Transport Festival today

It's another big day in the Audlem calendar with a record entry for the Audlem Festival of Transport. The parade, which leaves Hankelow at 12.30pm today should pass through Audlem village centre a short time later and features a hundred years of motoring history in the cavalcade of over 350 classic vehicles dating from 1909 to today.

Fingers are crossed that the weather will improve in a year that hasn't quite delivered the scorching summer we were promised a couple of months ago!

The parade travels up Stafford Street through the village centre and parks on the playing field from 1.00pm. It's a stirring sight and a commentary will tell you about the vehicles as they drive slowly past.

The Cheshire Police Band is performing and then at 2.30pm is one of the highlights of the afternoon – an aerial display by a Spitfire passing over the village several times with the distinctive sound of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine bringing back memories for anyone who lived through World War II.

Fairground rides, a hog roast and stalls as well as wandering around the field to see the great vehicles close-up – vintage cars, military vehicles, motorcycles, commercials – and chatting to their proud owners, make this a great family day.

On the CanalIt's worth a diversion to Audlem Wharf which is packed with a flotilla of historic narrow boats that have arrived for the weekend. They are moored up near the Mill Shop and already make a great sight. The famous Saturn is now a regular visitor but there's much more to see and on Sunday, there'll be an opportunity to go on-board some of the boats and see what life was like on a working boat.

Last night, Peter & Chris Silvester of the Mill Shop laid on a magnificent BBQ supper for the boat crews and announced they hope to see even more narrow boats here for future Transport Festivals which now feature stars of land, air and water – all in Audlem today.

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