Corn Exchange, Bedford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bedford Corn Exchange |
|
|---|---|
Corn Exchange (front facade)
|
|
| General information | |
| Town or city | Castle, Bedford, England |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 52°08′10″N 0°28′01″W / 52.136°N 0.467°W |
| Construction started | 1872 |
| Completed | 15 April 1874 |
| Cost | £9000 (~£11,680,000 in 2013) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Messrs Ladds & Powell of London |
The Bedford Corn Exchange is a famous building in the town of Bedford, England. You can find it in the Castle area, right on St Paul's Square. It's a place with a lot of history and fun events.
Contents
Discovering the Corn Exchange's Past
This important building was finished in 1874. It was built to be a place for concerts and meetings. It also served as a spot for local businesses. The building took two years to construct. It cost about £9,000 at the time. Before the Corn Exchange, another building called the 'Floral Hall' stood nearby.
The BBC During World War Two
During World War Two, the BBC Symphony Orchestra used the Corn Exchange. This was from September 1941 to July 1945. They held public concerts here that were broadcast across the country. The BBC moved its Music and Religious Departments to Bedford. This happened because it became too dangerous to stay in London or Bristol. Around 400 musicians, staff, and engineers moved to the town.
Famous Visitors and Proms Concerts
In 1944, the famous BBC Proms concerts came to Bedford. Their usual home in London was destroyed by bombs. So, they moved to the Corn Exchange for part of the 1944 season. Many big stars visited the Corn Exchange during the war. These included Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby, Marlene Dietrich, Vera Lynn, and Bob Hope. The building was also used as a canteen for soldiers.
A Home for Music Today
In 1995, the Philharmonia Orchestra started playing regularly at the Corn Exchange. It is still one of the main places where this orchestra performs today.
The Corn Exchange Today
The Bedford Corn Exchange is a busy place. It hosts over 800 events each year. You can see many different things here. There are concerts, shows by comedians, and performances by singers. The building also holds council meetings and other big events. In 2013, famous performers like Marcus Brigstocke, Chas & Dave, and The Drifters played there. The Philharmonia Orchestra also continues to perform.
