A corner of Sicily came to Bedford last weekend as friends and neighbours gathered to celebrate the 60th birthday of one of the Black Tom area’s best-loved characters.
Popular local Dom Canzoneri was treated to a surprise party at The Burnaby Arms on Stanley Street, where more than 100 regulars and local residents turned out to mark the milestone in style.
Although born and raised in Bedford, Dom’s roots lie in Palazzolo Adriano, Sicily, from where his parents moved to take up work at the Stewartby Brickworks.
In a nod to his heritage, the Burnaby Arms was transformed into a Mediterranean trattoria for the occasion, complete with Italian flags, lemon trees, and a mural of Mount Etna.
A highlight of the evening was a bespoke portrait of Dom as Julius Caesar, created by local artist Julie Ringlet and presented as a birthday gift.
Landlord Nick Young said: “It was an amazing occasion and reflects the spirit of The Burnaby. Dom is a favourite with everyone and it was a real pleasure to let him know how much he is loved by us all. We’re proud to be at the heart of the amazing Black Tom community.”
Dom added, “It was a total surprise and I had a fantastic day, in fact, the celebrations are still going on. I’d like to thank everyone for a birthday I’ll never forget, and for all the wonderful gifts and kind wishes. Here’s to the next 60 years.”
