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Summer concerts 'bring the community together'

Alex Popein Bedford
Cuffe & Taylor Four women, at a concert, smiling and looking at the camera. One is wearing sunglasses and another, to the right, is holding a can in one hand close to her head, with her other arm in the air. Cuffe & Taylor
About 30,000 people are expected over four days to Bedford Park

A series of concerts, set to attract crowds of about 30,000 over four nights, is helping to bring the community together, a charity has said.

The Bedford Summer Sessions 2026 will feature home-grown talent Tom Grennan on Saturday, Deacon Blue on Thursday, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell on Friday and finishing with Paul Weller on Sunday.

Carl Field, from the Bedford MS Therapy Centre, the concerts' chosen charity for about 12 years, said last year it raised £11,000.

He said the gigs, at Bedford Park, help raise its profile, much-needed funds and are "a real community event".

Cuffe & Taylor Six people, standing under an awning, smiling and looking at the camera. Five are wearing pink high-vis jackets. Two people to the left have a metal railing between them and are holding devices. Two people to the right have a number of red wristbands along their arms. They are standing on grass. Cuffe & Taylor
Volunteers from the Bedford MS Therapy Centre, scan tickets, greet concert-goers as they arrive and show them where to go

Field said: "We need to raise half a million pounds a year, so every bit we raise is essential to keep us operating.

"The concerts are amazing, we look forward to it every year, we forge links and we have about 140 volunteers helping out.

"Getting in front of thousands of people collecting money is a massive opportunity for us, it makes people aware of what we do, lots of people find out we exist by going to the concert."

The charity, which helps people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and related rare neurological conditions, said it also makes money from raffling ticket upgrades, and add-on donations when concert tickets are purchased.

"The money raised from this year will go towards building a new multifunctional exercise space, set to cost about £12,000", Field added.

The Flute A bar, with a black sign, above windows, with lights on inside. A sign for a concert is above the black sign, with a banner and four pictures of artists on the wall. The Flute
The Flute bar, in the centre of Bedford, has helped promote the event for months

Lui Magliaro, the joint owner of The Flute, a bar in the centre of town, said: "It brings the whole community together.

"It's great that Tom Grennan, born and bred in Bedford, is coming back, it's fantastic.

"It attracts more people to the town, it's good for the community, good for the town and good for the economy."

He said all the acts were of a "great variety" and added:

"We can bring our children, aged 14 and 11 to see Tom Grennan and my parents, who are in their 60s to see UB40, with Ali Campbell."

Martin McKay Tom Grennan, on the stage wearing a red jumpsuit, with one arm out and the other holding a microphone. He has short curly hair and is wearing sunglasses. Stage lights are behind him. Martin McKay
Tom Grennan will be returning to his hometown for his second Bedford Summer Sessions appearance

Mark Harrison, from concert promoters Cuffe & Taylor, said: "After Tom Grennan sold out Bedford Park in 2022, bringing him back to his hometown was something we were really keen to make happen.

"Seeing a local artist go from strength to strength and become one of the UK's biggest acts is something Bedford can be hugely proud of."

Bedford MS Therapy Centre A group of people, in pink high-vis jackets, all looking at the camera and smiling. They are all holding blue buckets with writing on. Three are in wheelchairs and one person has crutches. They are by a brick building and a bush, with trees and foliage behind them. Bedford MS Therapy Centre
Volunteers from the Bedford MS Therapy Centre ready to help before last year's concerts at Bedford Park

A spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council, which owns Bedford Park, said: "It is always one of the highlights of the summer and is a key cultural event that boosts Bedford's profile, brings people together and enriches community life with world-class music right on our doorstep.

"It's a unique chance to see top music acts live, support our local economy and celebrate Bedford's vibrant community spirit together."

Cuffe & Taylor A large crowd, at a concert, with red stage lighting and a red backdrop with a blurred face on it. An act is on the stage, with instruments behind. A person is on top of someone's shoulders in the audience. Other people's heads in the crowd can be seen.Cuffe & Taylor
The gigs take place on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

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