2nd July 2014
We had a terrific Festival last weekend. Over 6000 people enjoyed a great couple of days.
We will try to give you a flavour of what went on.
It started with Cllr Joan Dixon cutting the ribbon to officially open Constitution Hill Bridge to shipping.
Saturday was a bit grey and overcast when we opened.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield visited our promotional trailer. (Photo © John Lower)
Some of our tripboats were being stalked by geese …..
….. whilst others were chased by model boats …..
….. from the Sheffield Ship Model Society.
There was lots for children to do, including driving a mini-digger with the Waterway Recovery Group.
We are very grateful to Hewden for lending us the digger.
(Photo © John Lower)
Carlo the Clown was entertaining the youngsters. (Photo © John Lower)
As ever, we had lots of colourful stalls.
(Photos above and below right © John Lower)
We had some flying displays by Andy’s Birds of Prey (Photo © John Lower) …..
….. but the Harris Hawk just wanted an Ice Cream.
Entertainment included Feet First
Woodhouse Prize Band
Barrelhouse Uke (© John Lower)
Keeper’s Lock
Nottingham Tribal Belly Dance
Black Pig Border Morris
New Orleans Strollers
Our Saturday night concert featured the New Rope String Band.
We had a Routemaster bus and a minibus with a tail-lift running free shuttle rides to Barrow Hill Roundhouse Open Days. (Photo © John Lower)
There was a presentation to Martin Bloomfield – long time Secretary of the Trust – who is moving to Scotland. (Photo © John Lower)
The Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service brought their Water Rescue Team. (Photo © John Lower)
On Sunday, we were a part of Radio Sheffield’s Clueless and Kat went on the zipwire.
Whilst all this was going on, our Volunteer Work Party continued working on Staveley Town Lock.
To see an amazing video made by Rise-Above-It, click here. Please note that this was shot very early on Saturday morning, so there are not many folk about.
For the Derbyshire Times report and slideshow, click here.
Below are some behind the scenes shots.
Eckington School’s boat Madeline was put into the water for the first time.
Kano arrives. (Photo by Bob Breese)
The Entertainment Marquee being set up.
The lock and basin from the air. (Photo courtesy of Rise Above It)
The Events Field from the air. (Photo courtesy of Rise Above It)
The Work Party’s dumper trucks were proudly on display.
An eel found by the Work Party in the lock.
Our neighbour seems disinterested in the boats being craned out.
The boats leaving the basin signalling the end of another Festival.
We must end by thanking the 100+ volunteers who made this wonderful event possible.