This week, the second of our regular series of columns in the run up to the Little Street Cavalcade – the celebratory parade taking place in Shildon in August to mark the S&DR bicentenary celebrations – updates you on the progress that has been made.
We’re now less than a hundred days away from the community organised “Little Street Cavalcade” parade being held on the morning of Saturday 2 August 2025 to celebrate Shildon’s part in the 200th Anniversary of the first public steam hauled passenger rail journey.
The parade will lead everyone to an engaging fun event being held in Hackworth Park on that day, and the parade organisers are happy to report that so far at least twenty-two groups, including three bands, have registered their intention to be part of the parade.
The most recent meeting of the community planning committee took place on 10 April and was well attended by representatives from a range of community organisations pitching their ideas for taking part and receiving an update on the road closure application for the day.
One of the most exciting aspects discussed at that meeting related to the possibilities and potential challenges of including vintage steam powered vehicles both in the parade and in the park afterwards.
Dave Reynolds, chair of the parade planning committee, told the Crier: “It would be phenomenal to see some steam powered road vehicles lining up with everyone else for the parade.
“There are a few practical points to address, but if we can work with the vehicle owners to make that happen it would really evoke a sense of that steam era that we’re celebrating.
“That aside, there are now some really innovative and fun ideas coming from the different groups telling us what they want to do in the parade and things are really coming together now. If any more groups, or businesses even, are wondering whether to be part of this then I’d say now is the right time to get involved.”
Dave also told us that the parade committee have been able to get some financial help from the S&DR 200 Festival fund to buy materials for, and run a series of workshops with community groups to create, colourful banners and flags to carry in the parade.
This banner and flag making activity would take place over three ‘design and make’ sessions which would happen on Sundays in the build up to the parade, with a first session later this month to develop design ideas, a second to create the designs and a third session focused on guiding makers through assembling the finished products.
Groups have the option of making a large banner with carrying poles and ropes, a large flag, or a series of smaller flags or pennants for younger people to carry.
The flags and banners created can live on after the parade as groups can keep and re-use them. If your group or society is interested in taking part in the banner or flag making then you can let Dave know either at the next planning meeting, by emailing dave.reynolds@thesha.uk or calling/texting him on 07967 202583 letting him know what you’re interested in making. Places are limited.
Don’t forget, there are two ways you can register your group or business to take part in the parade – but you need to register by 31 May 2025.
Firstly you can get a registration form, either from the Town Council offices or the Railway Institute. Only a few details are needed. Then return your completed form to either of those venues.
Secondly if you prefer you can register your group online here.
The next event meeting is on Thursday 8 May at 6:30pm at the Civic Hall. As always, representatives of interested groups who want to take part of have questions are invited to attend.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
