A Vintage Festival to celebrate 180 years of Ashford Railway Works this July
Published: 09/06/2023
South Willesborough and Newtown Community Council (SWANCC) are hosting a day of family-friendly fun at Newtown Green on Saturday 1 July to celebrate the 180th Anniversary of the Ashford Railway Works and 175th Anniversary Newtown Railway Works.
Sponsored by Ashford Borough Council and Ashford International Development Company, the event commemorates the height of the Ashford railway - from the Victorian era to the 1960s, when the last steam train left the area. The festival hopes to bring together the community of South Willesborough and Newtown, alongside residents from all over the Borough of Ashford (and beyond) to celebrate their railway heritage.
On the day, residents and visitors are invited to mark this momentous occasion at a vibrant, uplifting, railway themed, vintage festival that encompasses all that is great about this area. From 10am there will be a host of activity including;
- Ashford Model Railway displays
- Vintage Funfair
- Land Train
- Classic Cars
- Vintage Market
- Dancing workshops
- Re-enactment groups
- Children’s entertainment
- Live music
Refreshments will also be available courtesy of the Alfred Arms, Harold’s Hog Roast and other food stalls.
This community-led event is also a wonderful opportunity for residents to share their memories of the area and so anyone who would like to bring historical artefacts, photos or memorabilia to be exhibited as part of the celebrations are encouraged to do so.
Plus, SWANCC are also hoping to reach a Guinness World Record on the day by attempting to create the “largest human image of a train” on the day – something they’re encouraging all those attending to take part in! It’s set to be a very exciting day.
If you would like to find out more about the fair, please head to SWANCC's website.
