An advert was placed in the local newspaper early 1935 advertising for tenders to create a boating lake within the grounds of Hall Leys Park.
Lighting was initially installed on the islands within the lake. I am not sure when they were eventually removed, but I do know that they were helpful for the frequent visitors during the winter months who used to come and Ice Skate on the frozen water of the lake!
On the 6th May 1935, the boating lake was officially opened. The park was incredibly busy with local residents enjoying the arranged celebrations for the jubilee. Mr Lubin Wildgoose was the very first person to step into a boat and travel round the lake. He was the Chairman of Matlock Town Council at the time and having cut a ribbon to officially open the lake, he enjoyed the first ride with his nephew.
The boats began as pedal boats and were later changed to petrol engines. Originally setting off from the road side of the park, before being moved to a launching area on the opposite side and where we still operate from to this day.
When the boats fell into a state of disrepair, the council were discussing closing them for good. Cyril Swain who had been operating his miniature steam trains in the park approached them and an agreement was made that he would take them over and become the first private owner.
Cyril then had new boats made and new petrol engines. He went on to run both the boats and train together for a number of years, before selling them onto another family in the 60’s and concentrating again solely on his steam trains.
The new owners updated the boats with new ones and new Stuart Turner Marine Engines (two stroke).
The boats you see today are the same boats that arrived in the 60’s and we are hoping to keep them going a good while longer yet! Up until 2019 they also still housed their original engines.
Since we took over back in 2015, we had all the engines fully stripped and reconditioned by a local retired engineer, who we met during his visit to the train with his grand children! (Thank you Roy)
We painted and replaced fittings to the boats and generally tidied up their appearance, which we now do every winter as part of our winter maintenance programme. I would love to know how many miles the boats travel during a season, they certainly show they are tired by the time we come to close.
In 2019 we decided to secure the future of the boats by going electric. You can read the story behind this in the relevant tab on the website. Below you can see the Stuart Turner engines and you can view a video of one of them running on our facebook page.
