Boxing and bands
Sunday proved to be one of those days when being Mayor is almost pure pleasure. I entertained world champion boxer Joe Clazaghe, his trainer father Enzo, and a large tribe of Calzaghes - many from Bedford or nearby -in the council chamber of the old Town Hall. The trip was Joe’s father’s day gift to his Dad.
Enzo, 60, came to Bedford aged two or three with his family when his father worked in the brickworks. They lived in Dudley Street and he went to Goldington Lower School until the family moved away a decade later. They now live in South Wales.
To hear Enzo tell it, his Bedford days were idyllic (apart from frequent acquaintance with the cane at school), and he often recounted them to his family. At a presentation in the mayor’s parlour he said he had often longed to come back to Bedford but never dreamed it would be as an honoured guest.
I presented him with a limited edition of Bedford Portrayed (reproductions of painting of Bedford by various artists) and an address of welcome; he gave Bedford a display set of a picture of Joe winning his WBC world crown and the buckle of the belt which went with it.
At the buffet lunch which followed, I asked Joe if there was any likelihood of him making a comeback. He said not. Comebacks rarely worked out well. He had retired unbeaten and in good health and that meant more to him than money. Very wise, too. No comeback for Calzaghe - yoiu read it here first.
The family has another, less pleasant, connection with Bedford. They are suing Frank Warren, once the owner of Bedford blues for £2 million from fights promoted by him. “You had some problems with him, as well,” said Enzo. I told him that Bedford had cost Warren a lot of money; he hadn’t made any here. “Good,” said Enzo.
This court battle is due to come to a climax soon. Enzo asked if I knew why the earlier stages had received little press coverage. I said maybe it was because Warren had a reputation for suing the press and that sports reporters were often reluctant to risk annoying good sources of copy like Warren.
After the buffet we all went to the newly refurbished bandstand in Mill Meadows for the firstr Sunday concert performed by Bedford Town Band. I inbtroduced the Calzaghes, father and son. Enzo again got emotional about Bedford. The family stayed for the first half of the concert before leaving for another family engagement.
There was more music after the concert ended. The Salvation Army was back playing on the Embankment. I haven’t seen them there for several years.
There will be free concerts at the bandstand every Sunday between three and five pm until August 24. We have new deckchairs; it’s like old times