A big weekend ahead

There’s a huge weekend of entertainment and activities ahead for Welshpool with the Transport Festival returning to the town centre.

There’s plenty on across the town until 5pm, Saturday and 2pm, Sunday, with one of the highlights of the weekend being three flyovers by the Spitfire from 3.10pm on Saturday.

But the organisers, Welshpool Town Council, have apologised for the quality of the Welsh translation of its signage which a spokesperson described as “not quite right and we’re sorry, but we’ll get it right next year”.

Looking ahead it promises to be a fun weekend with decent weather predicted and huge crowds anticipated with most events free of charge.

Over both days the town will be full of classic and vintage vehicles, with two processions through the town at 11am and 3pm on Saturday, starting from the County Council offices which will then be stationary at Church Street Car Park.

At the Town Wharf, there will be a chance to get involved with the water based activities, with events such as canoeing and coracle taster sessions on Saturday (10am-5pm) and paddle boarding taster sessions on Sunday (10am-2pm).

For anyone willing to have a go there will be a free coracle relay race at 2pm with no experience required! Also, free hourly narrowboat trips will be available on both days thanks to the Heulwen Trust, as well as the opportunity to enjoy a horse-drawn boat trip along the canal at just £2 per person.

Horse and carriage rides will be making free leisurely trips from Park Lane gates up to Powis Castle grounds on Saturday. Tickets will be available however this will be on a first come first serve basis.

Between Welshpool Raven Square Station and Llanfair Caereinion Station over the weekend there will be regular steam train trips, steam vehicle displays, a railway museum and the Citroen Motor Club will be making an appearance at Raven Square Station on Sunday. There is also a ride-on 15-inch steam train at Raven Square.

More vehicle displays can be found at the Corn Exchange and the Methodist Church on both days, which will include a number of interesting and informative exhibitions, stalls and stands, as well as screenings of transport films and photographic displays.

For more of an adrenaline rush, on Sunday at Maesydre there will be a selection of events from husky racing to an exciting cycle display from the experienced Savage Skills Bike Stunt Team. For the younger audience, there will be an opportunity to show off their skills in a ‘Skate, BMX and Scooter’ competition at the Skate Park at 12pm-3pm (£1 entry for all categories).

Berriew Street Car Park will be home to fairground activities on Saturday including rides, go karting and bouncy castles to ensure that the whole family have a fun day out.

Other events over the weekend include a fundraising concert put together by Music for the Monty at 8pm in Welshpool Town Hall, in order to help towards the restoration of the Montgomery Canal. Tickets are £8 in advance or £10 on the door. Buskers will also be playing throughout the town.

There will be programme to purchase for £1 which includes all of the activities over the weekend.

There is a free park and ride operating on Saturday to and from the Welshpool Livestock Market and the Tourist Information Centre. There will be limited car parking within the town centre.

Finally, there will be a free ‘hop on and hop off’ classic bus service starting from the Tourist Information Centre calling at the County Council offices, Town Hall, Raven Square Station and Welshpool Library before turning back to the Tourist Information Centre.