Race is on to finish work on town lock

The project, which has already seen £100,000 spent by Chesterfield Canal Trust, has completely overhauled the lock, excavations, walls, reinforcers, blockwork, brickwork, the bridge at the end of the lock, the bywash and the spill weir base.

But the project has endured its fair share of setbacks, with bad weather and mechanical problems making life difficult for workers.

David Kiddy, the Trustee in charge of volunteers, said: “The main problem now is completing the 300 metres of canal below the lock, known as Hartington Harbour. This area has been, at best, ankle deep in mud and at worst totally flooded since November.

“I am very proud of our volunteers. Many have come to work on four or five days a week throughout the winter, frequently working in atrocious conditions.”

The Trust is hosting the festival from 10am to 5pm on May 28 and 29 and hope the work will be completed by then so boats can use the lock to turn in Hartington Harbour.