Thousands of visitors are expected to soak up the unique atmosphere at the Cumbria Easter Rally taking place in a number of locations in Upper Eden this weekend.
Event organiser Paul Richardson said a new site for this year’s Easter rally would be the town’s main car park near Kirkby Stephen Grammar School.
“There will be tractors, military vehicles, vintage caravans and some wagons,” said Mr Richardson.
But he stressed there would still be plenty of places for people to park, including Kirkby Stephen Primary School, the parking area at the town’s football pitch off Hartley Road, and the town’s business park will also be used for any overspill.
In addition, people will be able to use the two car parks at the grammar school.
At Kirkby Stephen East Station, the Stainmore Railway Company will be holding an Easter craft and food fair on Saturday from 10am to 4pm and will again be open for visitors on Easter Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
A spokesman said: “We will be operating a steam train service on both days (charges apply), our museum, shop and buffet car will be open, and tours of our workshop and maintenance facility will be available.”
At Brough, once again the main action will be taking place at the village’s Grand Prix site, which has now been taken over by HW Martin (Traffic Management) Limited.
In addition to vehicles, there will be pedal bikes at Brough, which will be at Jubilee Gardens on the Saturday and inside the village’s memorial hall on Sunday. They will include a transition bone shaker from 1869, a kangaroo cycle from 1884, a bamboo cycle from 1895 and a humber from 1898.
Also at Brough, Christopher Little, of Toffee’s Tucker street food, will be at Brough memorial hall launching his new catering van which will be selling breakfast, burgers, dirty fries and more.
There is also a site at Winton, with an event at the village hall in aid of Parkinson’s UK.
Attractions will include a tea room with home baking, soup and sandwiches, bingo every hour on the hour, a yard sale and stalls, vintage motorbike and side car photo booth, traditional fete games, pebble painting, temporary tattoos and hair braid, plus a raffle.
And the Fat Lamb, near Ravenstonedale, will again be the base for the vintage and classic cars.
Last year, when there was lovely weather, the crowd was estimated to top 10,000, said Mr Richardson.
Over 50 vintage buses are expected, including more than 20 double deckers and over 30 single deckers, the majority of which ferry passengers between the various sites.
One of the buses is a 1972 Leyland Atlantean from the Jurby Transport Museum, Isle of Man, which Mr Richardson said was quite special. It’s great that they want to be a part of it,” he said.
The annual road run starts at 4.30pm at Brough, following the traditional route, taking in Ravenstonedale, Asby, Ormside and Soulby. It takes about two hours.
“Get on a bus,” urged Mr Richardson. “It really is worth going on.”
On Easter Sunday, the event will conclude with a mini road run, starting at 3pm encompassing Brough and the Fat Lamb.
