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Festival of Fire and Light kicks off busy Christmas
Don't miss Christmas lights switch-on with spectacular pyrotechnics display over River Great Ouse
The Festival Of Fire And Light kicks off Bedford's Christmas celebrations tonight (Thursday, November 20).
It takes place on the Embankment from 7pm, when the Christmas lights will be switched on amid a spectacular pyrotechnics display illuminating the River Great Ouse.
A leaflet detailing other festive events is available from Tourist Information Centre in St Paul's Square, and here is a taste of what's coming up.
The Christmas Tree Festival is hosted at St Paul's Church, Bedford, from December 3-7.
Church Square will be officially reopened by Mayor Frank Branston at 4pm on Friday, December, 12.
And the Victorian Christmas Fayre arrives from December 12-14, with stalls in the town centre selling a wide range of seasonal gifts, foods and treats, and many stallholders dressed in traditional costume.
There will also be plenty of activities, including a traditional helter-skelter, carousel, synthetic ice rink, swing-boats, a steam engine and hoopla stalls.
A wide range of seasonal street entertainment will be provided on all three days, and there will be a Victorian Tea Room in the Harpur Suite.
On December 24 a Christmas Eve afternoon walk departs from the Priory Country Park Visitors' Centre, off Barkers Lane, at 1.45pm. For more details contact 01234 353704.
Late-night shopping is a regular feature during December, and children will love to visit Santa in his grotto in the Harpur Centre. For more, call 01234 357330.
Once again, Charity Christmas cards are on sale at the Tourist Information Centre, so you can use the festive season to support your favourite charity. Christmas gift ideas range from traditional Bedfordshire lace through glassware and ceramics to books of local interest.
Also on sale are the Bedford Calendar for 2009, priced at 5.50, and the Bedford Desk Calendar, 6, both of which feature picturesque scenes of the town and surrounding area. Don't forget to pick up a Bedford Diary too, at just 2.99.
And Bedfordshire's very own community railway, the Marston Vale Line, will be running Santa Special services on Saturday, December 15, with Father Christmas on board as a festive diesel train travels from Bedford to Bletchley. Trains depart Bedford station at 10.49am and 12.49pm, with a face painter and balloon artist also featuring, and there is no need to book in advance.
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Weather for Bedford
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
