Peter's Waterways Blog A Busy Bank Holiday This was first published in IWA West Riding's Milepost in September 2017, an account of the Festival of Water at Ilkeston and other bank Holiday events.

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Filming an interview on the towingpath

This year we managed to have both our shared boats to the IWA Festival of Water at Ilkeston on the Erewash Canal. Although the water levels varied, C&RT did a good job of letting water down the canal to offset that needed by boats coming up the locks towards the site.

The new format of festival is much smaller than the 'National' had grown. It is now a smaller affair and has free entry for the public to the site. This means there is lots of chance to introduce the locals to the canals, whilst retaining the social aspects for the visiting boaters. It was a good site next to the canal.

Towingpath sign from main road

Ford 100E Anglia

Over fifteen thousand people attended the event. On the field next tot he canal there were vintage cars and buses, a boat horse, and about thirty stalls including canal societies, crafts and food stalls. There was also the beer and entertainment tents and the regular boaters' quiz ably run by Martin Ludgate.

The hundred or so boats made a grand spectacle and many locals walked the towingpath and looked at the boats. There was also a lock next to a pub in the vicinity, and boats going up the canal to wind created lots of interest and entertainment.

Working horses display

Pub by the lock attracting gongoozlers

The IWA had some good coverage on the local East Midlands BBC television including talking about the effect of HS2 on the waterways. Peter and I were interviewed together for a few seconds' broadcast on the same programme, saying what we like about the canals and the benefits to regeneration locally. The good weather helped: Monday was almost too hot, but good for ice cream sales. All in all it was a very good weekend. See here for details of the next event. Elaine Scott (text) Peter Scott (pictures) @peterjohnscott

If things had gone-to-plan, which with canals is the exception, one of our boats which Elaine mentioned would have been in East London for the opening of Carpenters' Road lock, with its unique guillotine gates, which now give enhanced access to the Olympic Park's Waterways. The restoration was organised by C&RT with some funding from IWA, and was also opened at the Bank Holiday. That 'busy' plan had us travelling from London to Ilkeston and calling in to my cousins' (apostrophe correct) wedding approximately halfway. But in the end we didn't need to be that busy. Peter Scott @peterjohnscott

Interpretation board

Guillotine gate

Mirror tiles on the underside of the bridge