You can get involved in the events we run or sponsor.
Events
One of our most popular is the bi-annual Harpur Trust Art Competition for children aged 4 to 18. To help prepare students for the competition, we offer all state schools the opportunity to apply for free workshops focused on the theme of the competition, exploring a variety of art mediums and techniques.
In addition, we offer workshops for teachers to explore new mediums with a carousel of artists providing a range of ideas and techniques. The competition culminates in an exhibition at the local cultural hub of the Higgins Museum and Gallery in Bedford, showcasing all the children’s work.
Booktastic is another key education event we’re involved in, with the aim of developing a passion for reading for young people across the borough to encourage them to read regularly. Well known children’s authors and illustrators run a series of interactive workshops for pupils who get a copy of their latest book.
We also partner with the Bedford Independent in running The Everyday Hero Awards which celebrate the unsung heroes of borough, from volunteers to fundraisers, and carers to educators.
We sponsor a number of events throughout the year from the iconic Bedford River Festival’s Community Stage and Bedford Sports and Physical Activity Awards to smaller events run by community groups in the town such as The Bedford Iftar and Bedford African Community.
In the past we have run events such as Have A Go Harpur with an array of exhibitors offering have a go sessions from sports to lace making, and circus skills to singing, as well as a host of providers offering advice and support on issues.
Orchestra Unwrapped was another event we ran where the Royal Philharmonia Orchestra performed to hundreds of children and staff from state schools across the borough and the pupils also got to perform.
We may in the future bring these two events back to the town, or similar, to enhance the opportunities available to people across the borough. At the moment, we are focussing our efforts on Bedford Giving and our Accelerator Programme, as part of our vision to create a community where everyone can thrive, as well as our Art Competition, and partnership and sponsorship events outlined above.
Please let us know about any events you think we should be involved in and we also run consultations and research we are always looking for volunteers to be involved in. Look out for information about these on our social media channels.
