Mayor's Column: Community comes together for local charities

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who supported my recent Charity Quiz Night at Leighton Town Football Club. As Town Mayor, it is always inspiring to see our community come together in support of others.

The evening raised an outstanding £1,050 for Freddie & Friends, a local Community Interest Company dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), together with their families and friends.

My sincere thanks go to Leighton Town Football Club for generously providing the venue free of charge and for their outstanding hospitality throughout the evening. I am also grateful to our excellent Quiz Master, Geoff Springer, for keeping everyone entertained, and to the team from Freddie & Friends for helping Leighton-Linslade Town Council organise the event and for running the raffle so successfully. Finally, thank you to every team, volunteer and supporter whose generosity helped make the evening such a memorable success.

I now look forward to welcoming residents to my next charity event, the Town Mayor's Charity Concert, on Friday 13 November 2026. We are delighted to welcome The Bedfordshire Band of the Royal British Legion, together with local favourite vocalist Lissie Allsopp, for what promises to be a wonderful evening of music and community spirit.

Admission is free, with a retiring collection for TIBBS Dementia Foundation, whose invaluable work provides activities, therapy and support for people living with dementia and their families across Bedfordshire.

As Christmas approaches, I also warmly invite everyone to my annual Candlelit Carol Concert on Saturday 12 December 2026 at 7.00pm at All Saints Church, Church Square, Leighton Buzzard. Admission is free, with a retiring collection in aid of Mencap and All Saints Church. The evening will feature The Bedfordshire Band of the RBL, the All Saints Choir and the Young Singers, followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

These events reflect the very best of Leighton-Linslade. They celebrate our generosity, strengthen our community spirit and demonstrate what can be achieved when local people come together to support good causes. I look forward to welcoming residents to both events.