Audlem set for Festival of Transport
More than 300 vintage vehicles will go on display as part of a celebrated transport festival this weekend.
The 17th Audlem Festival of Transport, organised by Audlem Special Events Team, will take place on the village playing fields on Sunday.
Motorbikes, cars, tractors and buses from the past 100 years will parade through the village, near Market Drayton, before assembling on the playing field off Cheshire Street for closer inspection.
Andrew Smith, chairman of Audlem Special Events Team, said they were expecting between 4,000 to 5,000 visitors.
He said: "We have more than 300 vehicles booked in for the parade. This includes a rare 1924 Bugatti and Bentley are sending a racing car for people to see.
"It is normally great event which is growing in popularity each year. There is something for all the family including music this year and everything starts at about 11am."
Also taking place in the village this weekend is the historic narrowboats gathering on the canal at Audlem Wharf next to Audlem Mill and the Shroppie Fly.
A total of 31 vintage boats are expected to be moored down the recently refurbished canal towpath.
They will be moored from the A525 road bridge near Audlem Mill down to Lock 15.
Peter Silvester, from Audlem Mill, said: "Lined up alongside the towpath will be about thirty colourful ex-working boats dating from about 1905 to 1960. Included among them is fly-boat Saturn, built in 1906, which operated along the canal on timetabled goods services, on a 24-hour-a-day basis.
"The boats have come to Audlem from all over the Midlands and north west, some taking many days for the journey.
"Some are still in full working condition, and some do still trade – there are three boats that sell coal and fuels – while others have had cabins fitted, and are used for pleasure boating. Many attend similar boat gatherings around the canal system. The gathering attracts visitors from a wide area. Several thousand visitors came last year, and the event is a superb day out all the family, not just canal enthusiasts."
People can also take a trip on the canal with the Audlem Lass boat service.
