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Kent transport events this weekend including a Cyclefest, Transport Weekend and Steam Gala

Get transported to a weekend of activities with these four fantastic events across the county.

1 Vintage buses, cars and motorbikes will be lining up for the Faversham Transport Weekend. It runs on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14, includes free bus rides, a market and entertainment, plus more than 350 cars and motorcycles.

There will also be a family area in Central Car Park, with activities for children from two to 11, including Creation Station providing crafty things for the children to do, a bouncy castle and Punch and Judy. For more details visit faversham.org.

Nick and Nigel Ventham with their 1937 Vauxhall DX at a previous Faversham Transport Weekend. Picture: Chris Davey
Nick and Nigel Ventham with their 1937 Vauxhall DX at a previous Faversham Transport Weekend. Picture: Chris Davey

2 It’s a big year for the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, as it marks its 90th anniversary.

This weekend, for its Steam and Diesel Gala, it will be running a timetable for 33 consecutive hours, from 9.30am on Saturday, May 13 through to 6.30pm, on Sunday, May 14. No.5 engine Hercules, recently back from intermediate overhaul, will be the star of the show, with a range of other locomotives and visiting engines adding to the fun. For weekend tickets, visit rhdr.org.uk.

Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway Picture: Gary Browne
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway Picture: Gary Browne

3 A heavyweight of the steam era will be taking visitors on a journey back in time this weekend. The 7822 Foxcote Manor is the largest engine ever to operate on the Kent and East Sussex Railway and will be in action on Sunday, May 14.

The railway has booked the Foxcote Manor, in partnership with the Foxcote Manor Society, to celebrate a shared passion between full size and miniature engineering, with a display at Bodiam Station of 5in gauge model Manors from the 1/12th Scale Manor Locomotive Appreciation Group. The day will include trips to Bodiam Station, mini Manors on display and the chance to meet engineers from the miniature world. Other locomotives are likely to be on display in the Bodiam Yard and restoration projects will be on show. For more details and to book tickets visit kesr.org.uk.

Visiting locomotive Foxcote Manor on the Kent and East Sussex Railway Picture: Chris Davey/KESR
Visiting locomotive Foxcote Manor on the Kent and East Sussex Railway Picture: Chris Davey/KESR

4 Two wheeled transport takes centre stage in Maidstone town centre on Saturday, May 13. The second Maidstone Cyclefest is being staged in Jubilee Square from 10am to 4pm, with family friendly events, exhibitions and health checks.

Since 2011 Maidstone Cycle Campaign Forum has been working with the council to look at ways to improve existing cycle routes and add to them. Cllr David Burton from the council said: “We need to encourage people of all ages to take to the road and experience the freedom and health benefits that are associated with cycling. We are actively working to improve the borough’s walking and cycling routes and are investing in building the necessary infrastructure to achieve this.”

Andrew O'Neil takes part in a time trial with Dean Brooks from Cycles UK at the first Maidstone Cyclefest Picture: Andy Jones
Andrew O'Neil takes part in a time trial with Dean Brooks from Cycles UK at the first Maidstone Cyclefest Picture: Andy Jones

Events on offer include a Turbo Time Trial to test your stamina and cycle power – with prizes on offer – a free bike health check, a vintage and modern bikes exhibition, including a penny farthing, the chance to make your own smoothie using pedal power and police bike marking. For details go to maidstone.gov.uk/cycling.

And one more for luck...

Dover Transport Museum in Willingdon Road, Whitfield, hols its Dover classic motorcycle show from 10.30am to 4pm on Sunday, May 14. For details go to dovertransportmuseum.org.uk

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