Illuminations are back ON
LIMITED RETURN IS PLANNED FOR SPECTACULAR EVENT
MATLOCK Bath illuminations are set to return this year after last year’s even fell victim to Covid.
Derbyshire Dales District Council has announced its intention to run the event on a limited basis in September and October this year.
However, it warns that it will be constantly reviewing the ongoing coronavirus situation in the coming months.
The spectacular Illuminations event is one of the region’s top attractions and draws thousands of visitors spectators to see the lights and watch the procession of illuminated boats down the River Derwent.
The event dates back to Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and it was the recollections of an earlier visit to Matlock Bath by the then Princess Victoria that inspired the Illuminations.
At a meeting this week with the Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders’ Association and Matlock Bath Parish Council, the district council, which took over the organisation of the event in 1984, agreed it would work towards the Illuminations returning safely this year.
A council spokesperson 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.”