somewhere in England'.

From 1941 concerts and the Daily Service were broadcast from 'Somewhere in England'.   That 'somewhere' was Bedford.

Initially the BBC's music department relocated to Bristol to avoid the ravages of the Blitz.  But Bristol soon too became in range of Luftwaffe bombers and a safer location was sought. There is a story of a train from Bristol to Bedford packed with musicians and singers.

Requisitioned

Bedford became home to the BBC's orchestras and choirs as well as the music library.

The Bunyan Meeting Place

Several buildings were occupied by the BBC and today town guide Trevor Stewart will take visitors on a three hour tour. 

Several large town centre houses were requisitioned for administrative use but four major buildings took on a new significance.    All four had their own history, before another chapter was added by the Corporation.

Tour

My mini tour with Trevor started at a building with a new use. The new Gallery at Bedford Museum is designed to showcase the treasures of the Museum and the Cecil Higgins Gallery.

St Paul's Church, Bedford

The first exhibition gives a taster of both collections including a couple of Turner and Constable watercolours. The building has been used as museum store, a billiard hall and a religious and political meeting place. During the war it was home to the BBC choirs.

Live broadcasts were routed through a control room which was housed in the Bunyan Meeting House and which is still used for worship today.

Perhaps the two best known buildings are right in the centre of town.

St Paul's Church was used for the Daily Service - which is still broadcast today.  Later this year a commemorative service will formally mark the BBC's place in the history of this magnificent church.

Bust of Major Glen Miller

Glen Miller

Another commemorative piece of art adorns the Corn Exchange opposite.

A bronze bust of Major Glen Miller marks the seven months in 1944 that his orchestra were in Bedford boosting morale as the allied troops liberated Europe from the Nazis.

Miller died in December 1944 after he took off for Paris from Twinwoods airfield just north of the town  in atrocious weather conditions.

The memory of Miller's connection with the Corn Exchange rather overshadows another BBC use of the magnificent building.

Bedford Corn Exchange

The country's leading orchestras and conductors were based there and for four years the people of Bedford could also rub shoulders with the likes Of Sir Henry Wood and Barbaroli as they continued to rehearse, play and broadcast from 'Somewhere in England'.

Listen as Ian Pearce takes the tour: