THE BIGGEST event in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site calendar was even bigger and better in 2008.
The annual Discovery Days were stretched over a nine day festival period, packed with over 100 activities, and attracting over 4,000 attendees – twice the number who attended in 2007, despite poorer weather.
The picturesque Derwent Valley’s global significance was celebrated with a wider range of activities than ever before.
One of the most popular attractions this year was a captivating promenade performance by the 1623 Theatre Company of Shakespeare's Macbeth, held in Derby's Silk Mill, one of the world's first factories.
At the other end of the 15-mile Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, the horse-drawn narrow boat attracted much attention along the Cromford Canal on Sunday.
As well as these, the usual mix of guided walks, exhibitions and children’s craft and nature sessions were supported by four very different musical events, talks about aspects of the World Heritage Site and a chance for some hands-on conservation work along the Cromford Canal
"Despite the worse weather we've ever had, people still turned out and enjoyed the many events," said World Heritage Site Co-ordinator Adrian Farmer. "There were so many volunteers involved this year and they were a credit to the World Heritage Site – it all went very smoothly, and despite the occasional drenching they all did their bit and made it a great celebration of the valley’s heritage and its potential as a tourist hub for the future. I can't thank them enough.
"The new nine-day formula worked, with emphasis on different sections of the World Heritage Site on different days. People were able to work their way up the valley over the nine days, without having to dash up and down the 15 miles of A6 when they should have been enjoying the activities."
He added: "We've had some very positive responses back – people clearly enjoyed discovering the Derwent Valley despite the rain. We're already looking towards 2009 and a range of activities just as good for the nine days of October 24 to November 1."
