PEOPLE visiting Stockton Town Centre may have glimpsed an intriguing arrival on the High Street yesterday (24 May).
The Stockton Flyer, a large industrial looking ‘flying train’ was lowered into the plinth ahead of its launch as part of a community celebration to mark the Queen’s official 90th birthday on 12 June.
The whimsical mechanical structure will rumble into life for the very first time at the street party themed event.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, Councillor Norma Wilburn, said: “Many people living across our Borough do so much to help others and contribute towards making Stockton-on-Tees such a great place to live and work so this party is a big thank you to them.
“The unveiling of the Stockton Flyer will make the occasion even more special and I’m sure it will entertain everyone who is in the town centre as it rises from the plinth for the very first time. I urge everyone living in and around the Borough to come to the town centre to be part of this exceptional event.”
Crowds lining the High Street will be asked to wave green flags to signal the machinery to whir into action ahead of the Queen’s representative, the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon, releasing a golden lever to bring the Flyer whistling and steaming from the plinth.
Community stalwarts, volunteers and carers will be the special guests at an afternoon tea in Stockton Town Centre and there will be picnic benches available for anyone who wants to bring along food and join the party.
The event, which is being held on the same afternoon as the Patron’s Lunch on The Mall in London, will take place between 10.30am and 4pmwith the Stockton Flyer set to emerge at around 1pm. There will also be a whole host of free family fun activities including a dog show, a Victorian fairground, a traditional tea dance, Lego workshops, balloon making, street theatre and a Farmer’s Market.
The Stockton Flyer will entertain shoppers and visitors at around 1pm each day following the 12 June.
For full details of the Right Royal Celebration or to see a video of the Stockton Flyer’s creation visit www.stockton.gov.uk/royal
Billingham and Yarm Town Councils are also planning Queen’s birthday celebrations on 12 June.