Spectators crown top boat at annual illuminations

An LED-laden boat carrying a working teacup fairground ride has taken the trophy at the 2024 Matlock Bath Illuminations.

David Harrison’s rotating ride design, which features a bubble-blowing teapot centrepiece, was voted the winner by spectators at the opening weekend of the traditional parade down the River Derwent.

Let’s Have A Cuppa beat a lit-up Optimus Prime design and an illuminated RNLI lifeboat carried on board a rowboat, which were placed in second and third respectively.

Mr Harrison, who has been taking part in the contest since 1995, said he was surprised but pleased to be named the winner.

He added: “I think we’re all winners, in the fact that we’re allowed the honour of carrying on the tradition.

“I find it very difficult to think how I would place them, I think it’s an impossibility.

“The idea just strolled through my head. I took my young niece on holiday and she went on a teacup ride and that’s probably what started it.

“It came to pieces many times during the process as things kept packing up and not working but everything fell into place.”

Mr Harrison will now have the honour of leading the 11-boat parade for the rest of the year, taking place on each weekend night until 27 October.

Organiser Derbyshire Dales District Council said the event attracts about 100,000 visitors.

Council leader Steve Flitter said: "One hundred and twenty-seven years after they were first staged, Matlock Bath Illuminations continue to be one of this region’s most popular autumn events."

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