This week we introduce the first in a 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.
We’re now well into this celebratory year of the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, an event that gave our town global significance, and the official SDR200 Festival’s opening event, entitled All Change, is imminent.
Closer to home here in Shildon, though, progress on our own ‘people’s celebration’ has been making great progress. If you haven’t seen anything about it yet, the intention is to hold a community organised Little Street Cavalcade parade on the morning of Saturday 2 August 2025.
This will progress along our main shopping street, past the statue of Timothy Hackworth and war memorial then down Central Parade and into the park. Once at the park there is going to be a huge fun event with music, rides, stalls, vehicles and a miniature train ride.
Inspired by past celebrations where the townsfolk have come together to make a memorable occasion, this will be Shildon’s day to celebrate who we are, and the importance of Shildon’s people to that remarkable railway story in years gone by.
Chair of the community parade planning committee, Dave Reynolds, told us “it’s no secret that deep down we’d all have loved a 1975 style proper railway steam Cavalcade right here in Shildon this year, but without the works site to host that it’s only a dream.
“But in that same year, Shildon folk has a much remembered parade that we’re still talking about today. Now that is something we can do, and with the event in the park to march toward it will be extra special.”
The community parade committee have been meeting on the second Thursday of each month at 6.30pm at the Civic Hall, with officers from the Town Council who have most generously agreed to provide resources, facilities and manage the road closure as well as co-ordinating the fun day.
These meetings have helped to shape the idea for the parade, put in place the details to enable an application for road closure and connecting with bands to provide music for the parade. Now the committee want to connect with more community groups and even businesses here who would like to take part to make this a truly memorable parade of all that is great about Shildon.
Dave expressed something of the committee’s hopes for this ‘people powered’ event. “This will be a day that folks will still be talking about and looking at photographs of in fifty or a hundred years time.
“Yes, we want to have a really great celebration, but we also want to show those people in the future just what Shildon is all about right here and now in 2025 and that we haven’t lost that innovative and enterprising spirit that has always lived here. This is a place that gets under your skin, and won’t be taken down however much you try to overlook us.
“We’ve already signed up bands, we’re planning banner- and flag-making workshops, there will be a convoy of interesting vehicles, and we’re working on ensuring there will be steam, plus we’ve got a good few of the key community groups on board. Now is the time for your group to sign up and join in.”
There are two ways you can register your group or business to take part in the parade. 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. The Railway Institute is hosting a page with details of the Little Street Cavalcade – which also has a link to a registration form. You can find it by clicking here.
The next event meeting is on Thursday 10 April at 6.30pm at the Civic Hall. Representatives of interested groups who want to take part or have questions are invited to attend.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
