Aycliffe – Shildon Jaunt ‘An Outstanding Success’

Visitors to the weekend’s Family Fun Day at Locomotion and those who took part in the ground-breaking Railway Jaunt from Newton Aycliffe to the Shildon Museum were so delighted with the actionpacked programme of free entertainment that they are calling for it to be made a regular event.
The fun day was designed to mark the 191st anniversary of the birthday of the Stockton and Darlington Railway on September 27th, 1825, when it became the world’s first public railway to be operated partly by steam.
The jaunt also symbolised the uniting of the two towns – Shildon being part of the birth of the railway and Newton
Aycliffe seeing its rebirth with Hitachi.
“We are thrilled that so many people took time to tell us how much they enjoyed Saturday’s event and would like to see it repeated and shall certainly look into that possibility”, said Trish Pemberton, Mayor of Shildon and Chair of the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Many visitors described the combined attraction as ‘an outstanding success’. The day’s events at Newton Aycliffe Railway Station began with a musical greeting by Aycliffe and Brancepeth Brass Band. Hundreds of supporters, from babies in buggies to mature bikers and determined wheelchair users, turned up to be part of the pioneering sponsored Jaunt to Shildon’s Locomotion museum.
At one stage, walkers, runners, youngsters with scooters and cyclists of all shapes and sizes were strung out along the tarmac track recently provided by Durham County Council for as far as the eye could see.
“We suspected that the walk would be popular but were staggered by how many people arrived to take part,” said Rtn Syd Howarth who led the team of Newton Aycliffe Rotarians responsible for organising and marshalling the Jaunt along the three-mile route and providing free refreshments.
Busiest helpers on the day were a party of Junior Street Champions from Newton Aycliffe’s Junior Neighbourhood Watch who combined pleasure with business by collecting several baskets of litter as they travelled along the path.
Funds raised by sponsorship will be shared between the NSPCC, the Mayor of Shildon’s chosen charity, and worthy causes supported by those taking part.
Locals and visiting enthusiasts were welcomed at the starting line by MP Phil Wilson, Durham County Council Vice Chairman Mike Dixon, Aycliffe Town Council Chairman Jed Hillary and Rotary Club President Nora Scott. Everyone completing the walk was presented with an eye-catching, self-guide Aycliffe – Shildon Jaunt ‘An Outstanding Success’ walk booklet re-creating the1825 route of the Stockton and Darlington line from Shildon to Heighington Station.
The printing costs were met by Great Aycliffe County Councillors Eddy Adam, John D Clare, Mike Dixon, Joan Grey, Jed Hillary, Kate Hopper and Sarah Iveson.
At Locomotion, there were official welcomes from Trish Pemberton and Cllr Jed Hillary, with opportunities to meet a group of friendly animals (including alpacasand a giant rabbit), have faces painted, take part in arts and crafts and sporting activities, try a cycling challenge, have a free health check provided by Health Express, learn circus tricks from a pair of colourful clowns, meet local heroes from the police and fire services and see some wonderful woollies created by the ladies of St John’s Church and the knitting group at the Foundation of Light.
Inside Locomotion, further entertainment was provided by Thornhill Primary School, the Tearaways from Shildon, Roller Skaters, the Aycliffe MAD Choir, Aycliffe and Brancepeth Brass Band, Athena Gymnastics Club, Durham Music Service and a very talented Woodham Academy guitarist and singer Victoria Witton. Displays of artwork and photographs also proved popular.
For most visitors of all ages, however, the outstanding attraction of the day was the chance to enjoy a free train ride behind the steam engine ‘Furness’ – thanks to the generosity of local county councillors who picked up the
bill.
Later in the day Trish Pemberton hosted tea followed by a civic reception with a talk on the Railway Anniversary with further entertainment from the Durham Music Service.