Believe it or not, even though the snow keeps threatening, plans are already being put in place for Leighton’s Summer Sunday event
This year’s themes for various dates across June, August and September have been agreed, but further details are to be discussed at a Leighton-Linsalde Town Council partnership committee meeting on Thursday.
The Charter Event weekend will begin on June 1, when the official handover of the Market Charter ceremony at the Market Cross will take place at midday.
The chairman of Central Beds Council will handover the Charter to the Town Mayor where there will be entertainment and a display of the historic market throughout the years. The following day will be the People’s Charter Day inconjunction with the National Big Lunch, with a theme of medieval days that will see about 800 people sit in the High Street for entertainment, music, craft stalls and workshops, hog roast and games during the day.
Cafes, pubs and restaurants in the town centre will be encouraged by the council to provide pre-ordered take out lunch packs or afternoon tea for visitors.
The event’s budget has been valued at £15,000, with £10,000 from the Summer Sundays money being used for entertainment, set-up, tables, benches and stalls.
The rest of the budget is from the Portas Bid funds which will provide staffing, health and safety, licenses, road closures, decoration, rubbish clearance, bus service and parking plus publicity and promotion.
Thursday’s meeting will also discuss future events such as The Children’s Day, with the idea of producing a number of themed events to encourage people into the town on Sundays.