Eva Schweitzer is nothing if not cosmopolitan.
She is fluent in five languages, has lived in eight countries, and only came to Bedford five years ago.
But Eva, who is Bedford Borough Council’s Interim Manager for the Town Deal, is proud to now call the town home.
“Bedford is a place where you have so many people from all over the world, all bringing something, creating a town that’s just unique. I love it!” she said.
“Before I came here, I had been backpacking with my husband for a year-and-a-half and we decided ‘Whoever finds a job first, that’s where we’ll live’. He got a job in Bedford, and we started to fall in love with the town.
“My children were born here, and the idea of giving something back – especially in a role where I get to meet so many people – was just perfect.”
Eva is a key member of the team delivering the £22.6million Town Deal initiative, which is providing a range of improvements across the town centre between 2022 and 2026.
The ambitious scheme has included the £12.6million refurbishment of Bedford College with £3 million provided by the Town Deal, the Midland Road project to enhance public realm as well as business shopfronts, and work on Harpur Square and St. Paul's to create of a more accessible, attractive heritage area that will support a variety of outdoor events, activities and performances.
Eva’s globe-trotting life began as a childhood, born in Amsterdam to an American father and Dutch mother but spending most of her childhood in France.
In addition to spending time travelling, she has lived on three continents, and honed her linguistic skills when she completed her Masters in Conference Interpreting and Translation.
Yet she believes there are few places that can compete with Bedford’s cultural offering: “There’s more variety here than you might expect,” she said.
“Most big cities don’t have Italian food as good as you can get in Bedford and I’m always impressed by Bedford’s creative soul. The cultural offering punches above its weight, especially with big events like the River Festival or Bedford Summer Sessions – anybody who comes to visit me says ‘This place is amazing’.
“What strikes me most of all, though, is Bedfordians’ generosity; I’m on several Facebook groups where people will post if they’re in a tight spot and need particular items – and you’ll immediately have 20 strangers jumping on it to help them out.”
Find out more about the Town Deal at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/business/invest-bedford/towns-fund-0/towns-fund-projects