Nurse’s oarsome tribute to fellow NHS workers
MARY Chigodora is a community psychiatric nurse but when she gets home from a tiring day at work instead of sitting down in front of the TV she heads out on the River Derwent to row.
And Mary is taking part in the famous Matlock Bath Illuminations, a family event where a parade of eye-catching illuminated and decorated boats are rowed along the River Derwent by a group of volunteers.
The nurse, who works for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is a rowing an extra special boat that is a tribute to the NHS’s work during the pandemic.
The candle boat, dedicated to the NHS and all other key workers, is lit by tea lights instead of normal fairy lights.
About 100 of the candles decorate the boat, recalling a time before battery power brightened the lights at the Illuminations.
Mary got involved with the event through her partner, Paul Henshall, who helps build the decorations for the boats.
Paul has been taking part in the event for 47 years and is rowing the Lego Lockdown Express, another nod to the pandemic year. Mary said: “I usually row my partner’s decorated boat, but this year I agreed to row the traditional candle boat, as it is dedicated to key workers. We don’t have to row a long way but it can be tricky if the weather is bad”.
“I love to row, it’s a way of giving myself some therapy. I row every evening after work”.
“It was lovely this year when some of my NHS workmates were standing on the bank applauding me.
“People know me well in the Matlock area so it’s lovely when any NHS colleagues give me a cheer”.
During the eight-week season, which this year runs from 11 September to 31 October, members of Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders’ Association decorate
themed models with coloured lights. The models are then mounted on rowing boats and paraded on the River Derwent on Saturdays and Sundays.
This year’s eight-week season is coming to a close, with the event’s ticketing website showing it is fully booked.
Last year the Illuminations were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this year’s event is being run as a ticket-only event.