Maghull Hornby Festival (May 2013)
Maghull Hornby Festival (A Victorian Extravaganza) is a five-day festival organised by the Frank Hornby Charitable Trust, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Frank Hornby's birth in May 2013.
The festival lasts for five days, starting on Wednesday May 15th (Frank Hornby's official birthday) and ending on Sunday 19th May 2013.
The Frank Hornby Charitable Trust
The Trust has a strong focus on the community of Maghull. Hornby spent most of his life in Maghull, with his family having two houses there, as well as others for his sons. His first house, "The Hollies" (close to the station) was the first house outside of London to get a Blue Plaque.
The Trust has a collection of artefacts relating to the lives of Frank Hornby and his family. Its collection at the Frank Hornby Heritage Centre includes Meccano Ltd products, but focuses more on the personal and local aspects of Hornby's life.
Planned Festival activities (provisional, and possibly to be expanded)
- A launch at Maghull Town Hall
- Shows put on by three secondary schools
- Old Time Music Hall produced by the local operatic society
- A performance by Maghull Wind Orchestra
- A Hornby themed quiz night at the "Frank Hornby" Wetherspoons pub in the town.
- An art competition and exhibition by the local art group
- Heritage walks between the station and the Heritage Centre passing both his and his son's houses as well as other notable buildings he was associated with.
- A model exhibition
- A Victorian Fayre alongside the town hall featuring as many of the community as can be accommodated
- A Black Tie dinner on the Saturday
- A service of thanksgiving for Frank at St Andrew's Church where he was a sidesman and benefactor, and where the family grave is situated
The Festival is backed by the local Town Council, local businesses and the County Borough, and is expected to involve many of the local voluntary groups.
