Downham Market Heritage Centre searching for old fire appliance for display

The organisers of a heritage open day are hoping the public can help them trace some vintage nostalgia.

Discover Downham is taking part in Downham’s Heritage Open Day on Sunday, September 21 and would like to find a vintage fire engine or appliance to have on display for the event.

The Priory Road centre was the town’s former fire station and the organisers believe having an appliance on display would be a fitting reference to its former use.

If you can help with the search for a vintage fire engine/appliance, email: info@discoverdownham.org.uk or call 01366 384428.

This will be the first town-wide heritage open day and volunteers have been working hard to organise events and attractions.

Events for the day have been added to the heritage centre’s website and can be viewed at www.discoverdownham.org.uk

The free day will see properties not normally open to the public opening their doors from 10am to 4pm offering people the opportunity to explore the town’s wonderful heritage with its wide array of carrstone buildings making it known as the Gingerbread Town.

Attractions will include art and photographic exhibitions, re-enactments on the Howdale, vintage agricultural vehicles on display on the Market Square and classic and vintage vehicles of all kinds on the Howdale.

There will also be free vintage coach/bus rides to take residents and visitors between venues, town walks, activities for children, decorated post box toppers, traditional crafts, past and present photographs of Downham, music and dance.

There has been an initial grant of £2,000 from Love Your Town through the Community Foundation Fund towards the cost of staging the event along with input from Discover Downham, the town council and great support from sponsors.

Volunteer Shirley Goodbody said: “Without the generous support and sponsorship of the local community this event would not be possible and that is really heartening to the volunteers at Discover Downham. So a big thank you.”

If you would like to get involved by volunteering on the day or as a sponsor, email: info@discoverdownham.org.uk