The Kent County Agricultural Society is expecting another successful Heritage Trformeransport Show on 31 March 2012. Last year saw the second Heritage Day, which attracted a record number of visitors when it partnered with the Maidstone & District 100th anniversary celebrations.

The enthusiastic Heritage Committee and the organizers of M&D100 are now planning the 2012 event, which will feature ‘M&D and EK 60’. The M&D and East Kent Bus Club will celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with special displays of their majestic fleets. Last year saw huge numbers of bus enthusiasts visiting the Show to watch the ‘Parade of Buses’, the magnificent display in the Clive Emson Building and to talk to the current owners who spent decades restoring them to their former glory.

One of the highlights for visitors is a free bus journey around the Kent Showground site. Organisers will offer a variety of vintage and veteran buses for this coming event, allowing passengers the chance to alight at a number of special bus stops around the site and reminisce about journeys from their youth or share the experience with new generations. The Committee also hope to offer longer rides for passengers along the A249 just outside the Kent Showground. The event on 31 March will be promoted by Kelsey Publishing that currently produces a large number of specialist monthly vehicle titles. Lambert and Foster will conduct an auction during the show in association with Kelsey.

Details of the auction lots will be available from both Lambert & Foster and Kelsey Publishing prior to the sale. A number of tractors, commercial vehicles and cars will be available as well as other associated memorabilia. The auction preview will start at 9am. Bernard Pike, Committee Chair explained, “The Heritage Transport Show and Auction is an excellent day out for visitors; so many people have a passion for old cars, buses, commercial vehicles and agricultural machinery. We have a wonderful Committee that believes that the historical significance of transport is something that should be passed on to the next generation”. He continued, “We have hundreds of exhibitors who bring vehicles and visitors are able to talk to the owners and get a real understanding of the work involved in lovingly restoring them”.

In addition to the bus Diamond Jubilee, the MGB Roadster and Massey Ferguson 35X will be celebrating their 50th anniversaries and AEC (buses and commercial vehicles) will be celebrating 100 years, all with special displays. Advance tickets will be available to purchase online at the showground’s website: www.kentshowground.co.uk or by telephone on 01622 630975 (£1.50 booking fee per transaction applicable). Advance tickets are priced at £5 per person, children under 12 go free.

Gate prices are £7.50 per person and under 12s are free. Gates are open from 10am-4pm. For more information, or to enter a vehicle, please contact Lucy Hegarty at the Kent Showground on 01622 630975 or follow us on facebook – Kent County Show or Twitter – kentcountyshow.