Gala's head of steam - despite missing locomotive

Wealden Line Campaigners held the gala in Uckfield to commemorate 150 years since Parliament passed an Act to allow a railway line from Lewes to Uckfield.

The group has been working hard to try and reinstate the line and the gala was to raise awareness of their fight.

A Battle of Britain Class Tangmere was scheduled to stop at the station, making it the first steam engine to do so in 40 years.

But the cancellation of the Sussex Belle tour meant the locomotive missed out on the town's gala.

Despite this, organiser Duncan Bennett said the day was a great success.

He said: 'With a day and a half to run we found out our visit had been postponed until October 27.

'But this wasn't the be all and end all on the day, it probably would have been the icing on the cake but it was not the cake itself.'

The cake did include some live music from local bands, Tortishead and Trace Walton, stands and stalls from local organisations and exhibitions from many different rail organisations.

National organisation, Passenger Focus, sent a representative along and Network Rail safety campaigners ran a display highlighting the dangers of the railway.

The day was also attended by representatives from the Lavender Line and the Bluebell Railway.

Duncan added: 'The profile of the campaign is growing all the time.'

For more information about the campaign visit

http://home.clara.net/wealdenline/