Matlock Bath ‘limited’ illuminations could go ahead

MATLOCK Bath’s annual illuminations could be going ahead “on a limited basis” this year, the district council has said.

The autumn event, which attracts hundreds of visitors from Ashbourne – and thousands more from further afield – with a handful of competitors for the boat-building, will be “constantly reviewed”.

Derbyshire Dales District Council, which took over the running of the event in 1984, says numbers allowed in the Derwent Gardens would be restricted, but the September and October festival would hopefully be making a welcome return.

At a recent meeting with the Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders’ Association and Matlock Bath Parish Council, the district council, which was forced to call off the event last year because of the pandemic, agreed it would work towards the Illuminations returning safely in 2021.

A spokesman said: “Obviously we will be restricting numbers in Derwent Gardens this year and in the coming months we will be looking closely at the capacity issue and other measures we need to put in place to make the event Covid secure.

“We will also be talking soon to other interested parties, including representatives of Matlock Bath’s business community.

“It’s very likely the event will look and feel a lot different this year, but we are massively encouraged that the boat builders, whose amazing crafts are the centrepiece of every Illuminations, have confirmed that they are in.

“There is still much work to do and the actual dates and further details will follow.”