100 Years of Trains at Tenterden
The sun was shining, the pavement was thronged with crowds waving Union flags and a steam engine chugged its way slowly down Tenterden High Street, followed by a procession of the great and good of Ashford borough.
Tenterden station’s centenary celebrations on Sunday 16th March were a taste of rural England at its best. As the crowds moved from the High Street to the historic station, a vista of green and pleasant land unfolded before them.
Not a cloud was in the sky and anyone who closed their eyes and inhaled the sooty smell of steam and engine smoke could easily imagined themselves 100 years back in time.
Today the railway is run as a charity and staffed by volunteers, it is still at the very heart of Tenterden and is a major tourist attraction.
Celebrations kicked off at midday with the procession of town councillors, town crier and steam engines. The day’s opening ceremony, a re-enactment of the opening ceremony from 100 years ago was followed by many hours of train rides all to the accompaniment of the Cranbrook Town Band who kept the waiting passengers entertained.