THE PIGEONS HAVE LANDED!
Hometown Birds Art Trail
Bedford, April 19 – June 14 2025
70 decorated pigeons will be displayed in windows from Bedford Bus Station, around Pigeon Square and along Church Arcade from Saturday April 19 - June 14 2025 as part of the Permission2’s Hometown Birds Art Trail.
Can you spot them all?
When people arrive in Bedford Bus Station one of the first areas they see is Church Square, fondly known as Pigeon Square where members of the public congregate and feed the pigeons. Our thinking was about migration and how these birds are vilified when, in fact they are very intelligent creatures with a unique navigational system and helped save our lives during both world wars.
Through a series of free public workshops we worked with members of the public in gathering their stories of migration and the decision making behind why they settled in Bedford. We documented these stories whilst they decorated an image of a pigeon and we encouraged everyone to attach a message they wanted to send out into the world.
You can read and listen to those stories below.
1. Trevor Phillips by Harvey
Harvey told us that he was born in Bedford and that his paternal grandparents are Scottish.
2. Tom by Lucas
Lucas was born in Bedford and has family in Scotland.
3. Pigeon Pogen by Isabelle
Isabelle’s grandparents are both English as are her parents who moved to Bedford for work. Her message to the world is “To tell all the pigeons that I love pigeons”.
4. Winne by Mandy
Mandy’s maternal grandparents Jessie and Frank Allen came from London to Stewartby. Her grandfather worked at the London Brick Company. Her mother was born in Stewartby and was one of nine children. Her paternal grandparents were from Bedford. Her maternal grandmother had Scottish ancestry. Mandy was born in Maulden, Bedfordshire at her auntie’s house. Her message is “Be kind and funky”.
5. Polish Peter by Athena
Athena’s mother is English, her father is Polish, and she was born in Bedford. Her message to the world is “Zaspiewaj stodka piosenke” which means sing a sweet song.
6. Pearly Queeny by Ali
Ali’s father’s background goes back to Canada many generations ago. Some relatives moved to the USA where they remain. Her message to the world is “Love, peace and happyness”.
7. Ocean Pigeon and Misty by Bee
Bee has an Italian great grandmother who came to England for love, and to Bedford for work. She states that pigeons are her favourite animals. Her message to the world is “Pigeons Protect Us All!”
8. Euro Pigeon by Diana
Diana’s mother came to England from Italy when she married her father. Her paternal grandmother came to England from Austria when she married her half-German grandfather. Diana also has two Scottish grandchildren.
9. Bedford by Barry
Barry tells us that “No matter where you travel to, Bedford will always bring you home”.
10. Astrid by Elvira Margareta
Elvira loved using Hungary’s flag colours when decorating her pigeon.
11. Happy by Izabella
Izabella comes from Transylvania in Romania and embarked on a life changing adventure when she moved to Bedford ten years ago. Back home achieving her dreams seemed impossible but here, in Bedford, everything fell into place for her. Izabella tells us, “Alongside my partner, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening our Hungarian café in Bedford. It’s a cosy haven where our community gathers to feel at home for a few hours and to celebrate our culture and heritage.”
12. Hattie by Vicky
Vicky was born in Bedford and went to school there. She lived in Norwich, Manchester, Birmingham and Kent for twenty years before coming back to Bedford and having her daughter. Her parents met in Bedford when they were at school. Her maternal grandmother and her family were from Luton and worked in the hat factories there. Vicky’s paternal grandparents are from Lavendon and Olney and have relatives in Ireland. Both sets of grandparents moved to Bedford and lived next door to each other for many years. Vicky’s message is “I will fly around the world bringing happiness and colour to people who are feeling grey and sad. I will always fly home to Bedford where I belong.”
13. Crash! by Eve
Eve was born in Bedford. Her mum was also born in Bedford. Her maternal grandparents met in Bedford and great grandparents are from Luton, Olney and Lavendon. Her Dad was born in Forres, Inverness, he lived in Scotland, Wales, Germany, and Holland as his dad was in the RAF. Most of his family were from, and still live in Derbyshire, Crick, and Matlock. Eve’s message is “Stop hurting animals”. Eve tells us that she likes to come into Bedford town to see the pigeons.
14. Daisy by Roxanne
Three-year-old Roxanne was thrilled at making her pigeon and said it was the best that she could do.
15. Dotty by Amy
Amy was born in Cardiff from an Irish mother and English father. She grew up in England, mostly London and moved to Bedfordshire four years ago.
16. Dylan by Derek
Derek was born in Ireland and moved to West London as a child. He moved to Bedfordshire for work and a better environment and lifestyle for his family.
