A star-studded, family-friendly celebration of Jamaican culture will take place in Harpur Square this Saturday (7 August) to commemorate the country’s independence.
Levi Roots, BBC Repair Shop’s Jay Blades and BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Seani B will be joining a host of other musicians, dancers, singers and speakers to bring a taste of the Caribbean to the heart of Bedford.
The event has been organised by Right Track, a community organisation that works with young people in Bedford. Thanks to the hard work of its organisers and support from the public, the Harpur Trust, Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire Police, the event is completely free to attend.
From midday until 6pm, the sounds, food and culture of Jamaica will be represented as a celebration of Bedford’s cultural diversity and to mark the independence of Jamaica on 6 August 1962 after almost 300 years under British control.
“We’re looking forward to showing off our culture and heritage,” said organiser Basil Willis.
“I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time and during lockdown it gave me time to think and to put something special together to represent the Caribbean culture in Bedford.”
Basil and his team will be turning Harpur Square into Jamaica Square for the day, thanks to the help of some very familiar faces.
Levi Roots, the musician-turned-entrepreneur who shot to fame after appearing on Dragons’ Den with his Reggae Reggae sauce range, will be performing with his band, Herbs and Spices and is encouraging everyone to come along to enjoy the party.
“If you are Jamaican, please do come down to Harpur Square so we can celebrate our culture together,” said Levi.
“If you’re not Jamaican, please do come out and celebrate with us so we can show off our culture of music, of food and inspirational people right across the globe from Jamaica. It’s going to be absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait.”
BBC Radio 1Xtra’s dancehall and reggae DJ, Seani B put a shout-out to all lovers of Jamaican culture to join him in ‘Jamaica Square’ on Saturday.
“I’m going to be dropping some dancehall classics and some reggae classics and it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to party together,” he said. “So make sure you come and join us.”
Food on the day will be provided by Caribbean restaurant, Carumbar, serving up the Jamaican national dish, ackee and saltfish as well as jerk chicken and curried goat.
Owner, Sophia Forrester, told the Bedford Independent: “Jamaica and Jamaican food is the foundation of Carumbar.
“Growing up in a Caribbean household the Caribbean values are strong, whereby you grow up as a ‘BritishJamaican’.
“Reggae, food and vibes is Jamaican culture and as our motto goes ‘Out of Many One People’.
“We welcome everyone. ‘As wi seh, everyting cool everyting Irie’. OneLove.”
Right Track is a community organisation that uses early intervention workshops to engage with young people in Bedford who are susceptible to knife and gang crime. They use music, sport and education to put them on the right track in life.
Founder, Basil Willis, has lived in Bedford almost all his life. “I was on the wrong side of the tracks when I was growing up,” he said. “I was expelled from school and it wasn’t until I had kids of my own that I came to my senses.
“There is a duty of care among people like myself to make a positive impact on young people and to help prevent knife and gang crime in Bedford.”
If you would like to help support this event, you can make a donation at their Go Fund Me page here.
Anyone donating more than £5 will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a Levi Roots Reggae Reggae Sauce food hamper.
