Glorious Festival attracts huge crowds

The weather was glorious and Audlem was packed for the Festival of Transport. Over 300 vehicles, ranging in age from a 1911 Delahaye motorcar to modern day classics, paraded through the village in front of large crowds enjoying the spectacle and sunshine before moving on to a packed playing field where the proud owners displayed their vehicles.

Down on the canal, historic narrow boats were another attraction while out of a perfect blue sky, right on schedule, an RAF Spitfire, of 1944 vintage, flew in from the north east and performed a display for the Festival's cheering crowds.

ASET, the Audlem Special Events Team, pulled off yet again a hugely successful event. We are sure all will want thank them for the enormous amount of work that goes into organising the Festival of Transport. Thanks also to the sponsors who make it possible while Bill Consterdine's commentary, both during the parade and as the Spitfire wheeled over the village, was both expert and informative.

Amongst the vehicles on display were some wonderful curiosities. One local contribution on the field caught the eye, a wonderful home-built version of a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, powered by a one cylinder lawn mower engine! Bernard Gribbin, who built the beautifully crafted model, and can just squeeze in to drive it, says he's built a number of other cars of various models. This led to bantering speculation that Audlem may therefore be the home of just about the largest British-owned car plant remaining in existence!

Whatever the merits of that thought, yesterday Audlem was certainly the home of a wonderful Festival that was a credit to the village and everyone involved.

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