CanalCuttings - Your FREE online-world British Inland Waterways, Narrowboat, River Cruiser, Canal Boat Magazine, Info Source and Britain's & Narrowboat Holiday Guide.

Almost 600 Pages of Information and Features about canals and their usage - We're not just a Narrowboat Magazine. The website includes River and Inland Waterways information.

Chesterfield Canal Festival Report 2010

The Chesterfield Canal Trust held their Festival at Worksop on Saturday and Sunday 17th and 18th July. Despite unhelpful weather, there was a healthy turnout to see a very wide range of attractions.

The entertainment marquee had a continuous flow of entertainers including the Talegate Theatre Company, Carlo the Clown, Ryton Chorale and music from John Berry. A Streetdance Troupe closed the Festival on the Sunday afternoon with a superb performance that merited an encore.

The Raptor Foundation’s range of owls and hawks were always busy. The Trust’s tripboat, Seth Ellis, was fully booked. Many people had their first ever try on a Segway or in a canoe.
There was a very wide range of stalls from Handley Rose Nursery to Home Baking to Canal Ware. Many charities and societies had stalls and there was an exhibition by the North Notts. Embroiderers’ Guild and a Schools’ Art show organised by the Harley Gallery.

Besides a fun day out, the purpose of the Festival was to bring attention to the glorious Chesterfield Canal and the Trust’s campaign to restore the nine mile gap between Staveley and Kiveton Park. There was a reception on the Saturday morning for politicians and other decision makers at which the canal’s Development Manager, Dr. Geraint Coles, outlined Next Navigation – a thousand page document that gives every detail of the restoration plans.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust wishes to thank Worksop Rugby Club, Bassetlaw District Council, British Waterways and the Chesterfield Canal Partnership and the staff of these organisations that have given invaluable help.

The event was sponsored by Fabulous Arts in Bassetlaw, whose Festival runs until the end of August.