Publisher: New Real Photo Series by A.W. Bourne, Leicester.
Lighted boats parading through Matlock Bath have had a number of names including Venetian Fete and Venetian Nights and lately The Matlock Bath Illuminations. The Illumination season runs from mid-September to the end of October, with the Saturday evening including a fireworks display. In this case, one of the boats appears to be a plane that experienced a difficult water landing.
The Illuminations have a long and established history dating back to 1897, first held to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. It was intended to be “a procession of illuminated boats on the river and simultaneous illumination of the walks by coloured fires”.
Recollections of an earlier visit to Matlock Bath by the then Princess Victoria inspired The Illuminations. She recalled how, when staying in Matlock Bath, she looked out of her hotel window and saw the candle lights reflected in the River Derwent.
During this time, many of the boats resembled Venetian gondolas but over time, the designs became increasingly ambitious and elaborate. Today, the event still features the decorated and illuminated boats that are produced by the members of The Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders Association who also row them each Saturday and Sunday evening during The Illuminations season.
For a more detailed history of The Illuminations together with photographs of previous entries, please visit the andrewsgen.com website.
For a more information concerning attending the modern day Matlock Bath Illumination, please visit the Derbyshire Dales District Council website.