Arts, Culture and Fund-Raising Football - A weekend in Bedford Borough
A post on Twitter on Sunday by a member of a vocal group which took part in the Bedford Busking Fest declared that "Bedford had a great vibe today." I couldn't agree more, and I would add that that vibe extended across the whole weekend, not just on Sunday, and also to a range of events in addition to the Busking Festival. The performing arts festival Bedfringe continued with a number of events over its middle weekend at a variety of venues, while on Saturday it was great to welcome Proms in the Park back to Bedford Park for the first time in a number of years. The fireworks and light show to round it off could not doubt be enjoyed from across town! The busking festival continued on Sunday with a diverse range of performers, adding a lovely extra dimension to a trip into town. Also on Sunday, a very special charity football match took place at the New Eyrie, home of Bedford Town F.C.
'Maddie Guynn's Football for Life' saw two two teams of great sports take to the pitch as princesses after gathering sponsorship to raise money for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit & Acorn House, both at Addenbrookes Hospital, on behalf of Maddison Guynn. Maddison is an incredibly brave young girl who has inspired a lot of people throught the way she has battled crItical illness. I attended the match on Saturday, and can say that everyone involved did her proud in taking part and raising a lot of money for such a great cause. Online donations can still be made through the 'just giving' page set up for the event: www.justgiving.com/maddiesfootball4life
I headed straight off from the New Eyrie on Sunday evening to support another sports event, the 'Bishop's Cup' multi-faith cricket tournament down in St Albans. The tournament featured teams from Bedford, Luton, St Albans and Watford, all of whom included players from at least three different faiths, with no more than four players from any one faith per team. The Bedford team was triumphant, of course, rounding off a great weekend in fitting style!