Summer Solstice, street food and beer festival is coming to Mercia Marina

Final preparations are being made for two major new events which are expected to attract hundreds of visitors to Mercia Marina. Food from around the world is the theme of the StrEATfood Social which will see the best food from around the world on offer alongside world beers, rum, gin prosecco and cocktails. There will also be live music, family fun and face painting at the free event which will run from 12pm to 10pm on Saturday, June 15th – the same day as Findern Village Fete. Aaron Hunt, …, said: “Our customers can expect an experience full of taste and flavour from all over the globe done properly - the Street Food way! Brazillian BBQ colour, Pan-Asian flavour. Pulled meats to loaded fries, a taste of Mexico and enough sweetness to go with it from Brownies to Churros. “World beers, lagers and ciders accompany great Gins, Prosecco and cocktails from our quality bars. All this with beautiful surroundings at Mercia Marina with background music from our live acoustic acts and DJ’s.” Just one week later the marina will host a Summer Solstice event which will be held on Saturday, June 22nd from 3pm. As the light fades the fun begins at Mercia’s second all new event. The Lantern Company will be dressing the marina with giant Stonehenge like stones, you will see magpies, druids and solstice characters playing into the night to celebrate the beginning of summer and enjoying the good harvest of a street food style market that will go on into the night including entertainment, street foods from around the world and a selection of drinks, ranging from craft and world beers to gin, rum and prosecco. Dances of light, sweet tastes and sounds along with performances that are not to be missed. Tony Preston, Sales and Marketing Manager at the marina, said: “These two events are all about delivering a different quality experience, enjoyment, and creating memories. This year’s Easter event was hugely popular and sets the trend for interesting and vibrant new events by the water at Mercia Marina and of course they are all free entry and free parking”

Narrowboat Girl Visits Mercia Marina

A great video to share by Emma who is know as Narrowboat Girl. Emma and her mum live on a narrowboat called Pendle and of coarse no adventure is complete with out their dogs Susie, Teddy bear, Podge, Peaky and Angel. Here is her video of the great days she had visiting Mercia Marina... https://youtu.be/5B11tX69aBk

Invest in Derbyshire

An exciting next step in the development of the Invest in Derbyshire service, delivered by Marketing Derby on behalf of Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Economic Partnership, was taken last week as a new brand, website and film were launched.

Mercia Marina volunteers learn first aid skills

From performing potentially life-saving CPR to applying plasters and bandages, the volunteer first aiders at Mercia Marina offer a vital service. More than 20 boaters have now signed up to become first aiders and have received full training alongside staff who work at the marina, in Willington.

The story behind this amazing new sculpture at Mercia Marina

A stunning sculpture created by a renowned artist has been unveiled to mark Mercia Marina’s 10th anniversary. Simon Gudgeon’s Bird of Happiness stands at over 7ft tall, weighs around 400 kg, is cast in bronze and has taken pride of place outside the Bluebird Gallery at the marina in Willington. Mr Gudgeon is best known for his 10ft bronze Isis sculpture, which was the first piece of public sculpture to be placed in London’s Hyde Park for more than 50 years. It was this sculpture that inspired marina partner John Thornton to source one of Mr Gudgeon’s pieces for the marina. Mr Thornton said: “We wanted a permanent marker of the marina’s foundation and a sculpture seemed very appropriate. Because of the abundant wildfowl at the marina we thought that a water bird would be very appropriate and because of the scale of the marina and the large and high buildings in the Boardwalk and Piazza it needed to be high to be noticed. “We saw Simon Gudgeon’s Isis when walking in Hyde Park. We very much liked his smooth, minimalist and imaginative style and thought that this would be very appropriate at the marina.” The sculpture was unveiled as part of spectacular celebrations held to mark the marina’s 10-year anniversary, which were attended by thousands of people. Mr Thornton said he was thrilled to finally see the sculpture in place at the marina. He said: “We much admired Simon’s designs for the Bird of Happiness and even the name seemed appropriate as since the beginning we have wanted the marina to be a place that would be enjoyed by all; boaters, lodge owners, shoppers, people working here and the very many people who visit us. “When we saw the sculpture in place we were delighted both by the work itself and the way it fitted in without being dominated by its surroundings.” Mr Gudgeon said he was delighted to see his sculpture unveiled at the marina. He said: “John came to visit me in Dorset and he saw the ‘Bird of Happiness’ sculpture and that was the one he liked. It is based on a crane and a flower from South Africa and is cast in bronze. When I saw it in place at the marina I thought it looked lovely, very nice.”

