Congleton Fire Station Open Day

Congleton Fire Station Open Day
West Street, Congleton
31 August, 11:00 - 4:00 pm


Congleton Fire Station have their open day - a little late in the season, but very welcome.  The other fire stations in Cheshire are also having their open days over the next few weeks - the list is here.

There are a number of displays and activities:  Fire Appliances on display (always good!); line Rescue display; Cheshire Search & Rescue Team; Cheshire Police Pimped Panda & THINK Car (even better!);     Chip Pan Display - scary but well worth watching; Hydraulic Platform; face painting and bouncy castle.

Congleton is about 25-30 minutes drive from Stoke, but if you've nothing else planned, well worth it!

Time Table of events

All day children's arts and crafts

11:30 Chip Pan Demonstration
12:00 Fire Cadet Demonstration
13:00 Chip Pan Demonstration
14:00 RTC Demonstration
15:00 Height Safety Demonstration
15:30 Chip Pan Demonstration
16:00 Close

Foxfield Railway - European Car Rally

Foxfield Railway Car Rally

Foxfield Railway, Caverswall Road, Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire, ST11 9BG

Sunday 8 September, but no opening times given

If the Stoke City motor show is a bit modern for you and your family, this may suit you better.

Foxfield Railway, Caverswall Road, Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire, ST11 9BG - See more at: http://www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk/findus.php#sthash.XJSEgCCJ.dpuf

The preview of last year's car rally shows that entry was free, but that may be because it was part of the Heritage Open Days.  I can't find admission prices anywhere, and they may just charge if you want to go on a train ride.  Mostly European cars - likely to be less busy than the Stoke City show, and a bit further from Stoke.  You're also likely (if not certain) to see some steam trains, which you won't get at the Britannia Stadium.

Burslem Park Open Day

Burslem Park Open Day (part of the Heritage Open Days series)

Saturday 14 September, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Burslem Park underwent some serious renovation and repair, including work to the bandstand, which was completed in May 2012.  This is a celebration of the completed and settled improvements, with various activities (and lots of open space and a park for the children to play in).  There's lots of art, greenery, sports and play facilities to enjoy, including: our restored Victorian terrace garden and ornamental fountains; restored buildings and terracotta period detail 'Pulhamite' rockery - a Victorian 'must have' feature.

There's also a decorative lake and fountain to walk around, a rockery cascade; an heritage mosaic designed by artist Rob Turner especially for the park, and a new 'Mayfly' sculpture by artists Andy Edwards and Philip Hardaker, featuring ceramic details by students from three local schools.

Most importantly, though, in addition to the playing areas, are children's craft activities.

Free entry.

Fireworks at Trentham Gardens

Fireworks at Trentham Gardens

Friday 1 November, 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm

I'm fairly sure that this will be a tickets-only display.  I'm also fairly sure that the fireworks will be massive, and probably viewable from the car park, or the pub round the corner.  I'll add more fireworks displays when I find them, but this is likely to be a big display.

If you want to pay to go in, then the bonus is that children under 5 are free.

Adult / Concession / Child (5-15 years)     £6.50     £8.00 on the day

Annual Ticket Holder*
Adult / Concession / Child (5-15 years)     £5.50     £8.00 on the day

Rotary Member (and family)*
Adult / Concession / Child (5-15 years)     £5.50     £8.00 on the day

Cycling Tour Of Britain

Cycling Tour of Britain
Hanley City Centre
Wednesday 18 September, 10:00 start (lots to see beforehand)

Tour of Britain website - Stage 4 - Stoke to Llanberis

The cycling Tour of Britain will be starting one of its stages from Stoke-on-Trent again this year; last year it set off from Trentham Gardens, this year it'll be from Hanley city centre.  The best map of the route that I've seen is here: Tour route around Stoke.

There are plenty of things to see at the start - the whole vehicle and police motorbike convoy, for example, and there often freebies to pick up - hats, stickers, flags and so on.  Be warned, though - when the cycling starts, it'll be a case of blink and you'll miss it.

