Aston Martins in drive back to iconic brand's lost west Leeds factory

PRESTIGE sports car brand Aston Martin's historic links to a west Leeds village will once again be celebrated next month.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Aug 2016, 00:06 GMT
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 17:59 GMT
Barrie Williams at the wheel of an Aston Martin DBR4 Formula One racing car at the September 2015 celebration event in FarsleyBarrie Williams at the wheel of an Aston Martin DBR4 Formula One racing car at the September 2015 celebration event in Farsley
Barrie Williams at the wheel of an Aston Martin DBR4 Formula One racing car at the September 2015 celebration event in Farsley

Dozens of members of the Aston Martin Owners Club are set to drive their beloved cars to the village of Farsley near Pudsey for the celebration day on Saturday September 10.

It will be third annual event to be held in Farsley, where the old Aston Martin Newlands Works factory one stood in the 1950s.

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The factory was owned by Huddersfield-born David Brown. The iconic Aston Martin DB series - immortalised when a DB5 featured in 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger - take their name from Brown’s initials.

The old Aston Martin Newlands Works factory at FarsleyThe old Aston Martin Newlands Works factory at Farsley
The old Aston Martin Newlands Works factory at Farsley

Last September David Brown’s grandson Adam Brown unveiled a stone plinth in Westroyd Park off Parkside Road in Farsley to mark the site of the former Newlands Works where the original DB2/4 MKII and MKIII models were built.

Four men who worked as apprentices at the factory in the 1950s are expected to attend the unveiling of a new plaque celebrating Farsley’s links to Aston Martin Ahead of this year’s celebrations.

The plaque will be unveiled at the junction of Leeds Ring Road and Calverley Lane at 10am on Saturday September 3.

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More than 30 Aston Martins from across the decades are expected to be in the car park at Farsley Celtic Football Club for 9.30am on Saturday September 10.

The old Aston Martin Newlands Works factory at FarsleyThe old Aston Martin Newlands Works factory at Farsley
The old Aston Martin Newlands Works factory at Farsley

There will be a parade of the cars starting at 10am on Farsley Town Street and moving on to Sunny Bank Mills, where the cars will be parked up to view from 10.30am to around 1pm.

Event organiser Coun Rod Wood (Cons/Calverley and Farsley), said: “There will be 30 plus Astons of all ages. I think we are going to get two of the original Farsley DB2 cars at the event, which is just getting bigger and bigger.”

– More than 20,000 people are expected to flock to the grounds of Harewood House in Leeds for this weekend’s 12th VW Festival.

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The popular event on Saturday August 13 and Sunday 14 will have a circus theme this year and attractions include a giant BMX display and visitor training sessions.

There will be vehicle displays, trade and market stands, live music, live entertainment and food stalls.

For more information about the event, go to www.vwfestival.co.uk

Related topics:LeedsAdam BrownDavid Brown