Blast off for fun time at Ellesmere Festival
Futuristic machines from the imaginary world brought to millions by Gerry Anderson will be on show in Shropshire over the weekend as part of an annual festival expected to attract thousands of people.
The models from shows such as Stingray, Thunderbirds and Space:1999 will be on display during Ellesmere Festival, which will run from tomorrow until Sunday. Visitors will also be able to see Daleks and the Tardis during the festival to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the hit BBC show Doctor Who.
There will be a model railway exhibition including a model of Ellesmere station as it was back in the 1930s.
Other festival highlights include a demonstration by a canal blacksmith in the refurbished forge at the town's historic Waterway Yard.
The Canal & River Trust will be opening the doors of the newly refurbished forge where visitors will be able to see inside some of the buildings and go on a guided tour.
Much of the yard site is grade II-listed, including the blacksmith's and joiner's shop, dry dock and Beech House, the former head office of the Ellesmere Canal Company. A free ferry will run from the wharf to the yard.
Also on Saturday people are invited to enjoy scenic views of the whole of Ellesmere by taking part in a 90-step climb to the top of St Mary's Church. It will be open from 2.30 to 4.30pm.
There will also be an art exhibition over the three days in Ellesmere Town Hall featuring the work of 59 local artists while the Kyobe drummers, from Thomas Adams School, will perform at the wharf at 11am and in Cross Street at 12.30pm.
Pat McLaughlin, from the festival committee, encouraged people to turn out for the event which is now in its 30th year.
