Bedford summer concerts 'bring the whole community together'

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".

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.

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."

"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."

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."

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."

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external.