So, River Festival Weekend has arrived. After numerous bouts of torrential rain this week, it appears that the weather may be ready to concede that it cannot defeat the Bedford River Festival, with the sun set to come out, particularly on Sunday. Both days will feature a huge range of activities for all the family, so do get along and enjoy the best of Bedford this weekend.
On Monday night I was at 'Bedfringe 6ix... Live!', a fantastic evening of music and comedy helping to get this year's 6th annual Bedfringe Festival off to a flying start. The festival got underway on Friday 13th July, and already there is a real buzz about the quality of performances taking place. It runs right through to 28th July, with a tremendous array of theatre, comedy, poetry, music, dance and more on offer, right here in Bedford across a number of venues. The festival has grown over the years since its inaugural year in 2007, and the high quality, wide range of performances on offer are a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved on the Bedfringe Team.
The size of the crowds lining the streets of the torch relay in Bedford and Cotton End really was remarkable. Glancing at some of the footage of the relay in other towns and cities, I haven't seen such crowds out right along the route, and that's not to mention the enthusiasm on show. People of all ages came out to enjoy a real family occasion, with in many cases three generations enjoying the spectacle together. What is most remarkable, perhaps, is the fact that it was all in spite of some pretty dreadful weather, especially early on the Sunday morning when people will have been heading out. If the weather depleted the numbers at all, it certainly wasn't noticeable, with huge crowds not just along the Embankment and in Bedford town centre but all along the route.
We're just two days away from the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Bedford Borough. At 9.32am on Sunday morning (yes, the scheduling really is intended to be that precise!), the torch is due to set off from Goldington Green, from where it will travel down Barkers Lane, briefly stopping off at Bedford International Athletics Stadium. It will then continue to the Embankment, across Town Bridge, down London Road and finish on Harrowden Road at 10.48am. It will then be taken to Cotton End where it will arrive at High Road at 10.52am and travel through Cotton End before leaving the borough.
Armed Forces Day took place at the weekend, and it was marked in usual fitting style here in Bedford with a parade through town on Sunday, and then on Monday morning at Borough Hall with a Flag Raising ceremony. The Standard Bearers did a fine job as always, and it was once again an honour for me to 'inspect the standards,' which you can see pictured here. Following the flag raising, a ceremony was held for the signing of the Bedford Borough Armed Forces Community Covenant.
There is surely nothing more exasperating for a motorist, cyclist, pedestrian or any road user than facing the disruption of a road being dug up just a short while after the last time it was closed or restricted for road works. This has been allowed to happen because utility companies and other private contractors have not had to ask permission to access public roads and pavements. This week, however, the government has announced that it has approved our plans for a permit scheme which will see utility companies have to apply for permission to carry out works on roads in Bedford Borough.