If you ride down on the train today, you’re in for a big surprise, If you ride down on the train today, you will not believe your eyes, For every child under sixteen, who brings a teddy travels for free Because today’s the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic. Every Teddy Bear who's been good, will ride the train today, there’s lots of marvellous things to eat, and wonderful games to play Brendan the Bear will wave hello, lots of fun till time to go Cause that's the way the Teddy Bears have their picnic. On Sunday the 28th August, treat teddy to a picturesque steam train ride and a picnic within the beautiful gardens of Rushen Abbey for the return of the Teddy Bears Picnic! The Abbey grounds will be full of entertainments and activities such as face painters, a mega slide, obstacle course, bouncy castle, rodeo bull simulators, kids and adult sumo and giant jenga. Brendan the Bear will of course be back to meet the bears, lucky enough to have been brought along for the picnic by their loving owners. Children taking their teddy bear on any steam train service that day will travel free of charge, under 5’s travel for free and one child travels free with every full fare paying adult! A vintage double decker bus will greet passengers at Ballasalla for transport to Rushen Abbey. Once there, teddies bring their owners into the Abbey for half price, standard adult admission is ?4. ACE Card holders, Friends of MNH and under 5’s go free. You can pack your own special buffet picnic box’s at The Tickethall before you depart, or you can pre-order a hamper or picnic box from the Abbey Restaurant. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own picnics into the grounds. Ice cream, pop corn and candy floss will all be available. To help accommodate the popularity of this event, Isle of Man Steam Railway will be putting on additional trains and running an hourly service, departing Douglas station at: 09:50, 10:50, 11:50, 12:50, 13:50, 14:50, 15:50 and 17:30. Hon David Cretney, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure commented: “Last year was the launch of the Railways Teddy Bears Picnic, it was a great success and one of the busiest days on the steam railway. The increased, hourly service to Ballasalla will help ensure that no teddy is left behind and all can enjoy one of the Island’s most beautiful heritage sites, Rushen Abbey, before a picturesque journey home on the steam railway.” The picnic will be open from 10am to 6pm More details and train times available at www.iombusandrail.info ENDS