WEEK-LONG VICTORIAN FESTIVAL TO COMMEMORATE SWANAGE RAILWAY'S 125th BIRTHDAY
Monday 17th May to Sunday 23rd May 2010

News Item and Press Release from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 26th November 2009
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright.
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Reputed first train at Swanage May 1885. Photo courtesy Andrew P.M. Wright collection.

Victorian Swanage is set to vividly burst into life for a whole week next year when the town's award-winning steam railway and its hospitality association join forces to stage a special and evocative festival celebrating 125 years of the Swanage Railway.

Plans are already in place for the Victorian extravaganza which is running from Monday 17 May to Sunday 23 May 2010 and involve the whole community in and around Swanage.

The week-long 'Victorian Swanage' festival will enable local people and visitors to find out and experience first-hand Swanage's rich and varied Victorian heritage.

The highlight will of the community event will be on Thursday 20 May 2010 when there will be a re-creation of the first train to leave Swanage for Corfe Castle and Wareham on Wednesday 20 May 1885.

It is hoped that Victorian dignitaries will travel from Swanage to Corfe Castle and a cavalcade of pomp and festivities - and Queen Victoria may be attending.

Swanage Railway's commercial manager, Martin Payne, said: "We're delighted at the response, we wanted to do something special for the anniversary and the idea of a Victorian style festival seemed most popular.

LSWR train pulling into Swanage platform. Photo courtesy Andrew P.M. Wright collection.

"It was the railway coming to Swanage in May 1885 - after some 40 years of repeated attempts by businessmen in the town - that really opened up Swanage as a Victorian and then Edwardian seaside resort and enabled Purbeck stone to be exported by rail.

"As we are running the 'Victorian Swanage' event for a whole week, community groups in the town - such as the Museum and Pier Trust - are going to tailor specific events for schools and the community as well as a weekend spectacular where there will be a traditional fair, street market and range of other activities such as carriage rides around the quay."

The highlight will of course be the re-creation of the first train to depart from Swanage on Thursday 20th May. 'Victorian dignitaries' will travel from Swanage to Corfe Castle to a cavalcade of pomp and festivities, It has been rumoured Queen Victoria may even attend!

Julian Maughan, vice-chair of the Swanage & Purbeck Hospitality Association, said: "It's a fantastic idea. Although we are already well known for our music festivals, it's terrific to see something that will provide quality entertainment for everyone.

The restored main line connection has allowed trains once again to run from Wareham to Swanage. Here, the first visiting excursion to Swanage since 1972 is seen arriving at Corfe Castle on 1st April 2009. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

"Swanage has such a strong heritage and many of our visitors enjoy the beach but they don't know how important the area was in Victorian times. We are hoping that everyone will become involved and take part - from restaurateurs to music groups, sports teams to local businesses."

Further information about the 'Victorian Swanage' event will be available closer to the week. Anyone wishing to become involved should contact Martin Payne at Swanage Railway on 01929 475215.

More details about Swanage Railway services are available from www.swanagerailway.co.uk or by calling 01929 425800.