A Waterway for All

THE Chesterfield Canal Trust styles itself as A Waterway for All, so it was determined to make this year's Festival a success for everybody.

This meant that it was as wheelchair friendly as possible. The result was a bumper turnout over last weekend of people whose access to waterways facilities can often be limited.

Completely accessible

The whole site at Staveley Town Basin is accessible. Two of the Chesterfield Canal Trust's trip boats have lifts which were in frequent use. The Trust had borrowed some wheelchairs to lend out. The Derbyshire Countryside Service had a mobility scooter for hire. The free connecting bus service to Barrow Hill Roundhouse included a minibus with a tail lift.

However the trump card was the Wheely oat Trust. They brought their Mark lll version and gave free trips along the canal. This was hugely popular because wheelchairs can roll straight on and off.

Wide variety

There was a wide variety of activities on offer including entertainment both inside and outside provided by seven bands, four dance groups and a choir plus a clown and street theatre. Dr Geraint Coles, the Chesterfield Canal Development Manager, held two very enlightening Question and Answer sessions.

On the Saturday night there was a major concert featuring the very popular Swing Commanders. The entertainment was sponsored by Markham Vale. On the water, the Trust ran all three of its trip boats, two of which were brought by road from the eastern end of the canal—Staveley Town Basin being on the isolated western stretch

Closing the eight miles gap

The Trust is campaigning for the remaining eight miles gap to be closed. There was a trip every fifteen minutes over the two days and all were full.

Pleasley Vale Canoe Club again came up trumps with canoes of various kinds. On the Sunday afternoon the Derbyshire County Coucil Fire & Rescue Service Water Rescue Unit came to do a display buzzing round the basin with an inflatable craft; first scattering officers into the water and then rescuing them!

Richard Parry

The organisers were delighted to find that Richard Parry, the new Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust, had come to look round. He seemed impressed at the ambitious scale of the event and was interested in the future restoration plans.

Of course there was plenty more going on including the Raptor Foundation displaying and flying their birds, lots of rides for children including a miniature train ride, veteran sports cars and a Fun Dog Show, run by A&S Dog Training plus the ever popular zorbs.

Add in dozens of stalls, eight catering units and a Real Ale bar and you begin to get a picture of a wide ranging event. In total there were nearly ninety different attractions.

Volunteered to help

This could only happen because over 100 Trust members volunteered to help, including the Work Party whose members were laying blocks in the new Staveley Town Lock. This quote probably sums up the feeling: "What an absolute pleasure it is to work with such a fantastic group of volunteers. We all play a little part—but together we are unbeatable."