Winston Churchill train almost ready for display in York

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A restored locomotive that pulled Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral train and its carriages are being restored for the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston’s funeral on 30 January.

The 34051 Winston Churchill, along with the Southern Railway’s parcel van S2464S, which carried the coffin, transported the former Prime Minister from Waterloo in central London to his final resting place in Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire.

The carriage is being restored in Shildon, County Durham, having been loaned to the National Railway Museum by the Swanage Railway Trust in Dorset.

The train will go on display in the Great Hall of the National Railway Museum in York as part of its Churchill’s Final Journey exhibition.

Mid-Hants Railway chairman Colin Chambers said: “All that remains is some additional varnish applied by our team of painters. It is planned to be on its way to York by mid-January.”

Sir Winston was laid to rest in the parish churchyard of Bladon, close to Blenheim Palace where he was born 89 years earlier.

Christmas cheer with the Lord Mayor tomorrow

Mansion House at Christmas

Mansion House at Christmas

The Civic Party are hosting their annual Christmas Cheer Receptions this week, marking the start of the festive season for many.

The receptions, which are taking place at the Assembly Rooms on Wednesday 3 December from 10am, are for 400 elderly residents, aged over 65, who have been invited to join the Lord Mayor and Civic Party for some festive fun and entertainment.

Guests will be treated to morning and afternoon tea, and will be entertained by local school children, and also the gentlemen of the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir.

The event has been funded once again through the generosity of local businesses, who have provided the much needed funds to allow the Lord Mayor to stage the event.
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York’s St. Nicholas Fair opens

York’s eagerly awaited St Nicholas Fair launched today (Thursday 27 November) with the award for The Best Dressed Stand going to Paula Snowdon from Millies Designs. St-Nicholas-Fayre

Paula, who can usually be found in Shambles Market on Saturdays and Sundays, is launching a new range of high quality decorations and shabby chic gifts at the Fair.

The Christmas Fair, part of York St Nicolas Christmas Festival, opens on Parliament Street and continues for over 3 weeks until Sunday 21 December. This year over 60 winter-white chalets, selling a huge variety of different produce, crafts, gifts and Christmassy decorations, will open every day from 9am to 6pm. Late night shopping will be available on Thursdays until 8pm.

 
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