The event began with a grand parade down the Old Colliery Road: schoolchildren, local residents, dancers from the Sandra Welsh School of Dance and the New Brancepeth Revellers Jazz Band all followed a giant time-travelling turtle carrying a visitor from Willington’s history – Mary, Queen of Scots!

Afternoon activities included performances and entertainment, a heritage treasure trail through the town, a rolling film show in the Town Council offices screening archive film footage from the local area, a historic postcard activity – and lots more besides.