Crowd-funding for Castle Quay Weekender
In 2011, the seven empty units of Castle Lane became the venue for We Are Bedford’s free arts festival, the Castle Quay Weekender. Five years on and all the units are now full, the area is buzzing with life and the Castle Quay Weekender is back. But they need you help!
This summer’s festival will take place on 18th and 19th June and is a grassroots initiative to celebrate Bedford’s Cultural Quarter. Organised by the local businesses and not-for-profit groups, the free event will showcase local musicians, artists and designers plus the best of Castle Lane’s food, art and culture. The main stage will host live music, children’s activities will take place on Castle Mound, the BedPop Record Shop will pop up at the Higgins and an affordable art & design fair will take place on the Higgins lawn. There will also be a Museum of Happiness and Friends of Refugees will be raising awareness & funds as part of the festivities.
“We wanted to bring back the CQW to celebrate the changes that Castle Lane has undergone in the last five years,” said Erica Roffe of BedPop, part of the organising group. “We want to evoke the same DIY spirit that made the first CQW so special – the can-do attitude of the people of Bedford to make something brilliant happen without huge budgets, corporate sponsorship or commercial agendas. We are appealing for help to crowd-fund £1,500 to pay our musicians and performers, and we’re hoping that the local community will get behind this.”
The live music will be provided by a mix of the best local bands and special guests, including The Darling Mundaring, Painted Lady and Rebecca de Winter. They will be joined by a host of DJs and local talent to entertain the crowds over the weekend. “The whole weekend will be packed full of great stuff for all the family,” said Erica. “It’s by the community, for the community. Everyone who contributes to our crowd-fund will get their name in the programme and benefit from the warm fuzzy feeling of making great stuff happen in their town.”
The Castle Quay Weekender is being supported by the businesses of Castle Lane and also Bedford BID
To become part of the Castle Quay Weekender crowd-funding initiative go to and be part of something amazing: DONATE HERE!