17. Morris by Helen
Helen’s family come from Poland, Wales, Ireland and America. They were economic refugees in the depression from the coalfields of Wales and from Ireland. Some of the family moved to the USA and Europe from Poland after the war. Helen came back to Bedford after travelling. She has lived in Morocco, in the mountains and on the beach. On her return she lived in Kent. She then moved to Wales where her father is from and lived in the mountains. It was hard work there. She moved back to Bedford “as it was the best thing to do”.
18. Ruby by Mary
Mary’s mother was born in Genoa and her father is born of Welsh parents in Canterbury. Her grandfather was the last prisoner to be hung in chains in Britain. Mary’s message is “Be true to you”.
19. Stan by Julie
Her parents are from Lancashire and Yorkshire. They met and fell in love in Bedford.
20. Pegles by Julie
Julie came to Bedford aged three years old from Birkenhead and North Wales. Her mother is of Irish/English descent and her father is from a long line of Welsh gamekeepers.
21. Memory by Jannaton
Jannaton has been in Bedford for ten years. Her husband is from Bangladesh and brought her over to England. She has lots of sweet memories with pigeons from when she was younger. Her message is “Recollecting childhood memory”.
22. May by Zoe
Zoe’s mother was from France and came to Bedford when her father fought in the war. Zoe’s dad is from Bedford. “Be kind to each other. Bedford is a lovely place to live”
23. Peace Pigeon by Emmanuella
Emmanuella used colours from the Nigerian flag. White represents peace and purity. Green represents agriculture. She is in Bedford to pursue her career as a dental nurse.
24. Nature by Pradeepa
Pradeepa is from India. Her husband came over to England from India for work. Her message is “I invite everyone to join together and act against climate change and global warming”.
25. Pano by Fatima
Fatima is from Bangladesh and has been here for fourteen years. Her husband is British/Bangladeshi, and they have three children. Her message to the world is “Be kind to everybody, to respect and also help each other”.
26. Libby by Henry
Henry’s message is “Be kind and generous to one and other and help others to be free”.
27. Kieron by Dev and Erykhu
Dev’s family came from Punjab, India and moved to Birmingham. He told us that when he was fourteen years old, the family moved to Bedford as his father had a job at the brickworks in Stewartby. Dev’s message is “Be happy”.
28. Mr Wren by Euan
Euan was born in Bedford and one grandmother was from Bournemouth and the other grandmother was from Pembrokeshire. They moved for better commuter links. His message is “To Nanny, I love you Nanny love from Euan”.
29. Sinead by Kathryn
Kathryn’s family are from Cork, Ireland and came over to England in the 1940’s. Kathryn was born and raised in England. Her message is “Be kind, that’s it”.
30. Jeremy by James
James’s mother is Scottish, and his message is “Go fish”.
31. Hunk by Steve
Steve was born and raised in Bedford. He went to the USA and came back to Bedford in 1973. He told us “You’ve saved somebody’s soul this way”.
32. Robert by Yvonne
Yvonne’s maternal parents are from Ashwell and paternal side from Newport Pagnell. Yvonne was born in Great Wymondley. She married a market trader from Hitchin and lived in Wilstead. Her message is “Everybody have a happy day”.
33. Arthur by Adrian
Adrian’s maternal family are from Snell, Northamptonshire and paternal side from Kilkenny, Ireland.
34. Bob by Marcus
Marcus says, “Live life to the fullest”.
35. Pidge by Linda
Linda’s mother came to England in 1965 and worked at a farm in Colchester. The family moved to Bedford, but she wasn’t sure why.
36. Rusty by Paul
In 2021 Paul came over to UK from India to study for a Masters in Core Leadership. He was living in London but moved to Bedford for work. Paul said, “The greater the difficulty the more the glory in surmounting it”.
37. Louise by Gary
Gary was born and raised in Luton and moved to Bedford when his mother moved into residential care. He loves it here and likes the pigeons, he visits them daily to feed them. His message is “Tell my mum that I’m happy”.
38. Alfie by Alice
Both her parents were born in Bedford. Her message is “Be kind”.
39. Peace by Cliff
Cliff was born in Birmingham, as were his parents. He lived in Luton, but his children went to school in Bedford, so the family decided to move to Bedford.
40. Rainbow pigeon by Anne
Anne tells us to “Enjoy life and pass it on to others”.
41. Bob by Wayne
Wayne’s mother comes from Colchester and his father from Houghton Regis. Wayne was born in Dunstable. In 2002 he moved to Bedford after a relationship break up, where he met his partner and had a child. His message is “Be happy and respect each other around you”.
42. Jim by Harrison
Harrison’s message is “Be happy and have fun”.
43. Peggie by Jessica
Jessica’s mother is from Gabon, France and her father is from Scotland. They moved to Bedford for love. She says “Be free like a pigeon. Peace”.
44. Tota by Shockat
Shockat was born in Pakistan. He moved to Italy and then England because it’s better! He says, “Everyone in the world I wish happiness”.
