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This year's Bedford Park Festival in Chiswick will help raise funds for Musequality, the local charity set up last year by violinist David Juritz, leader of the London Mozart Players. Musequality aims to change young lives in the developing world by funding community music projects, with choirs, orchestras and bands.

David - who lives in Bedford Park - made headlines round the world when he busked "Round the world and Bach" to launch the charity.

"David began his world tour last June on Green Days weekend, busking on the Bandstand before getting on the tube at Turnham Green to catch the Eurostar" says Torin Douglas, the Festival co-ordinator. "We gave him a great send-off and we're delighted to be able to support Musequality as it moves into its next phase, helping young people in developing countries".

"It's wonderful news and we are enormously grateful" said David Juritz. "We are already supporting the Tender Talents Magnet School in Kampala, Uganda, and this year we plan to launch a music project in Goa, India."

More information can be found on the Musequality website and from the phone numbers and e-mail addresses below.

The story of David's global tour, including media coverage around the world, can be found here: www.musequality.org/roundtheworld.html

This year's Bedford Park Festival will begin with the traditional Green Days fete and Craft Fair on June 7th and 8th, followed by a fortnight of arts and community events. As well as Musequality, it will be raising funds for: the Upper Room, which helps the needy in Shepherd's Bush; and for refurbishment projects and the trust fund at St Michael & All Angels Church, which organises the event with the help of dozens of local people.

The 2008 Festival will include all the regular events - the Bedford Park Summer Exhibition, the Open Gardens, the Bedford Park Walk, a children's musical and a photographic competition - as well as concerts, talks, meals and a few surprises. Green Days weekend will have the usual stalls, fairground attractions, live music, craft fair and children's fancy dress competition, with food and drink at the beer and refreshments tents and the barbecue.

The full programme will be announced in May, when the Festival leaflet is distributed to every home - and many shops - in the parish of Bedford Park, the world's earliest garden suburb.

The Festival gets great support from local businesses and media. Almost 150 firms gave it their backing last year, through sponsorship or by donating prizes, free meals and publicity.

The Festival is now inviting approaches from other companies and media who'd like to be involved in the 2008 Festival, as well as from individuals who'd like to help on Green Days stalls and Festival events. Sponsors should contact Alice Rose at: alice@theroses.com.

"Most of last year's sponsors have already committed their support for this year's Festival and we are very grateful" said Torin Douglas. "Once again there are new events and opportunities and we'd love to hear from anyone who'd like to help in any way at all."

March 28, 2008