Here are two really high quality photographs of Lovers' Walks
that were taken in the 1950s - so before all the riverbank
buildings on the opposite bank were demolished for road
widening. During September, set pieces designed and made
for various of the Matlock Bath's Venetian Fêtes
used to be displayed amongst the trees between the river
and the path[1].
On Fête nights
various families launched their decorated boats from
the landing stages on the opposite bank[2].
To one couple in Matlock Bath this photograph has a special
significance. It is of them in their youth, when they were
"courting"!
The second photo was possibly taken beside the lifebuoy that
you can see in the top picture. The photographer has turned
round to take the view across the river, and has captured
some young rowers who are totally unaware of his existence.
The landing stage we can see was below the Pavilion and
the rocks beside it (on its left) are where the waters from
the fishpond emerge today before they cascade into the
river. The young women on the landing stage are standing
beside a wheel that is mounted on what looks like a raft.
This could have been something that was destined for one
of the decorated boats of the Venetian Fête[1].
The steps down can be seen on another picture on this site,
taken about thirty years earlier[3].
They were behind the Great Petrifying Well on South Parade[4] and
the building that had first been Boden's Cafe and later used
as a glove factory[5].
Towards the right hand edge of the photo is a wall, with some
tall trees running along the far side of it. They were
in the grounds of what had been Herbert Buxton's Royal Museum[6].
Interestingly,
in the same picture you can just about make out part of the
building on the opposite side of South Parade, at that time run
as a china shop by the Kelterbournes[7].
The tiny shop under the steps (partially eclipsed by a lorry)
had been a butchers[8]. |