Hear the Incredible Story of Zdenka Fantlová at the Kent & East Sussex Railway

This May Bank Holiday (Saturday 2^nd May – Monday 4^th May), the Kent & East Sussex Railway in Tenterden will be recapturing the unique atmosphere of the 1940s, as you are invited to hear the incredible story of Zdenka Fantlová.

The Railway has a unique programme of events, to mark 70 years since the end of WWII and 75 years since railways played a vital role in transporting thousands of troops through Kent, following the evacuation of Dunkirk. One of the special events will be an opportunity to listen to Zdenka Fantlová on Sunday 3^rd May at Tenterden Station.

Zdenka told her amazing and moving story on a recent episodes BBC’s Antiques Roadshow Detectives, speaking of how she survived six death camps including the notorious Nazi death camps Auschwitz and Belsen. Fiona Bruce said, “Zedenka Fantlová and her story made a lasting impression. She survived six concentration camps, endured horrors the like of which most of us can’t being to comprehend, yet never lost the will to live or her optimism for a better future. During her time in the camps she kept a little tin ring, made for her by her boyfriend. She risked her life to keep this humble object that meant so much to her. Her boyfriend did not survive the camps. But Zdenka’s love for him and the tin ring did.” Zdenka will also be signing copies of her book on Sunday which is a remarkable memoir of love and survival in the Holocaust.

On the Bank Holiday Monday, there will be a Spitfire display along the whole 10 ½ mile line. As well as this, each day will feature music, fashion and dancing of the 1940 era, as well as re-enactments.

History enthusiasts will not only be able to browse a range of civilian and military vehicles, all of which are privately owned and fully restored to their former wartime glory but there will also be an opportunity to look inside a recreated World War II Air Raid Anderson Shelter.

There will be a chance for visitors to walk through a 1940s village scene in Bodiam Station, and watch presentations throughout the day. There are also three bands performing on each of the days: The Kent Police Band will be performing on the Saturday, the East Peckham Silver Band on the Sunday and Steve Erickson on the Monday. Utility Jude, who represents the Ministry of Food, will give wartime cooking demonstrations which will incorporate a Children’s VE Party theme.

All weekend, the steam trains will be operating with four or more locomotives in steam each day. Tickets include unlimited train travel between Tenterden and Bodiam stations.

The Cavell Van, which was featured in Michael Portillo’s series about the Railways of the Great War on BBC 2, will also be on display. The restored Cavell Van is famous for carrying the coffin of Nurse Edith Cavell and Captain Charles Fryatt in 1919 and the unknown warrior in 1920.

The station refreshment rooms at Tenterden Station will be open for breakfast from 10:00am and the gift shop will be open throughout the weekend.

Admission: Adult: £17, Child (3-15 years inc.) £11.50 and Family (2 adults & up to 3 children or 1 adult and up to 4 children): £49.50. Please see the timetable on the website for times of steam train operation.

For more details telephone 01580 765155, visit www.kesr.org.uk or email [email protected]. 

For interviews or more information contact Caroline Edmunds at Pennington PR on 01892 616647 e-mail [email protected].