We send our condolences to all who mourn the passing of the queen – and reflect that there are many differences between queen Elizabeth II and King Charles lll

Like many of us, he too has given voice to the need for social change – in our own small way we seek to improve life for the community in Shefford and wait to see if the change of sovereign brings positive change to the country.

We certainly live in  “interesting times” with a global groundswell that calls for both more international integration and at the same time for more nationalism – perhaps a workable balance will develop.

Our Community Festival seeks to facilitate those who would like to reach out to the community and engage on a social level for the benefit of all – on that basis we will continue as planned and invite event organisers to do the same. For myself, I was born in the year of the queen’s coronation, and look forward with the hope that our efforts as a community today may yet leave a better world for our children tomorrow.

Best wishes to all – Ian ( Festival Organiser)

Shefford Craft Fair is a completely new event this year on September 16^th 6-9pm at the STMA hall with FREE ENTRY.

As organiser Lesley Whiteman explains “Come and do some early Christmas shopping or treat yourself! The STMA bar will be open (to non-members as well as members) so why not have a social shopping evening with your friends!”

Sounds great! We like the idea of that as Shefford is in the centre of all the villages from Hitchin to Bedford and Biggleswade to Flitwick, so it is convenient to many people in the area.

The annual Shefford Garage Sale Trail is happening on Sunday Sept 18th 2022 from 11am to 3pm with a record number of registrations so a walk round the town should be very worthwhile if only to chat to some really nice people. Who doesn’t love a good car boot sale? Well the garage sale trail is just the same but with bigger spaces between the stalls – and some really big stalls as well – with some stalls taking over whole front gardens!

While you are walking round town it is a great opportunity to check out other events taking place on Sunday 18th like the Green Line Medical Services demo  and the Scarecrow festival.

Look out for your voucher in LivingLife with details of how the first 100 people can claim a free cupcake from Rose’s at Duck Lane. Note – the voucher looks like this but only genuine vouchers from Living Life are valid.

We have a number of signature events at the festival – the ones that have been run for a few years and we all look forward to like the Garage Sale trail, The Scarecrow Festival, the Eatfeast streetfood,  This year we have an event that we hope will also become a regular “The Shefford 100” otherwise known as the Great Cupcake Giveaway! Look for your voucher in the next issue of LivingLife  and present it to Rose’s at Duck Lane on Saturday 17th between 9.00am – 2.00pm – if you are one of the first 100 then collect your cupcake. We hope you have fun and thank you to Rose’s for supporting us.

Sunday offers some fairly gentle family activities and the possibility of learning some first aid before checking out the local artist’s work – we have bought pieces there in the past to brighten our home – and finish with light exercise at the Community Hall for an evening of Tai Chi.

Our programme builds to the second weekend and a very busy Saturday with activities from 9.00am to 8.00pm including  a demonstration of First Aid skills – Tai Chi for all – in the park at Digswell next to the STMA – the annual Art Exhibition at the Community Hall – a four Churches quiz and street food at Pamoli Square in the evening.  A great day to meet the people of Shefford if you are new to the town or just want to get out and about for the day.

The Church of St Michaels in Shefford is quite a landmark and an important community centre throughout the year – and for us at the festival organisers office especially so when they run a lovely cafe over the festival period!

And then we are into Friday with art and a church cafe with theatre fun in the afternoon/evening – a gentle run down to the weekend or a fun run up – whichever you prefer to make it. There is a lot to do in Shefford most days of the week!