Find local news in Kent

Home   What's On   News   Article

Chatham Dockyard Festival of Steam and Transport in miniature

11:18, 10 April 2020

updated: 11:42, 10 April 2020

An attraction's Easter weekend festival, which had to be called off due to the coronavirus outbreak has gone ahead - in one staff member's garden.

Historic Dockyard Chatham's Festival of Steam and Transport is usually one of the venue's busiest weekends, attracting thousands of visitors over the Easter weekend to see traditional steam transport, fairground rides and steampunks.

Chatham Historic Dockyard's Festival of Steam and Transport is a big event in the venue's calendar
Chatham Historic Dockyard's Festival of Steam and Transport is a big event in the venue's calendar

As the venue has had to shut due to the Covid-19 crisis, the popular event had to be cancelled.

But, one staff member, Vicky Hazelhurst in the maintenance team, decided to recreate the event in her own garden, while staying at home.

A miniature Festival of Steam and Transport
A miniature Festival of Steam and Transport

The familiar traditional steam vehicles are all there, along with one of the dockyard's well known buildings, the iconic carousel and vintage cars.

A spokesman for the attraction said: "It's one event that the team really look forward to each year and they are understandably feeling disappointed that we won't all be together for the event this weekend. Similarly we've had lots of visitors disappointed that they won't be able to come to the annual festival.

Vicky Hazelhurst from the dockyard maintenance team at home with her mini steam and transport festival
Vicky Hazelhurst from the dockyard maintenance team at home with her mini steam and transport festival

"To help lift spirits, Vicky in our maintenance team has created a miniature version of the festival in her garden."

Vintage cars and the carousel can all be seen at the miniature Steam and Transport festival
Vintage cars and the carousel can all be seen at the miniature Steam and Transport festival

The dockyard will also be sharing some of the sights on its social media this weekend.

Share your lockdown pictures in our Snapshot Kent competition.

Recognise these steam and transport sights?
Recognise these steam and transport sights?
How the Festival of Steam and Transport usually looks
How the Festival of Steam and Transport usually looks
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More