Chesterfield Canal Festival
THE organisers of the this year's Chesterfield Canal Festival tell us it looks like being the best yet, with lots of things to see and do, including boat trips, with the added attraction of Steam Train rides at Barrow Hill.
The Festival will be held at Staveley Town Basin on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th June from 10am to 5pm. Admission is £3, free for Under 12s.
All day entertainment
At the Festival there will be three trip boats in operation. There will be entertainment all day both in the entertainment marquee and outside as well. There will be eight different bands, four dance troupes and a choir. The Babbling Vagabonds will be storytelling all round the site on Saturday.
Other attractions will include canoeing, zorbing (pictured) a miniature train ride and the Raptor Foundation flying Birds of Prey. Add in children's rides (including bungee trampolines), a huge range of stalls, seven different caterers plus a Real Ale bar.
HS2
In addition, the Chesterfield Canal Development Manager will explain the next phases of restoration and hold Question and Answer sessions. Doubtless the effect of HS2 will be at the top of the list.
On the Sunday, there will be a Fun Dog Show, run by A&S Dog Training. On the Saturday night, there will be a concert featuring the Swing Commanders at 7.30 p.m. The caterers and bar will be open for this concert.
Steam trains
At the same time, Barrow Hill Roundhouse will be running Open Days. These will demonstrate the Roundhouse at work, with the resident Peckett Steam Engine and 03 Diesel Shunter hauling passenger trains, turntable demonstrations and signal box tours.
The two sites are only a mile apart and will be linked by a free vintage bus service.
Volunteers wanted
The organisers tell us they need a huge number of people to help with the Festival.
They are needed to help set up on the Thursday and Friday (27th and 28th June), and dozens of stewards on the days themselves (29th and 30th June).
Volunteers can either choose something specific, e.g. car parking, sales, helping on the gates, or you can just help anywhere.