This week Bedford’s Embankment received a brand new addition – the official Castle Quarter Area Map was installed next to the historic Suspension Bridge

However the map is not just the official recognition of the Castle Quarter area, but is in itself a work of Art.

The map, having been designed and drawn by local Castle Quarter Illustrator and Artist Alasdair Bright, is also a first for Bedford.

The project was started 18 months ago by local business owner Karen Fryc who wanted to see the Castle Quarter area not only recognised as a designated area within Bedford, but also as a tourist destination.

As a team Karen and Alasdair have worked on the project together and have faced many obstacles along the way.

Karen said, ‘It has been a very long journey to get the sign put it, but seeing it here today has made that journey so worthwhile’, Karen added, ‘There have been many twists and turns in the road to arrive at this point, but now that the sign is finally in its rightful place, I couldn’t be happier’.

Alasdair said, ‘When Karen first approached me with the project I knew I wanted to get involved. It was such a fantastic idea and being a local resident as well, I couldn’t wait to get started’ Alasdair added, ‘My map is meant to not only show people all the great things to see within the Castle Quarter area, but to do this in a piece of unique public art’.

The map is not only factual but also contains many of Alasdair’s signature quirky and fun depictions of everyday life within the Castle Quarter. It shows the area in its true spirit as historic, individual, full of life and above all, distinctive.

So the next time you are walking along the Embankment why not take a meander past the Suspension Bridge and take a look at Bedford’s latest piece of Installation Art

Karen and Alasdair would like to thank the local Councillors who backed the project as well as Andrew Prigmore, Highway Asset Manager, of Bedford Borough Council.

You can see more of Alasdair’s work at - www.brightcreative.co.uk/