45. Ella by Anora
Four-year-old Anora was born in Bedford, but her parents were born and raised in America. Five years ago, her family moved to Bedford to be nearer to her extended family in Ampthill and Maulden. Her message is “To whole people, help pigeons, feel good and bridges”.
46. Eddie by Rachel.
Rachel came from Newcastle to Bedford for work.
47. Zosia by Magda
Magda moved to Bedford for the green spaces. She is originally from Poland however has moved to many places before Bedford but is very happy here. Her message is “Be kind to yourself, be kind to the world and enjoy every minute of your life. Smile to everybody on the streets of Bedford”.
48. Greg by Tom
49. Chicken Wing by Rowan
50. Ray by Iris
51. Lisa by Sophie
Sophie was nearly eight when she made her Pigeon. Her parents moved from Poland to England in 2011. They all like living in Bedford, and enjoy the architecture, parks and green spaces. Her message is “I love my parents, they’ve always been there for me and your parents will always be there for you, so love them and God”.
52. Dave by Riley
Riley is from Luton, he moved to Bedford as he feels it’s safer. His message is “I need a cup of tea”.
53. Unnamed by James
54. Long lost Larry by Larry
Larry’s parents are from Jamaica and Barbados. His mother worked for the NHS and his father was an electrician.
55. Pink Floyd by Kerry
Kerry’s maternal family are Irish and paternal family are Welsh.
56. Bertie by Martin
He was born and bred in Bedford. His mother was from Shefford and father from Leicester. The family moved to Bedford for his father’s work. His maternal grandmother’s heritage are Travellers. His message is “Fly home safe and sound”.
57. Unnamed by KIERAN
Kieran was born in Northampton.
58. Percy by Sophia
Sophia’s mother came to England from Sicily. Her father kept homing pigeons at home in Bedford and raced them. Sophia named her pigeon after one of her father’s racing pigeons. Her message is “Stay positive and don’t give up”.
59. Hope by Floyd
Floyd likes origami, he made a beautiful origami pigeon at one of our workshops. He’s promised to teach us how to make one too. his message is “To Hope, fly home safe, love from Floyd”.
60. Mixed Race by Shane
Shane’s father was Chinese/Jamaican and his mother Jamaican. Shane’s children brought him to Bedford. His message is “Peace, love, life”.
61. Violet by Viny
Viny’s family are from Italy. He moved to Accrington, Lancashire for a better education for his children. He then moved to Bedford and every morning he feeds the pigeons. We know this as we’ve seen him. His message is “Be united and peaceful and no strife. We are all equal”.
62. Pingeeta by Alix and Frankie
They moved to Bedford as they have a support network here. Their message is “SOS”.
63. Marcel by Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie was born in France and moved to England when she was six months old. Her father was French and came to Bedford to work at Texas Instruments. Her message is “Paix et amour”.
64. Mister Pigeonman by Mark
Mark was born in Stewartby in 1964. His mum was from Stewartby and his dad from Kempston. His grandparents were from London and Bedford. His message is “Love and peace”.
65. Seraphina by Sara
Sara’s paternal heritage is from Hartlepool. Her grandparents moved to Bedford for work. Sara’s message is “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make”.
66. Amrita by Annie
Her message to the world is “Om shanti”.
67. Brendan by Sara
Her maternal heritage is Irish. Her maternal grandmother moved to Northern Ireland after the partition of Ireland where she married and had her family. Sara’s mother came over to England to train to be a nurse. Her message is “May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you’re dead”.
68. Ollie the Montserrat Oriole by Myrle
Ollie brings greetings from Monserrat to England where Myrle migrated from.
69. Pigeon Queen by Isabelle
Isabelle’s message is “I love pigeons”.
70. Wilfred by Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie’s maternal heritage is from Maidstone, Kent. The family moved to Bedford for work and settled here.
Funded through The University of Bedfordshire and The National Heritage Lottery Fund, we delivered seven Permission2 workshops around Bedford as part of the Hometown Birds Art Trail project. We would like to thank Nomad café and Aconchego for hosting two of our workshops both of which are located in Church Arcade, and well worth a visit! We also worked with a great group of parents at Priory Lower School in Greyfriars.
Many thanks to The Langar Project and The Pavement Project (who meet in Pigeon Square) for allowing us to pitch up alongside them on a couple of Sunday evenings. This allowed us to engage with a group of people affected by homelessness so they could access our project. Often marginalised people are overlooked, but the stories they shared were vital to this project.
All our workshops included people from diverse backgrounds and abilities and through art making, discussion and storytelling, together we recognised and celebrated heritage, without judgement or restriction.
JOIN us!
Hometown Birds Art Trail
LAUNCH EVENT
Saturday April 19th
10am-12pm
Where:
Church Square (Pigeon Square), Bedford.
Tell your story
If you followed the trail and discovered the pigeons in and around Pigeon Square, or took part in one of our workshops, we’d love to hear from you.