WHEN local man Alan Williams organised the first Lymm Historic Transport Day in June 2013 it was meant to be a one off to help raise funds for the ten day Lymm Festival.
But it was so successful, in spite of atrocious weather, that it has now become a key event on the region’s transport event calendar as well as generating a wide range of education and heritage spin-off benefits.
“We do have a unique setting” explained Alan, who is still the Event Director.
“The Bridgewater Canal cuts right through the heart of our beautiful Cheshire village. We also have access to a glorious seven acre main event field close by and a tarmacked area next to the canal that can accommodate over a dozen traction engines.” And this year for the second time the show takes to the skies too with a flypast by a Battle of Britain Memorial Fund Spitfire marking the centenary of the RAF.
“There are some great contributions from the Warrington area too. North West Casual Classics Car Club has been supporting the event since year one and describe it as one of their favourite events in the calendar while the Burtonwood Association will be marking the 70th anniversary to the day of the start of the Berlin Blockade. This year too for the first time Network Warrington will be getting more involved by providing a vintage double decker shuttle for the centre of Warrington.
“The trick is to try and provide something for everyone from transport enthusiasts to families” field manager John Parry told us “ I suppose I could be described a bit of a ‘petrol-head’ and there will certainly be plenty that I am looking forward to seeing, but for the grandkids there’s Lightning McQueen, LEGO and dinosaurs too . That’s the complete package for lots of kids”
The event prides itself on being largely self-funding with some top-up sponsorship from local businesses. Key sponsors this year are local building supplies company MKM and Central Self Drive who are celebrating their 50th anniversary. H&H Classic Cars, Urban Building, Redex and KC Autos complete an impressive line-up who can see the value in putting their name to an event that has earned a great reputation.
It all happens on Sunday June 24. The aim is to create an all-day experience with six buses providing park and ride facilities from local car parks as well as nearby Warrington town centre.
The village will be buzzing with traction engines, historic working boats and model railways on what is the first weekend of Lymm Festival which this year celebrates its own 20th anniversary.
Profits from the event have helped fund the setting up of the newly established Lymm Heritage Centre close to the canal. The Centre tells Lymm’s story which has been so heavily influenced by the arrival of the canal in the late 1760s. It has received over 6,000 visitors in its first six months. The project has also received important support from The Heritage Lottery Fund.
To find out more about the event go to lymmtransport.org.uk There are still a few opportunities for volunteers to help staff the event and free pair of tickets plus an invite the after-party. Details again on the website.
Classic vehicles travel through the village
