The story of the world’s first passenger railway will be brought to life through dance, compelling narratives and striking visuals during a celebratory picnic this weekend.
Shildon’s Hackworth Park, named after one of the engineers most closely associated with the Stockton and Darlington Railway, will host an Anniversary Picnic to mark 200 years since Locomotion No. 1’s momentous journey on 27th September 1825.
The free event will take place on Saturday 27th September, from 12pm to 4pm, and is part of S&DR200 – a nine-month festival being delivered by Durham County Council, Stockton Borough Council and Darlington Borough Council.
Durham County Council has organised the Anniversary Picnic to bring the community of Shildon together to celebrate the town’s instrumental role in the birth of the modern railway.
Shildon Alive, on Church Street, and Jubilee Fields Community Centre, on Jubilee Road in the town, are also supporting the event by offering free picnics. Vouchers are now available to collect from both organisations and can be exchanged for a free picnic lunch at the event between 12pm and 1pm.
Performances of STEAM, the newly commissioned piece by Southpaw Company, will be among the highlights of the picnic. Blending mass movement, powerful storytelling, and a stunning visual spectacle, STEAM explores the ingenuity and determination of figures such as Timothy Hackworth, George Stephenson and Edward Pease.
There will also be fantastic performances from The Auckland Shanty Singers, Easington Brass Band, Sam Slatcher, and the Railway Institute Singers, as well as vintage funfair rides, craft activities, stalls and entertainment from The Bubble Whisperer and Sense-O-Matic.
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism and high street, said: “County Durham’s railway heritage is something we are incredibly proud of and celebrate throughout the year, including at world- class visitor attractions such as Locomotion and Beamish Museum.
“This year, the eyes of the world will be on Shildon as the town where passengers first boarded Locomotion No. 1 on its historic journey 200 years ago. Shildon is widely considered as the world’s first railway town and so we were keen to bring the local community together to celebrate their shared heritage.
“We hope people of all ages will join in the fun at the picnic. It looks set to be a fantastic afternoon.”
The Anniversary Picnic will feature the performances at the following times:
12pm – The Auckland Shanty Singers
12.30pm – STEAM by Southpaw
1.10pm – Easington Brass Band
1.50pm – Sam Slatcher
2.25pm – Railway Institute Singers
2.50pm – STEAM by Southpaw
3.30pm – Easington Brass Band
The Anniversary Picnic is part of a series of events taking place next weekend as part of S&DR200.
Other highlights include a re-enactment of the first locomotive passenger railway journey, taking place from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 September. This will see a newly restored replica of Locomotion No. 1 run along sections of the original railway line between Shildon, Darlington and Stockton.
Spectators will be able to cheer the train on at designated locations along the route, with viewing points at Locomotion in Shildon and Hopetown in Darlington ticketed to ensure the best possible experience for everyone. To find out more about, visit www.sdr200.co.uk/anniversary-journey.
There will also be many other events taking place in Darlington and Tees Valley across the weekend. To view the full programme, visit www.sdr200.co.uk.
