BEDFORD PARK FESTIVAL REACHES A CLIMAX
This year's Bedford Park Festival - already one of the most successful ever - reaches its climax this weekend with a wide variety of events, including films, gardens, photographs, architecture and music.
Friday evening sees the opening of the annual Photographic Exhibition and Competition, held for the first time in the magnificent beamed Michael Room of St Michael & All Angels Parish Hall. It starts at 6.30pm and the contest winners are chosen by visitors, who receive a ballot form as part of the admission price of £2. The exhibition continues throughout Saturday and Sunday and the prize-giving takes place at 5.30pm on Sunday.
 "Plain Jane" producer to explain how Bedford Park was used in the filming of the series |
Saturday night is film night. The Bedford Park Film Festival features scenes shot in Bedford Park by amateur and professional film-makers, including the recent ITV drama 'Plain Jane', which starred Kevin Whateley. Carlton Television, which made the drama, is sponsoring the evening and the producer will explain how parts of Bedford Park were taken over for the filming. A recently unearthed amateur film of the 1969 'Village Green Day' will also be shown. The programme starts at 8pm.
At 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, the traditional Festival Mass provides the religious climax to the fortnight's events in St Michael & All Angels Church. The Bedford Park Festival Orchestra and Chorus will perform Mozart's Missa Brevis, with soloists Sang-Hae Kim (soprano), Joanna Soane (mezzo), Stephen Brown (tenor) and Johan Bogran (baritone).
On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of local residents are expected to visit 16 of Bedford Park's most beautful and elegant gardens, starting at the Parish Hall, where cream teas will be served. And at 3pm, local architect John Scott will lead the annual Bedford Park Walk, examining the architectural features of the world's first garden suburb.
On Sunday evening, Chiswick Baroque return to St Michael's church with their innovative vocal music, including gems from the 16th-21st Centuries and a premiere by their director Celia Harper.
This year's Festival has already attracted thousands of people and raised thousands of pounds towards the completion of the £500,000 St Michael's Parish Hall Appeal. Some of the money will also go to the Upper Room homelessness project in Shepherd's Bush.
For more details and a full Festival programme, contact the parish office of St Michael & All Angels Church on 020 8994 1380, or visit the Festival Website
29th June 2002
Stars Mingle with Crowds at Festival
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