What a thrill it was to welcome 6 world class Kenyan athletes to the Mayor's Parlour yesterday. Huge credit must go to Kenya Community Bedford and all those who have worked to make the prestigious visit happen. It was a great pleasure to meet them all and to thank them for coming to Bedford to take part in a full programme of events through the week for the benefit of the local community.
Having received an excellent response from Parish Councils after inviting them to nominate a local pub as a venue for one of the monthly 'Pints in the Parishes' events, I had to conduct a draw to identify at random the pubs I will be visiting. The first event at the Swan in Elstow was an extremely useful way of finding out the concerns and ideas of residents in an informal setting, and I am looking forward to the rest of the schedule, which is now confirmed.
As someone who doesn't even particularly relish the prospect of riding on rollercoasters, I surprised myself by agreeing to try out 'The Swoop' at Bodyflight in Clapham when I visited on Friday morning. The Swoop may sound like a harmless enough name for an attraction, but it involves a jumping off a building 110 feet up and travelling at over 35 miles per hour along a 200 feet zip wire to the ground (http://www.bodyflight.co.uk/facilities/swoop.html) . It certainly beats a cup of coffee as a morning 'pick-me-up!'
Deputy Mayor Cllr Charles Royden attended the launch of the Show Racism the Red Card campaign in Bedford Borough at Beds Police HQ on Monday. Show Racism the Red Card is a national anti-racist charity which promotes anti-racism to children and young people, particularly through football. When I first learnt about the national campaign and the way it engages young people in promoting this important message I was very keen that children in the Borough should benefit from it. I'm delighted that the programme is now getting underway, and I'm just sorry I wasn't able to be at the launch on Monday and meet BBC football pundit and former West Ham striker Leroy Rosenior and ex-Watford and England forward Luther Blissett!
The St George's Flag was flying at Borough Hall and Town Hall yesterday as England took on Slovenia in the crucial World Cup match in South Africa. It obviously brought the team good fortune, and it will be flying once again on Sunday when we take on Germany!
This week is armed forces week, culminating in Armed Forces Day tomorrow. On Monday a flag raising ceremony took place, and I joined veterans and Councillors in honouring the brave men and women who make up the Armed Forces Community.
