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Crich Celebrates 150 Not Out!

Crich Tramway Village, Derbyshire’s award-winning family attraction is celebrating the 150th anniversary of trams in Britain this year with a fun-filled bank holiday event on Monday 31st May, including a vintage steam fairground and rides on a horse drawn tram.

In 1860, the tram was introduced to Britain from America by George Francis Train who opened his first tramway in Birkenhead. Train was an eccentric figure who once stood for US President and was the inspiration for Jules Verne's Phineas Fogg. Since then tramways went on to change the face of British towns and cities forever by allowing people to move from the congested city centres out into the new suburbs. From this beginning, tramways became a staple part of the cityscape from the 1870s to the 1920s, now that electricity had taken over it was faster, cleaner and more efficient than anything else on the road at that time. The tram eventually succumbed to the motorbus with only Blackpool and the Isle of Man retaining their faith in trams since 1962.

Commenting on the event Andrew Willis, Board member responsible for marketing said “This is a really important milestone in British history which we are proud to be celebrating here at Crich Tramway Village and the Bank Holiday Weekend really will be a fantastic opportunity for families to see what we have to offer and join in the celebrations.”

Bank Holiday Monday 31 May will feature a host of family entertainment including a unique parade of trams through the ages, rides on the nineteenth century horse tram, a brass band playing on the bandstand, a vintage steam fairground throughout the weekend, music from all decades of the last 150 years, and a chance to see the brand new ‘Century of Trams’ exhibition.

Sunday 30th May will play host to the Enthusiasts’ Tram Event making a complete weekend of tramway celebration and during the following half term week children will be able to join in a variety of fun craft activities.

Crich Tramway Village is open daily until 31st October 2010. It is situated near Matlock, Derbyshire, eight miles from M1 junction 28. Admission prices*: Adult £10.50. Senior £9.50. Child (4-15) £.5.50. Family (2 adults, 3 children) £29.50 Information line 01773 854321 www.tramway.co.uk.
* A higher charge applies on Premier Event days.
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