Mayor Dave Writes: A Lot to Look Forward to Over the Summer Ahead
Writing in his May column for the Bedford Bulletin, Mayor Dave Hodgson looked ahead to an exciting summer of events and attractions in Bedford Borough.
Here's the full text of his piece
At the time of writing the weather has taken a turn for the better. Let's hope it's a sign of a warm, dry and bright summer ahead. While the weather can't be relied upon, however, one thing that is for sure is that there will be no shortage of things to do this summer in Bedford Borough.
It may be a River Festival off-year following its record-breaking 2016, but there's still an extensive array of events and attractions to look forward to. Bedford's Big High Street Showcase returns on Saturday 3rd June, offering live music, street stalls, sports and a wide range of children's entertainment. The Bedford International Kite Festival takes place on the following weekend in Russell Park, where kite flyers from around the world will put on a great spectacle.
Included amongst the many performing arts events are a slimmed-down Bedfringe and the Bedford Park Concerts, including Proms in the Park, which has made a very welcome return to Bedford Park in recent years.
Summer is of course an ideal time to enjoy our parks and open spaces, while both the John Bunyan Community Boat and the Artful Dodger both offer the chance to get on the river for a leisurely cruise.
A common theme across local summer events and attractions is the volunteer effort that goes into them. The numerous fetes and fairs and village shows, in particular, are powered by a vast resource of energy, talent and commitment on the part of volunteers.
Their efforts are reflected in the entertainment on offer, and I strongly recommend visiting some of the fairs and fetes taking place in the coming months, especially if you wouldn't normally do so. They encapsulate the spirit that makes Bedford a Borough of events; a spirit which will be on display in abundance throughout the summer ahead.
Mayor Dave Hodgson