The Bedford Park Festival - June 7th-22nd 2008
The 2008 Festival began with the Preview Party for the Bedford Park Summer Exhibition at 6.30pm on Friday 6 June in St Michael & All Angels. It was opened by Sophie Ellis Bextor, on Saturday 7 June - at the start of Green Days weekend.
Green Days & Craft Fair
Festival charities
The Festival actively supports environmental issues, as part of 'Love London' weeks, and this year launched a campaign to 'Make every day a Green Day'.
Festival programme
Highlights of this year's Festival included a celebration of the work of Richard Briers, one of Chiswick's best-loved residents, marking his 50 years in showbiz and 40 years living in Bedford Park. He reminisced about his career, with clips from his TV comedies and stage productions. This evening was also sponsored by Savills, one of more than 60 local companies supporting the Festival.
Festival supporters
One of Britain's greatest writers, Edna O'Brien, spoke at a memorable poetry evening on the work of WB Yeats, who used to live in Bedford Park. There was also a drama about the life and work of Oscar Wilde, performed by two local actors - Patrick Marley and Genevieve Allenbury, who is currently appearing on television in Emmerdale.
And the celebrated local painter Alfred Daniels, who was featured on TV in Star Portraits with Rolf Harris, painted the poster for the annual Bedford Park Summer Exhibition, which runs throughout the first week of the Festival in St Michael's church.
On the musical side, David Juritz, leader of the London Mozart Players, who attracted world headlines and TV coverage when he busked "Round the World and Bach" last year, performed in St Michael's with other top musicians, including the accl;aimed flautist William Bennett. This year's Festival raised money for his new charity, Musequality, as well as the local Upper Room charity and St Michael & All Angels Church.
Radio presenter Sandy Burnett brought back his top-flight jazz quartet, for the Two Generation Jazz concert, together with the young jazz band from Twyford School. And to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Arnold Dolmetsch, the pioneer of Early Music, the Dolmetsch Ensemble performed chamber music from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
The award-winning musical Honk!, inspired by the take of the Ugly Duckling, was performed by St Michael & All Angels Junior Choir.
The 2008 Festival also included all the regular events - the Bedford Park Summer Exhibition, the Open Gardens, the Bedford Park Walk, and photographic competition - as well as concerts, talks, and meals.