Join the Big Sing at Beeston Festival

Beeston Festival is marking its 25th year and the organisers want your help to celebrate it.

During the afternoon they hope everyone present will come together to sing Lean On Me in a show of community solidarity. Preparations are already being made with choir leader Tess Smith visiting schools and community groups to teach and rehearse the song.

Lean On Me was written by Bill Withers and was a hit in the 1970s. It has been covered by many artists and used in film and TV including the series Glee.

There will be more live music at the festival, which takes place on Saturday 22 June in Cross Flatts Park. Punjabi Roots Academy, Heir, Foxes Faux and Sunflower Thieves will all be playing on the main stage, which will be headlined by Empress Imani.

The spoken word Emerge stage returns for a second year with nationally renown poets Matt Abbott and Toria Garbutt. You can join them by entering the ‘Written in Leeds’ competition. Register between 12-12:30pm, your poem should be about Leeds and last no longer than 3 minutes.

There’s plenty for children to enjoy with inflatables, a climbing tower, arts and craft area and sports activities, not to mention the fun fair. Alternatively you can browse the 100 or so stalls in the community bazaar, or visit the farmyard animals and exotic animals on display.

There really is something for everyone. So do come along and join the fun from 12-5pm. You can download the programme here: Programme Beeston Festival 2019

Full details can be found on the festival website at: beestonfestival.org.uk and their Facebook page. Please note stall bookings close on Friday 31 May.

The festival is sponsored by White Rose Office Park, DePuy Synthes, Building Blocks Nursery and Leeds Federated and Unity Housing Associations. It has also received grants from the Inner South Community Committee and from ward Councillors.

 

Photo: Zachary Cacicia via Creative Commons