The Bedale Christmas Festival will be free of charge and offer something for everyone thanks a grant.
The event is laid on by the Bedale and Village Community Forum and the grant of £500 from Broadacres Housing Association will help cover the cost of a marquee in the car park of Bedale Hall to ensure the big day goes ahead on Saturday, November 26, whatever the weather.
Inside the marquee, from 10am to 3pm, bands and choirs from local primary schools will perform with poetry and artwork by local children and teenagers on display and refreshment and other stalls run by local scout and guide groups.
The nearby North End cobbles will host a market being coordinated by Bedale Banquet and featuring the best of local food and drink and reliable rumours are circulating that a certain bearded chap in red will be visiting to wish all a Merry start to the festive season.
Over 3,000 households have received a booklet inviting them to attend and take part in the competitions. Organiser Sally Williams says they hope to provide something for everyone.
“The aim is an event that will draw all the community together from toddlers to grandparents. Hopefully when they have enjoyed the free entertainment at the hall and marquee, they will then visit the market and local shops.”
Sally said they were especially grateful for the Broadacres grant as part of the hall is under repair and so they needed to find additional space.
“We needed a bigger weatherproof space for visitors and performers and the grant has helped towards the hire of a larger marquee than previously.
“Hopefully it’ll be fine on the day with perhaps just a slight sprinkle of snow towards the end, but the marquee will ensure we will go ahead whatever the weather brings.”
The Broadacres Community Development Fund supports local organisations, groups, and projects in areas where Broadacres has homes.
All grants are approved by the Association’s own residents, via a Community Development Fund Panel.
Broadacres resident Mags Crook, who is on the panel, said: “This event is aimed at bringing the local community together and after the last few years, that has never been more important, so we were only too happy to be able to approve the grant.”
Applications for Broadacres’ 2022/23 Community Development Fund are still being accepted and people/organisations can visit www.broadacres.org.uk/customer-area/getting-involved/community-development-fund to find out more.
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