Automobiles of every size and type will be vrooming their way to the Head of Stream – Darlington Railway Museum this month (May) for its annual Vintage Vehicle Rally.
A variety of rare and unusual vehicles from across the North East and Yorkshire will be on show. Among the highlights already booked are a velocipede track bike, Land Rover fire appliance, a selection of Capris and a Harley Davidson sportster.
The rally will take place on the museum’s event field, on Sunday 19 May, 10am-4pm, and there will be a host of other entertainment for all the family including children’s entertainer, arts and crafts and miniature train ride.
Entry is £2 for adults and £1 for children, which includes admission to the museum and vehicle exhibitors will also gain free entry to the museum with their exhibitor pass. Children under five and annual family pass members go free.
Staff are also keen to hear from anyone interested in displaying their own vintage vehicle – simply contact the museum on 01325 405060 or email headofsteam@darlington.gov.uk to request a booking form.
The annual rally is just one of a host of events coming up in a packed programme which includes the latest in the Afternoon Lectures, organised by the Friends of the museum, talks and exhibitions from the North Eastern Railway Association (NERA) and a host of fun and games for youngsters during the May half term and summer school holidays.
June sees two new exhibitions open, the first Play and Display: Paper and card toys will run from Saturday 8 June until Saturday 1 September in the museum’s temporary exhibition room. Visitors will be able to relive childhood memories as they view a range of paper and card toys. The toys first began to be commercially produced in the 1800s and all kinds of affordable, yet delightful toys have been created since then. The display includes examples of paper dolls, theatres, puppets, panoramas and cut-out books dating from the 1880s to the 1960s. Normal entrance fee.
Budding space explorers can enjoy an ‘out of this world’ experience as the Moon Exhibition, which runs from Saturday 15 June until Monday 26 August in the Meeting Room, offers the chance to touch a piece of moon rock. The exhibition will explore moon mythology, discover the science behind our nearest neighbour and re-live historic moments in space exploration. It will appeal to families and space enthusiasts of all ages. Normal entrance fee.
Leona White-Hannant, Manager Curator at the Head of Steam, said:
“Our Vintage Vehicle Rally is one of the highlights of the year here at Head of Steam and always proves to be popular with visitors of all ages.
“As well as the chance to see a great array of vintage vehicles, there is also the opportunity to explore the museum and we have a packed programme of events coming up in the months ahead, with something for all ages to enjoy.”
For more information contact the museum on 01325 405060 or visit www.head-of-steam.co.uk or www.darlington.gov.uk/darlingtonevents