Kentish Express Ashford & District
Sad day as festival bows out in the rain
After 25 years, hundreds of vehicles and thousands of visitors, the Hamstreet Festival of Transport has held its last show.
Classic cars, farm vehicles and commercial transport lined the Marsh Road field on Sunday but sadly, the last festival was a bit of a washout.
Mike Wady, Hamstreet resident and festival organiser, said: “It was pretty wet. Half the vehicles didn’t turn up because of the weather but those who braved it were brilliant and stayed till the end.
“Unfortunately the number of people coming through the gates was down about 90% and we really made a loss.”
Mr Wady said the organisers were “getting too old” to continue running the show and were hoping some young people would take over.
He added: “We have a workforce in the region of 30 people and we are all in our 70s so this was the last show, this was retirement.
“We did advertise for new, younger help but no one came forward.
“We are really sad that it is coming to an end. I’ve spent 25% of my life doing this, you see it grow from nothing to the size it became.
“Everyone is a little bit gutted about it. It’s a shame that it went out on a low because everybody put their all into it.
“Obviously you can’t do anything about the weather but it just leaves a sore feeling when it’s the last one.”
Over the years, the festival has raised more than £250,000 for a sports hall in Hamstreet and £15,000 for local charities.
Mr Wady said: “I’d like to say a huge thanks to all the staff who have helped over the years. Without them it would not have grown to what it is today.”
If you’d like to speak to the organisers about taking over the event, search for Hamstreet Festival of Transport on Facebook or contact Mr Wady on 07788822921