HERITAGE TRANSPORT SHOW RELEASE
APRIL 2014
The sun shone for another successful Heritage Transport Show
Organisers of the fifth annual Heritage Transport Show are delighted with the
event that took place on Saturday 5th April 2014.
Lucy Hegarty event organiser, said “We had over 5,000 people on site during the
event and there was a marked increase in the number of quality vintage vehicles.
Our joint event, the South East Bus Festival welcomed exhibitors from all over
the county with an impressive display of buses and coaches.”
The free bus rides around the Showground were once again popular and despite
the ‘every five-minute timetable’, the vehicles were full of passengers enjoying
both the ride and the trip down memory lane. There were over 120 buses at the
event and many of them were able to participate, allowing visitors to decide
which bus they would like to take.
The South East Bus Festival team gave a special thank you to owners who made
their buses and drivers available to provide a connecting shuttle service to get
people across the road to or from the Arriva buses coming from Sittingbourne
and heading towards Maidstone.
The new layout for this year, due to the nearly completed Maidstone Exhibition
Hall meant visitors were able to take a clear route through the many specialist
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sections of vintage vehicles. The Maidstone Exhibition Hall will be opened next
month and will replace the temporary Kent Pavilion officially opened in 2005.
The Show on Saturday 5th April, organised by the Heritage Committee of the Kent
County Agricultural Society, raises funds for the Heritage Section at the main
County Show in July.
Bernard Pike, Chairman said, “Every year we have been lucky with the weather
and this year was no exception. The number and quality of the entries was
brilliant and in particular we welcomed a larger military section and several new
car clubs.
The large display of vintage tractors and agricultural machinery was admired by
many of the visitors, as were the live model steam exhibits and the concourse
standard cars in the Kent Marquee.”
One of the liveliest areas on the Showground was the Kent Capri and Ford Club.
This group formed in 1986 as the ‘Kent Capri Club’ and later incorporated other
Ford vehicles. Paul Holland from the club said, “The Heritage Transport Show is
the club’s first show of the year and we really enjoy the fact that we get to talk to
the public. Owning and restoring vintage cars is not a hobby to be taken lightly
but is hugely rewarding. Everyone in our club has a love for Fords and it will be
the same for every other individual who has bought a vehicle here today.”
Proving to be the place to stop and get a cup of tea was the Naafi Mobile
Canteen. The World War II vehicle served tea, coffee, bread pudding and soft
drinks. Visitors were able to take a seat and enjoy their refreshments in an
authentic tin mug.
Amongst the many vehicles displayed in the Kent Marquee were magnificent
examples of both D and E-Type Jaguars, Bentleys, Audi, Mercedes and a number
of other iconic names in motoring.
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Lucy Hegarty said “The Heritage Transport Show has become a firm date on the
enthusiast’s calendar. Judging by the number of visitors this year we can now
include people who have an interest and admiration for transport. We are
delighted that this small event proves to be a wonderful addition to the Kent
County Agricultural Society portfolio.”
For more information or photos of the 2014 event please contact Lucy Hegarty Event Organiser, 01622 630975 or info@kentshowground
Due to an early Easter, next year’s Heritage Transport Show and South East Bus
Festival will take place on Saturday 28th March, at the Kent Event Centre, Kent
Showground, Maidstone.
For more information please visit:
http://kentshowground.co.uk/society/heritageday/
www.facebook.com/pages/Heritage-Transport-Show/
Lucy Hegarty
Event Organiser & Kent County Show Manager
01622 630975
[email protected]
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