A Vintage Festival
To Celebrate the 180th Anniversary of Ashford Railway Works.
Newtown Green • 1st July 2023 • From 10am
With an attempt to get the World Record for the “Largest Human Image of a Train” come and help us become record breakers!
Non-stop entertainment, including childrens’ entertainment, vintage funfair, land train, classic cars, vintage market, live music and much much more.
The ultimate anniversary celebration, celebrating 180 years of Railway History in Ashford and the history and heritage of South Willesborough and Newtown deserves an event as significant as this.
There may have been Vintage festivals before, but there has never been one like this.
Read The Press Release from SWANCC Sponsors Ashford Borough Council and Ashford International Development Company here Media Release – SWANCC Vintage Fair
Photographs of the Vintage Railway Festival 2023
Vintage Railway Festival Memories Tent
THE ROYAL TRAIN AT ASHFORD RAILWAY WORKS THE CRASH AT ASHFORD SCHOOL PHOTO PARADE PHOTOS NEWTOWN MAP NEWTOWN DIRETORY 1960 LETTER – RICHARD DALE MAP -1871 MENDING THE OVERHEAD ELECTRICITY WIRES NEWTOWN CORONATION CELEBRATIONS NEWTOWN DIRECTORY 1965 HOW SOUTH WILLESBOROUGH BEGAN 2 HERBERT COXWELL RETIREMENT CERT FOOD FOR THOUGHT PT1 FOOD FOR THOUGHT PT2 EXTRACT – KELLY’S DIRECTORY ENTRANCE RAILWAY WORKS NEWTOWN ROAD EARLSWORTH RD CHARGES REGISTER CENSUS -1881 CENSUS – 1911 CENSUS – 1901 CENSUS – 1891 CENSUS – 19XX AUTUMN LEAVES ASHFORD STATION 1950s ATTESTATION OF HERBERT HOWLAND ASHFORD SIGNQL BOX B 21-4-1939 ASHFORD RAILWAY WORKS ROLL OF HONOUR ASHFORD RAILWAY WORKS – THE LITTLE EXTRAS ASHFORD RAILWAY WORKS PHOTOS
Non-stop entertainment from the moment the first visitor walks onto Newtown Green. Hop on board our fantastic Land Train running rides around the Green all day.
Platform 1 the Main Stage >>
Professional Dance Acts travelling from London and Brighton to star on Newtown Green.
Bringing the iconic dances from the 1920s decade by decade to the 1960s.
Dancing workshops teaching all the steps from the 1920s flapper girls the Silhouettes and my Charleston dancers through to the forties Lindy Hoppers and London’s’ foremost 60s Go Go dancers the Meyer Dancers .
Plus energetic performances from bands FREAK FLAG, and The Transients
You will inevitably work up a thirst. Fantastic Local Pub the Alfred Arms will be providing a chilled bar right on the Green. Adjacent to the stage serving in vintage style.
Platform 2 The Exhibitors Zone >>
With space for up to 20 Classic Cars and Motorbikes. Also not to be missed space for 20 market stalls with handcrafted and vintage items to bring that unmatchable festival feel.
Vintage re-enactment groups dressing up in all the costumes of the decades of Newtown, including the Victorian Rifle Group, the popular Victorian Strollers covering every decade and the Vintage Pram group. Plus the Debonair dancers of the 60s who may also add an additional performance.
With no need to be hungry, back by popular demand Harold’s Hog Roast and more.
Platform 3 The Community Zone >>
A key goal for this event is to capture the photos memories and stories of the history of Newtown and South Willesborough. SWANCC will be inviting residents to bring their precious memorabilia to be scanned printed and exhibited as part of this awesome anniversary. Ashford model railway will be exhibiting their layouts and it is intended to invite tales from the tracks to share some of their exhibits from November 2022.
Community Stage Entertainment
With local music acts performing from 12pm.
Serving and Celebrating SWAN
SWAN Women’s Institute with their ever-popular stalls.
Opportunity to host stalls requested by Ashford Guide Dogs for the Blind as June 22 and Cancer Research.
Celebrating art and creativity.
Indians of Ashford Community Tent.
Salvation Army Community Tent.
Platform 4 The Children’s Zone >>
Punch and Judy from Covent Garden
Circus Workshops
Face painting
Rides on vintage cycles
Railway-themed bouncy castle and inflatable slide
A possible return of the very popular Sumo Suits
Entertainment for all the family
Platform 5 The Guinness World Record Zone and Vintage Funfair >>
After the National success of the human image of a SWAN for the Platinum Jubilee, SWANCC is launching an Official Guinness World Record Attempt at a human image of a train. Not just any train but designed to reflect the colours of Ashford SER.
In the centre of the Green vintage fun fair rides will bring laughter, merriment and delight to all the visitors.
All the fun of fair
There may have been Vintage festivals before, but there has never been one like this.
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