Full details of the route here:  Stoke Council Website

Etruria Mill in Steam

Mill 'in steam' - Heritage Open Day

14-15 September, 1:00pm - 4:30 pm
Etruria Industrial Museum
Lower Bedford Street, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7AF

Come along and see Jesse Shirley's Etruscan Bone and Flint Mill in action powered by the mighty 1820s Steam Powered Beam Engine 'Princess'. Experience the sights and sounds of Victorian engineering in the heart of the Potteries. There are "steamings" every hour on the hour, where they connect the furnace to the engine and make it run. Noisy, and interesting, for young people and older people too.

Located next to the canal (which makes for a pleasant walk) so you'll see plenty of barges moving along.  There's a good visitor centre, which often has child-friendly activities - colouring, craft and so on.

Other events take place during the weekends and through the year. See www.friendsofetruriamuseum.org.uk for more details.

Lancaster Flypast, Potteries Musem and Art Gallery

Lancaster Flypast, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery

Saturday 14 September, 3:30 pm

Watch a flypast by the Lancaster Bomber from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and take a look at the city's Spitfire housed within the museum.

There will also be a collection of World War 2 military vehicles from North Staffordshire Military Vehicle Trust and a range of models from local modelling clubs. The event will also include 1940's singing and craft activities. Part of the "Heritage Open Days" series.

Free to attend; I went to one in 2012 which featured a Spitfire flypast - highly recommended.  The Spitfire completely two flypasts over the museum before departing.

Bethesda Street, City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 3DW
 

Lower Drayton Farm Transport Fayre

Lower Drayton Farm Transport Fayre
7-8 September, 9:00 am - 11:30 pm
Lower Drayton Farm, near Penkridge (near Stafford)

Organiser website
Event website

Although this is mostly a transport show featuring hundreds of classic, vintage, modern and modified cars, there's quite a wide range of vehicles, as well as other activities.

There will be commercial vehicles; motorbikes; military vehicles; fire engines, steam engines and much more.
Other entertainment includes a funfair, bouncing castles, tractor pulling, firework display, evening entertainment, licensed beer tent, trade stalls, autojumble, arena events, and aero engines displays.

ALSO worth mentioning is an appearance by the 501st UK Garrison, who do Star Wars characters such as Stormtroopers and Darth Vader... I'm  not sure what will be there, and I can't get any details, but they will be attending on both days.

There's some confusion over the pricing for children; one site says £2.50 and another says children under 12 are free - I'm sorry I can't confirm either way.

Stoke City FC Big Motor Show

Big Motor Show at Britannia Stadium

Saturday and Sunday 7-8 September – 10-4

Car enthusiasts are in for a treat in September when the Britannia Stadium Big Motor Show takes place for the first time.  There will be car dealers from across the region will be heading to the home of Stoke City for the free event on September 7 and 8 that promises to be fun for all the family.  There should be freebies (stickers, leaflets, badges... all the usual stuff).  Staffordshire police will also be attending, so that should mean a police car or two to look at.

As well as new and used cars, caravans and motorcycles will also be on display. There will also be a fun fair, live entertainment, Carlsberg beer tent, food court and demonstration areas for visitors to get behind the wheel and take a test drive - perhaps not ideal for younger family members :-)

The Britannia Stadium is easily accessible from the A500 and A50.  The show is on Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 - 4:00.  Free entry and parking (for 1,000 cars).

National Space Centre: Return of the Garrison

National Space Centre: Return of the Garrison

21-22 September 10:00-5:00

This is great for Star Wars and sci-fi fans, with large numbers of stormtroopers walking around and entertaining the crowds.  The UK division of the 501st Garrison is a Star Wars costuming group (club?) who produce some great Star Wars costumes, and have always produced a great turn-out at the Leicester Space Centre.

This event isn't free, and isn't really local to Stoke-on-Trent, but I'm including it because it's a great day's entertainment.  You get access to the Space Centre, which has a planetarium and a show; a cafe, shop, and a small play area for younger children.  Previously, there have been outdoor picnic tables, but I think the centre took these away when they realised that people could enjoy the characters and costumes without going in (and paying).  However, the cafe is well-priced, or you can take a packed lunch (or do a combination of the two).