South Derbyshire Community Awards 2018

The South Derbyshire Community Awards is a new initiative now in its second year, to recognise and celebrate the good work done for the community by volunteers, voluntary groups and local businesses. We also wanted to bring together voluntary groups and local businesses to build relationships between them. The Awards have been organised by local charity South Derbyshire CVS and Swadlincote & District Chamber of Trade, with sponsorship from Toyota and 7 other local businesses, each of which have sponsored one of the Award Categories. We have also had donations and in-kind support from a number of other individuals and companies.

Mercia's New Bridge

The footbridge to connect the new car park at Mercia Marina to the wildlife pond area on the other side of Findern Lane is here!

Mercia Marina Annual Community Fireworks Display

November the 5th was that time of year for fun of the explosive variety with the sky painted every colour imaginable, especially so at Mercia. A whiff of gunpowder and a plott to entertain and bring the local community together for our much loved annual fireworks display. This year saw a record crowd with whole area of the Boardwalk a mass with visitors patiently waiting. The shops and bar and dining was bustling, Still Waters were serving up hot dogs and mulled wine (which has to be tried!). Late dusk was upon us and a slight chill was starting to bite. Perfect for fireworks and enjoyed by the roar and welcome warmness of the braziers gently flickering and attracting waiting sparklers like moths. I'ts always a special time of year but there is a lovely fondness found at the marina. I can still spot the same faces from many years ago, still enjoying the atmosphere drinks and food. Lots of little ones wrapped up warm, some no doubt their very first fireworks night. And the firework display, wow, just wow. The last shot felt like it was in my chest and the the sky was like the death star exploding. Have a look at Mercia David Pinkney's video that captures the full display...

South Derbyshire Community Awards

Mercia Marina was delighted at the opportunity to be involved with the South Derbyshire Community Awards which is a new initiative to recognise and celebrate the good work done for the community by volunteers, voluntary groups and local businesses. The Awards were organised by local charity South Derbyshire CVS and Swadlincote & District Chamber of Trade, with sponsorship from 6 other local businesses including Mercia Marina.

On the 'note' of charity, it’s ‘Small Change for Big Change’

After Playing their hearts out every month at Mercia’s Bandstand Busk and the Makers Market the band Moore and Moore Beer made up of David and Karen Moore and John Beer were proud to present a massive cheque for £550 to Frances Weston and Duncan Robb of Nature and Nurture CIC. The not-for-profit organisation provide a ‘free-to user’ counselling and therapy service for children and young people with a range of psychological problems. Moore and Moore Beer who run the popular monthly open mike ‘Bandstand Busk’ music event at Mercia Marina have been collecting donations from the local community and many visitors who come along to enjoy the different musicians and artists perform. Tony Preston Sales and Marketing Manager at Mercia said ‘When I heard how much that David, Karen and John had raised it was music to my ears. They have given up their time and shared their gift with others, all to help continue the essential service that this charity offers’. It was a pleasure to meet Frances and Duncan and see them receive a giant cheque for £550. I have seen John Beer come rain or shine at the other events like the Makers Market enthusiastically collecting and edging the total raised up to what exceeded even the bands estimations. Very well done!’ David Moore commented ‘So what’s the Bandstand Busk all about? It’s basically a monthly opportunity for anyone with a musical talent to come and perform on the Marina Bandstand with other musicians’ said Moore & Moore Beer. ‘We get artists of all ages from a variety of musical genres coming from as far afield as Stoke-on-Trent and Congleton who simply enjoy playing to the appreciative Marina audience. The event has grown every year and we’re delighted that the local community vote with their feet by attending. We put collection buckets out at every event and have supported different causes each year. This year’s proceeds of £550 raised from people’s small change will mean a big change for a child receiving the psychological and emotional support that Nature and Nurture provide. We’d like to say a big ‘Thank-you’ to all who have supported the event this year by playing, singing, listening, watching, and contributing to the fund’ The final busk of 2017 was a welcome celebration for visitors and artists alike. As for many charities that rely solely on donations to operate, the money raised has an instant positive impact on those who need it the most. Mercia Marina will be welcoming back this popular community event in 2018 as the Bandstand Busk enters its third year amid growing popularity and talent.