Record attendances for heritage festival
DERBYSHIRE'S Derwent Valley, home to the East Midlands' only World Heritage Site, has been showcased during a nine day festival.
A packed programme of over 100 activities attracted nearly 6,000 attendees to the World Heritage Site Discovery Days.
Now in its fifth year, the festival had a range of new experiences for visitors, including the opening of private buildings such as a millworker’s cottage, a Nailmaster’s house and the ice house of the demolished Bridge Hill House, home of the Strutt family, all in Belper.
Turnout for some events, including the opening of the turbine house on the Belper mill site, were greatly above expectations, and the organisers have promised future opportunities to see these rarely-open buildings in the future.
A steam rally on the newly re-landscaped Cathedral Green in Derby kicked off the festival. The second day saw Belper buzzing with people, taking part in traditional children’s games in the River Gardens, visiting the Stardome planetarium at the former Herbert Strutt School on Derby Road, and learning about Belper in wartime at an art installation by the air raid shelters in the Memorial Gardens.
The Ritz Cinema in Belper took part, showing two films featuring Derbyshire locations, including DH Lawrence’s The Virgin and the Gypsy, which was accompanied by a question and answer session with director Christopher Miles and star Honor Blackman.
Following a week of well attended lectures and a concert of traditional Derbyshire songs and stories, the festival ended with the horse-drawn narrow boat attracting much attention along the Cromford Canal during the final weekend.
The usual mix of guided walks, exhibitions and children’s craft and nature sessions also showcased the Derwent Valley Mills and their story.
"Despite some wet weather on the first and last days, the level of interest this year has been phenomenal," said World Heritage Site Co-ordinator Adrian Farmer. “There were plenty of new things to try, as well as some old favourites, which kept the mix of activities fresh.
"As in the past, it was the many volunteers involved who enabled such an impressive programme to go ahead. I can’t thank them enough."
He added: "We've had some very positive responses back – and been surprised at how many people came to Derbyshire specifically for Discovery Days, from all across the UK. We’re already looking towards 2010’s festival which will run from October 23 to 31."
This year, children were given the chance to enter an art competition in Belper River Gardens and at Cromford Wharf. To see some of the entries, click here.
