Steam fans to raise glasses to railway Rev

STEAM enthusiasts will be raising a glass to the Reverend Teddy Boston at the annual Rail Ale Festival in Market Bosworth.

Running from Friday July 22 to Sunday July 24 this year’s event will include a Sunday morning service to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of the Cadeby priest who ran the Cadeby Light Railway and was friends with Thomas the Tank Engine author the Reverend Wilbert Awdry.

Organised by Hinckley and Bosworth branch of Camra - the campaign for real ale - and Market Bosworth’s Battlefield Preserved Railway, the event is billed as a family friendly affair, with steam road engines, vintage vehicles, cycles, a fairground organ and brake van rides, along with steam and diesel trains running between Shackerstone, Market Bosworth and Shenton.

Among those attending will be the Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Councillor Richard Allen.

The festival is held in the Goods Shed on Station Road and will offer 70 real ales, plus ciders, perries and fruit wines, as well as a Pimm’s bar.

Dr Busker and his band will perform on Friday and Saturday evenings with morris dancers on Sunday. Bars will open from 11am to 11pm on Friday and Saturday and from 11am to 6pm on Sunday.

A free minibus service will be operating between the festival site and Hinckley but must be booked.

Free parking is available at Market Bosworth and Shackerstone stations and camping and caravanning is available on site.

A range of soft drinks and hot and cold food will be for sale. Admission costs £5 per person on Saturday and Sunday and £1 before 6pm on Friday, with free entry at all times for Camra members.