Bedford UK Town Centre 1985 Part 1

In answer to previous questions, the car was a yellow Renault of some kind, with Lee (my cousin) driving while I recorded, using a JVC video camera with a cable connector to a full size VHS recorder running a 12v lead acid battery. Between parts 1 and 2 we stopped at Bedford park and recorded some students singing and dancing. The first time this was on YT it had 37,000 hits, but it was deleted. This is the third version I have uploaded. The music was recorded by myself and Lee, we were only messing about with my synths at the time and would have done a better job had we known that people would be watching 29 years later, check out more ancient clips on Emerton321 YouTube channel.
On The Embankment, what was the Plaza (aka Century, aka The Nite Spot) is demolished, but you can still see red paint on the wall where the projection room would have been. The building still standing was the museum at this time, although it was originally built as an skating rink (afaik, sorry if this is not strictly true). If you watch the Raft Race video on the Emerton321 YT channel, you can see the museum in the background as this was filmed from the other side of the river. The full version of this film is now uploaded, it includes some of the Bedford Park footage and has been frame stabilized where it had dropped frames at the beginning.

[raysrcsandtech]

Thanks for posting this, from Bedford and it's amazing how to changed. Remember going into the beehive and C&A as kid, how times change.. After almost 40 years I moved away to Canada so see Bedford every few years.

[CreamOfBeats]

This is awesome. Thank you! I moved from Bedford in 1986. Lived in Queens Park and Brickhill. If Jason Randall or Canuthe Cato see this (my two best friends), This is Zack! Hit me up! 😛

[MuddyZen]

This is great! Grew up in Bedford for 25 years from 79 to 04, this is a real blast from the past, thank you :)

[hgx]

I was a child growing up in the 80s. in 1985 i was 8 years old and remember Bedford town very well. Pick & mix at Woolworths, C&A store, the Beehive! So nice to see people just sat having a chat and people watching, not glued to mobile phones!! Life was so much better back then😥😥

[superlornap]

Blimey this is a blast from the past! Studied there 84-88 and have some great memories. Worked in the Saracen's Head pub in be going back soon to see how things have changed.

[markmason-hdmd]

Great thanks for the upload, brings back memories. I was 14/15 in 1985, the year of the B & C Reg motors. I purchased my first Sony Cassette Walkman from Dixons in Bedford in this year.

[RajM-de]

Wow - this is is truly amazing and surreal because I was around there then. Thank you.

[anthonymills]

This is so cool! I was stationed at RAF Chicksands in the 1980's and use to ride this bus every weekend to go shopping in the town center. I hope it is still beautiful now as it was back then.

[bizarreswondersland]

I was 3 :) but I've grown up in bedford I do remember some of these old shops and have seen changes. I can't remember when they paved the road thou. Defiantly c&a stays in my mind.

[Tigerskys-]

Worked in Bedford at Colley Sampson Estate Agents 82-84. Searched for street scenes Bedford 1980s and didn't think I'd find anything so thank you! Nan had a house in The Grove, just up from the The Three Cups pub

[NintyGuy]

Better times! Everyone looked so much happier and friendlier, nowadays you would get stabbed for looking at someone the wrong way

[goneforapee]

Bring back the 80s, what a decade ! Did you notice on 34 secs the blue astra actually stopped at the junction, before pulling out .Things like that dont happen in 2022.

[billb]

Looks like Lee took a fancy to the large lady crossing at 1.55 ish lol (great vid thanks)

[BanglaPassion]

wow people looked so much happier then.

[D-i]

The year I started work. Happier more carefree times...

[Englishsea]

I was born in Bedford in 1984. A lot has changed since then

[Emerton]

Bedford UK Town Centre 1985 full version. The full version of this film is now uploaded, it includes the Bedford Park footage and has been digitally stabilized were it had dropped frames at the beginning.

[monicajarrold]

Look amazing in them time peace and joy

[jennifersmith-ppuw]

Remember it well, great to see it, back in the day, 😅😅😅

[jworrall]

Mate, you listened to a LOT of Kraftwerk!