Mayor Dave Writes: Opening up Community Facilities... For the Community!
In his latest monthly article in the Times and Citizen, Mayor Dave Hodgson has written of the increased range of opportunities to enjoy a number of community facilities in parks and open spaces in the Borough this summer. These include the Pavilion cafe building in Bedford Park, where the brand new 'Window At the Park' will be opened formally on Saturday monring at 10am. Pictured here is Mayor Dave Hodgson with Nansi Rose and Emma Garrett, the team behind Russell Park's Kiosk at the Park, who are responsible for the new venture after winning a Council tender process.
The full text of Mayor Dave's article is as follows:
"The arrival of summer is approaching, and in Bedford Borough that means more opportunities for us all to enjoy our beautiful parks and open spaces. This year a visit to some of our most picturesque spots has become even more attractive, as we work to open up community facilities to be enjoyed by as many people as possible.
Bedford Park is of course a stunning setting, but its users will know that the very attractive pavilion-style café building has not been open full-time as a café for many, many years. I have been very keen that we bring this community facility into community use. We carried out necessary improvement works and put it out to tender again, with the result that the brilliant team behind Russell Park's popular Kiosk At the Park will be opening the brand new 'Pavillion At the Park' this Saturday.
Another beautiful spot which is being made even more enticing is Bromham Mill. We have installed permanent kitchen and cafe facilities and are opening the Mill on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer, plus Fridays for afternoon tea. Elstow's Moot Hall is another important heritage site we are seeking to open up to as many people as possible, including school and other visits outside of its usual Saturday summer opening.
The council may be the formal custodian of these facilities, but they belong to us all as a community. That's why I am pleased that they are being opened up for more people to enjoy.
So there's even more to enjoy over the summer, in addition to the huge range of events. These include the Kite Festival on 24th and 25th May and the River Festival, which will again showcase the best of the Borough as hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoy the fun on 19th and 20th July."