Communities across Britain are preparing to celebrate Queen
Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and in the Peak District
plans will chime with one of the area's most unusual festivals -
originally inspired by a royal anniversary.
Matlock Bath Illuminations were launched in 1897 to commemorate
60 years on the throne for another majestic monarch, Queen
Victoria, and next autumn will herald the event's 115th
birthday.
As a young Princess, Victoria was entranced by the sight of
candlelight dancing on the waters of the river Derwent. Towards the
end of her reign, local people decided to mark her Diamond Jubilee
by lighting their village with fairy lamps and Chinese and Japanese
lanterns.
Rockets were set off from the top of local landmark Masson Hill,
and a torchlight procession was held, followed by a procession of
illuminated boats on the river and coloured lights illuminating
rocks along the gorge.
Today's illuminations highlight natural features such as rock
outcrops, trees and thermal waters in Matlock Bath's Derwent
Gardens and include spectacular cliff top firework displays.
Brightly-lit, decorated boats are at the heart of the
celebrations, and float gracefully down the river every Saturday
and Sunday evening during the festival.
Up to ten craft - decorated with thousands of pea lights and
featuring wide-ranging designs from Bob the Builder to the Eiffel
Tower - are made by the Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders'
Association.
Matlock Bath Illuminations - staged by Derbyshire Dales District
Council with support from many local businesses - are set to light
up the village from 1 September to 27 October 2012. For up to date
details nearer the time, visit www.visitpeakdistrict.com or
www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/illuminations.
"Long-standing and vibrant traditions such as Matlock Bath
Illuminations make a visit to the Peak District extra-special at
any time of year," said David Thornton, Head of Marketing and
Deputy Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the
area's official tourist board.
"We're delighted that 2012 marks not only Queen Elizabeth II's
Diamond Jubilee in June, but also harks back to local celebrations
launched to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's reign
later in the year.
"The Peak District's royal pedigree stretches back a long way,
from Mary Queen of Scots through to our current monarch. It's a
great excuse to book a holiday or short break to explore those
links with visits to some of our best loved, and other maybe not so
well-known, historic houses and landmarks, as well as joining in
local events to celebrate our present Queen's key milestone next
summer."