Liberal Democrats ensure Bedford River Festival is protected

At Full Council Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats moved a motion to guarantee that Bedford River Festival will be protected with the same size and ambition as previous years. The motion comes following the Conservative Mayor’s decision, and subsequent U-turn following public outrage, to cancel the beloved festival in favour of a smaller event.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Henry Vann said “Bedford River Festival is a massive event for this Borough, bringing in 300,000 visitors to Bedford from right across the country. It celebrates our beautiful River Great Ouse and is full of fantastic activities, food and music for everyone to enjoy, boosting the local economy by millions.

“I am delighted that the motion was passed with unanimous support, but it is a disgrace that it was needed in the first place. The Mayor has shown himself to be completely out of touch with the residents of Bedford Borough. What is more worrying is that his mind was apparently only changed by an aspiring MP from Northampton rather than the thousands of appalled Bedford Borough residents.”