Castle Quay Weekender
The Castle Quay Weekender
will take place on Saturday 19th and
Sunday 20th March 2011 and it will be full of
life, art and creativity! Expect pop up galleries, craft,
workshops, music, comedy and more.
Organised by Kayte Judge and Erica Roffe, co-founders of voluntary
community group We Are Bedford, the project has attracted some
exceptional Bedfordians. The poet John Hegley, Max McMurdo
(Reestore/Dragons Den), Lisa Tilley (uoldbag!), Jane Perrone
(gardening editor of The Guardian),
The Ouse Valley Singles Club (comedy), artist Jane Edden and a host
of other performers & artists.
There will be a mix of free community
art galleries, experiences, ticketed performances and workshops.
Local artists and makers will be selling their creations and
Esquires night club is sponsoring the acoustic stage. Local
businesses are entering into the festival spirit too. Pensieri gift
and coffee shop will host a jazz singer, while the Riverside Grill
has teamed up with the Blue Glass to offer a free wine tasting on
Sunday afternoon. Bedford Gallery will not only host John Hegley’s
Animal Alphaboat performance on Sunday at 1pm, but will also be the
venue for our Gardeners’ Question Time and Curators’ Question
Time.
School of Craft is running a pop-up
post office for kids and Esquires are sponsoring the acoustic music
stage. For over 18's, there are burlesque life drawing taster
classes – so there really is something for everyone!
The Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave
Hodgson, said: “Thanks to the enthusiasm and commitment of Erica
and Kayte and the many volunteers, the Castle Quay Weekender is all
set to be a remarkable event showcasing a wide variety of local
talent. It’s a fantastic example of people getting involved, giving
up their time and putting on something really exciting for the
whole community. As a council, we have been more than happy to
support their efforts in any way we can. Like many, I’m
looking forward to going along and soaking up the creative
atmosphere and community spirit that will be on show in abundance
this weekend.”
This event is entirely run by volunteers
and has received fantastic support from the RSA, Bonfire Design and
the local business community. The intention is to build on
the positive work that CDP and Bedford Borough Council began by
developing the Castle Lane area and creating Bedford’s cultural
quarter.
”When Kayte and I met in November to discuss
the possibility of doing something in the empty shops in the town
centre, we hardly thought that within a few months we would be
organizing something on this scale,” said Erica Roffe.
“Not only has the project far exceeded our
expectations,” said Kayte, Judge, “but we have been amazed at the
generosity and enthusiasm of the people of our town to get behind
this initiative. People have given their time and
expertise because they feel as passionately as us about creating a
thriving arts scene in Bedford.”
To find out more and see photographs on the
Castle Quay Weekender visit http://www.wearebedford.co.uk/
Contact Kayte Judge or
Erica Roffe via wearebedford@goodthingsltd.com