A popular event is set to return to Barrow town centre after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of last year’s event.
The Festival of Transport event is returning on July 17, which is the first Barrow Improvement District (BID) event since Dino Day 11 months ago.
The event will again see classic, vintage and vehicles of interest lining town centre streets, with cars, vans, buses and trucks located along Dalton Road, motorcycles on Portland Walk and scooters outside Salvanas on Cavendish Street.
The event provides enthusiasts with an opportunity to see motor vehicles from yesteryear as well as modern-day classics and reminisce about some of the vehicles they used to own or still dream about owning.
Paul Hodgson, Festival of Transport committee chairman, said: “We expected participant numbers to be lower in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, but the interest has been overwhelming and it looks like we will now have over 200 vehicles at the show.”
As well as the usual motor vehicle exhibition, the Festival of Transport will celebrate 175 years of the Furness Line by teaming up with the Community Rail Partnership and the Dock Museum.
The Furness Line was the catalyst for the growth of Barrow-in-Furness and was pivotal in it becoming one the fastest growing towns in the 1850s following the discovery of large haematite (an important ore of iron) deposits.
Train exhibitions
To celebrate the anniversary, the Dock Museum will be hosting a range of train-related exhibitions and activities. The crowning jewel of the exhibition will be the No.20 Steam Train which is the oldest working steam train in the UK.
The No.20 Steam Train will be exhibited at the Dock Museum and is a must-see for train enthusiasts. Entertainment on the day will also include a ride-on train, modern playground, café and further activities the Dock Museum.
Organisers are to operate free classic bus tours which will depart from the Town Hall (outside the Mall) and visit The Roundhouse, Dock Museum, Train Station and Abbey Road (outside the Furness Railway).
The Festival of Transport will also host a free guided bus tour from the Town Hall to Roa Island. The guided tour will be led by local historian John Murphy who will take people on a ride of discovery with information about the Furness Line and how it linked to Roa Island via the Causeway.
The tour will run at 11am and 2pm with tickets available from the Forum Box Office.
Motorcycle show
The Exhibition Arena will host the On the Edge Motorcycle Stunt Show with performances at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, with the fearless stunt driver set to entertain the crowds.
Prior to the motorcycle stunt show audiences will be entertained by Gary Bridgens and Ian Duncan providing their unique storytelling show. The Bread and Butter Theatre Company will also provide laughs with their whacky characters.
Colin Garnett, Barrow BID manager said: “We know that town centre businesses have had a hard 18 months and people are enthusiastic to get back to normal and start to enjoy life again. We hope that the Festival of Transport will be a ray of sunlight in a hard year and we also hope that people will still be aware of the need to social distance and enjoy the event carefully.
“As well as the transport exhibitors, exhibition arena and the 175th anniversary celebrations, the event will also host funfair rides, local musicians and street entertainment, making it a fun event for all the family. If you go to one event in Barrow town centre this summer, make it the Festival of Transport… you won’t be disappointed.”
Find out more about the Festival of Transport event by visiting: www.festivaloftransport.co.uk
