ECP&DA 45 Years (2013)
Rallies & Events
A double celebration
The 45th Anniversary of the Association and the 40th Anniversary of the re-opening of the Great Northern Basin Langley Mill Rally - Spring Bank Holiday 2013. The 45th Anniversary rally was a great success; with over eighty boats (there would have been over one hundred, bar stoppages at Cromwell lock). Between six and seven thousand people attended and the sun shone all weekend. The build-up to the rally was not so good however as the weather was cold and wet right up to the eve of the event.
Saturday saw the official opening by Association President Jim Stevenson in the presence of the Mayors of Amber valley, Broxtowe, and Erewash. This was preceded by the arrival of historic narrowboats Bath and Chertsey carrying the Holymoorside Brass Band. By this time a large crowd was already there, with more people arriving steadily. All the trade stalls, canal association information stands, and real ale bar managed to trade briskly throughout the weekend. Many local people said how much they had enjoyed coming and had learned new things about their canal.