Twenty-three historic narrowboats were among 87 boats at Langley Mill over this year's late May bank holiday, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the saving of the Erewash Canal. The Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association was formed in 1968 in response to a threat to close the waterway. In the five years following its formation, ECPDA is not only credited with saving the canal but also restoring Langley Bridge Lock and the Great Northern Basin at the head of the navigation. The event also celebrated the 45th anniversary of the reopening of the basin in 1973. The basin is unusual in technically being the junction of three canals - the Erewash, Cromford and, beyond the restored swing-bridge in the basin, a stub of what was the old Nottingham Canal. Historic boats present included two visitors from the Chesterfield Canal, the workboat Python and the replica Cuckoo boat Dawn Rose. These two classic craft represented a show of solidarity from the Chesterfield Canal Trust, with 20 of its volunteers also turning out to staff the promotional trailer James Brindley.
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