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What can I expect at the Bedford Summer sessions?

Alex Pope
BBC News, Bedfordshire
Reporting fromBedford
Cuff & Taylor McFly, four band members, in a row. Dougie, is to the left, with sunglasses raised, with his hand on his glasses, he is wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and black jacket, Harry, has his around round two men, Fanny, has two fingers raised, is wearing blue sunglasses, a blue top and his mouth open, Tom is pointing his finger, and is wearing a T-shirt and jacket. Cuff & Taylor
McFly will be the last act to play at the Bedford Summer Sessions on Sunday 13 July

About 50,000 are expected to attend the Bedford Summer Sessions in the centre of the town. Seven concerts will take place from 3 to 13 July in the picturesque Grade II listed Bedford Park.

Acts include Simple Minds, Rag'n'Bone Man, Supergrass and McFly. From timings to parking, read below to find out more about the events.

What can I expect?

Cuff & Taylor A concert in Bedford Park, showing someone on stage, playing a guitar and a large crowd in front . There are trees in the distance. Sound equipment is on the stage and leads. Cuff & Taylor
Thousands are expected for seven days of concerts

The exact location is Bedford Park, Park Avenue, MK41 7SS.

As it is an outdoor event, music goers have been asked to dress for the weather and, if it is sunny, to put on sunscreen.

Organisers have said that if it rains, the events will go ahead, and will only be cancelled "if the conditions become dangerous". They asked guests not to bring an umbrella.

One foldable chair is allowed per person in designated areas towards the rear of the arena. They are not allowed within the VIP Terrace Garden.

Chairs are allowed in the whole of the arena for the proms on Sunday.

What are the acts?

Cuff & Taylor Two men, standing with a black background, looking at the camera. Jim Kerr, is wearing black, with short grey hair, and Charlie Burchill, is also wearing all black. Cuff & Taylor
Simple Minds will be the first headline act of the concert series
  • Thursday 3 July: Simple Minds, with support from Alison Moyet and KT Tunstall
  • Saturday 5 July: Rag'n'Bone Man with Gavin James and Elles Bailey.
  • Sunday 6 July: Proms in the Park with Russell Watson and Lesley Garrett
  • Thursday 10 July: The Human League with Thompson Twins', Tom Bailey and Blancmange
  • Friday 11 July: Café Mumbo Ibiza with Melanie C, Jax Jones and Fedde Le Grand
  • Saturday 12 July: Supergrass with The Coral and Willie J Healey
  • Sunday 13 July: McFly with Twin Atlantic and Devon

Where should I park?

There is no parking available on the site, but Bedford Borough Council said it is keeping its Queen Street Car Park open overnight for the concerts.

It will be free to use for the first two hours, and will also be free after 18:00 BST on all the concert dates.

Other council-owned 24-hour car parks, all with free parking after 18:00, are:

  • Lurke Street Multi-Storey Car Park, MK40 3HZ, 790 spaces, about a 10-minute walk to the park
  • Allhallows Multi-Storey Car Park, MK40 1LX, 430 spaces, about a 12-minute walk

"This parking initiative underlines the council's commitment to supporting local events and enhancing the visitor experience", the authroity said.

What are the timings?

Gates for the main concerts open at 17:00 and show times are "always subject to change", organisers said.

All entertainment will finish between 22:00 and 23:00.

For Proms in the park on Sunday 6 July, gates open at 16:30.

What am I allowed to take in?

Cuff & Taylor An artists impression of what Bedford Park concert looks like, with entrances and exits, people, a stage, trees and greeneryCuff & Taylor
There are three main gates

You are not allowed to bring food and drink into the arena, but one sealed water bottle, with a maximum of 500ml, is allowed. You can also bring one empty reusable water bottle, which can be filled up at free water refill stations.

For the proms event, food and drink will be permitted.

Do not bring cash as the event is cashless, organisers added.

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