As what passed for 'summer' this year clings on for a few final days of dry, warmish weather, I was delighted for all involved with the excellent Bedford Memory Walk at Bedford's Priory Country Park on Sunday that conditions were fair. This is not just because I was taking part (although it was most welcome!), but because it helped a great local charity event in aid of the Alzheimer's Society to be an even greater success than it otherwise might have been.
This morning was of course Macmillan Coffee Morning, a major nationwide charity event, and for me it was a reminder of the remarkable way in which local residents, groups and businesses in Bedford Borough come together to support community events and fundraising activities.
This afternoon Bedford has the chance to celebrate the contribution made by so many local people to the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, and in particular to congratulate our very own Olympic Gold Medallist, Etienne Stott, at a celebration parade through the town. The parade will be setting off from De Parys Avenue at 1pm, before setting off down the High Street and then along the Embankment. Following the parade will be the official re-naming of the Duckmill White Water Arena as the Etienne Stott White Water Arena.
It may have been over a week ago now, but I have to put on record what a fantastic event the Homecoming Parade for Etienne Stott and the Olympic and Paralympic 'thank you' was. We were lucky to have some beautiful weather for the occasion - a contrast with the last time people lined the pavement on the Embankment for an Olympics-themed event, when it poured down on us all for the torch relay! Talking of the torch relay, it was great to see some of the torchbearers there for the parade, along with a good number of 'Games Makers.' Two of the Borough's Paralympians joined Etienne on the bus, with sitting volleyball players Julie Rogers and Jessica Frezza receiving richly-deserved cheers.
