Bedford Park Festival Launches World Cup Themed Art Competition
Young artists' work might feature in new book
Festival organiser Torin Douglas with Dunwoody, the Trotters pig, and artist Sangeeta Weatherley
June 17, 2026
The Bedford Park Festival’s new Young Art Competition has burst into life with a suitably joyful flourish, launched on Green Days by Dunwoody, the much-loved Trotters pig, and artist Sangeeta Weatherley, who will judge this year’s entries.
Their appearance marked the official start of a World Cup-themed contest that invites children across Chiswick to pick up their paints and pencils and create something worthy of a place in print.
The competition is open now and runs throughout the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, closing at 5pm on Saturday 27 June — just before England face Panama. Children aged 0–11 can enter across three age categories, with Trotters donating book prizes for the winners. The most striking artworks will go on to feature in a professionally produced book created by Books Bespoke, a new publishing venture founded by Chiswick journalist and mother Lucy Grey.
Entry forms are available from Trotters and Snapdragon on Turnham Green Terrace. The competition is sponsored by Orchard House School and supported by Snapdragon, reflecting the festival’s long-standing commitment to nurturing young creativity.
The football theme continues into the evening of 27 June, when The Chiswick Cinema hosts a special screening of Sixty Six at 6pm, followed by a Q&A with local actor Eddie Marsan. The film revisits the day of England’s 1966 World Cup victory through the eyes of a boy whose bar mitzvah collides with the nation’s sporting triumph — a fitting nod to the 60th anniversary of that historic win.
Eddie Marson to appear in a Q&A after a showing of the film at Chiswick Cinema
Sangeeta Weatherley, who helped launch the competition, is also exhibiting her own work this week in the Bedford Park Summer Exhibition at St Michael & All Angels Church, open from noon to 6pm on Friday. She will then welcome visitors to her studio as part of the Artists at Home weekend from Friday to Sunday.
This year marks the 60th Bedford Park Festival, organised by St Michael & All Angels to raise funds for the church and its 2026 charities: The Upper Room in Shepherd’s Bush, The McCabe Educational Trust supporting health and education projects in the Holy Land, and The Mulberry Centre, celebrating 25 years of supporting people affected by cancer.
Running from 12 to 28 June, the Bedford Park Festival, organised by St Michael & All Angels Church, raises funds for the church and its chosen charities: The Upper Room in Shepherd’s Bush, the McCabe Educational Trust, and The Mulberry Centre, which is marking its 25th anniversary supporting people affected by cancer.
Beyond the opening weekend, the festival continues until Sunday 28 June with a full programme of concerts, talks, exhibitions, theatre and community events — from a lunchtime organ recital by international organist D’Arcy Trinkwon to the concluding festival mass performed by the Bedford Park Festival Orchestra and Chorus.
Full details of the programme and ticket booking.
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