Festival of Transport
The History of The Festival of Transport
The Festival of Transport has been running in Basingstoke for 30 years. The Festival was originally established by the Thorneycroft Society, set up, by the previous employees, of this major manufacturer of lorries & cars in Basingstoke for over 75 years until it’s closure in 1969. Situated where Morrisons is now located, Thorneycroft’s manufactured commercial and military vehicles and supplied specialist vehicles for both World War 1 and WW2, ‘The Might Antar’ used by the military from 1940 as the standard Tank transporter, will be on show at this year’s Festival.
Less well-known is Thornycroft’s brief foray into car manufacturing, when, from 1903 to 1912, the firm produced high-quality cars at its Basingstoke factory.
For the last 5 years the Festival has been run by Basingstoke Deane Rotary, initially in collaboration with the Thorneycroft Society & Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council but now completely independently, but we still get help and support from the society members.
Over the years the show has grown enormously and is now one of the largest shows in the South of England, not just cars, but all vehicles, buses, lorries, vans and motor bikes, The exhibitor numbers are quite exceptional with some 900 cars, commercial vehicles, tractors and static engines occupying the War Memorial Park, behind the Civic Offices, in the town centre. Last year in wonderful weather conditions it was estimated that 20,000 people attended over our 5-hour opening period.
LOVE VOLUNTEERING
Become a Friend of Rotary
Have fun volunteering with us and help our local community.
To be one of the team of almost 100 that help at the Festival of Transport – just for a couple of hours, half a day or all day – get in touch with Paul Temple – see contact info
www.rcbd.org.uk
Facebook: @RotaryBasingstokeDeane
Twitter: @RBstokeDeane
