Magnificent Mercia Marina

Long Eaton Natural History Society embark on a walk lead by landscaping and planting expert David Boddy. This guest blog is packed for of informatuion about flora and fauna and interesting facts about the history of this magnificent beauty spot...

Piazza Development - The Steel in the sky...

The Piazza building is climbing its way up and now really starts to take shape. The steel work cuts out its unique and complimentary shape on the skyline with the different levels and floors now clearly visible. All the building work is right on target and these latest pictures convey the views and position next to the multi award winning Boardwalk building and the bespoke designed bandstand.

Creating a buzz for a wildlife weekend in a nature wonderland...

A review of the wildest weekend Mercia Marina has had... Mercia's Nature Society, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Burton Wildlife Rescue, Bumblebee Conservation Trust all made for an informative, nature rich weekend event at Mercia Marina...

A great market day in the making...

A co-production by South Derbyshire District Council and Mercia Marina. Review of the popular Makers Market that regularly visits the Uk's largest inland marina to show case the skills, crafts and locally sourced produce from the heart of Derbyshire.

Holidays have a new home - Derby Telegraph reports

Mercia Marina is one of the hottest must-visit destinations in Derbyshire right now – and you could make it more than an occasional treat if you bought your own holiday home there. The Willington venue, which is Europe's largest inland marina, has 28 waterside holiday lodges and planning permission for another 32 has been approved. And the thought of having a permanent place to enjoy the calming, rural waterside location must be tempting for many who flock to the leisure venue in their droves - particularly on a sunny day. The marina says it is currently attracting around 800,000 visitors a year. Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/fancy-your-own-derbyshire-holiday-home-by-the-waterside-at-mercia-marina/story-30253764-detail/story.html#qtRw2J2TbxdeyybV.99

The Piazza - a sensational new development for South Derbyshire

The building, called The Piazza, will sit on the alongside the marina’s popular, award-winning Boardwalk development, which opened in 2014. The three-and-four-storey Piazza will create a public space around the marina’s unique five-sided bandstand. The Piazza is scheduled for completion in December and will offer a restaurant, a series of retail units for complimentary shops and office space to attract quality businesses to the South Derbyshire area.

Guest Blog - The Origin of Boat Names

A uniquely written, fun and interesting blog article on the origin of boat names from well known books films and TV. Some Mercian's might recognise some of the popular boat names and enjoy making the connections with the history of their boat story.

Mercia Marina Nature & Wildlife Newsletters

Two excellent newsletters produced by Jane & Neil Wakeham, one on Bees and the other on Mammals. The Bees one provides information on the new bee nests built by Nigel and Neil, the underground bumblebee nests installed as well as future plans and a call out for ideas. The Mammals newsletter provides a roundup of the very hands-on activities during the first meeting plus results of trapping near the newly-created habitats (wood & brush piles). Both groups are made up of volunteers keen to make a difference and to learn more about the natural world around them or share the knowledge they already have. If you wish to join in one of the walks, an evening workshop or get your hands dirty outside, let the office know so we can pass your contact information to the different organisers. The Butterfly Group will emerge soon from its chrysalis and will be looking for members.

Planes, trains and automobiles…. not forgetting boats and bikes

Planes, trains and automobiles…. not forgetting boats and bikes East Midlands Airport, Willington Station, Co-Wheels, Mercia Swan and Bikeshare – we are spoilt for transport choices and connectedness here at Mercia. One transport method that receives too little attention is trains from Willington Station. Originally built to tranship goods carried on the canal onto the railway from Willington Wharf (now filled in and called Willington Marina) the train station can literally connect you to the world. Indeed, Ken Hall’s recent journey to Australia started with a train from Willington Station! So, we thought it useful to sum up the options. ↑ Beeston ↑ Nottingham ↑ East Midlands Airport ↑Derby → change for Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool and points north → Willington ↓ Burton ↓ Tamworth ↓ Birmingham New Street → change for Heathrow, London and South West Willington Station is easy to use. There are only 2 platforms, both wheelchair accessible, going to either Derby or Burton. There is no ticket machine, but it is always cheaper to buy in advance and have it posted to you. Discounts are available for seniors, juniors, etc. To give you an idea of costs, using Trainline without railcards, the cost of a day trip to Birmingham on a Saturday, leaving at 830am and returning to Willington at 2245 is only £11.20. A long weekend trip to Harrogate comes to £50.80 each. Some Local Highlights Birmingham (direct service) ● Brindley Place (boats and shopping) ● Culture: Museums, Orchestra, Ballet, more boats (and shopping) ● Nearby are The Black Country Museum (adjacent to canal) at Tipton and Cadbury World (adjacent to canal) near Bourneville Tamworth (direct service) ● Tamworth Castle including the Staffordshire Hoard ● Snowdome offering skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, heated pool and spa Matlock Bath (change at Derby) ● Cable car to Heights of Abraham ● Gullivers Kingdom ● Matlock Illuminations ● Sunday motorcycle rally Leicester (change at Derby) ● National Space Centre ● Diwali Attenborough (change at Beeston) ● Attenborough Nature Centre is a SSSI with guided walks, adjacent to River Trent

Additional Lodges

As many of you will have seen, demand for lodges continues to be strong, so much so that there are only 4 plots left now. Due to this, we have approached the council for permission to build lodges on the opposite side of the marina, specifically in the field in which the motorhomes are stored plus a few in the adjacent field. Many of you will have read that we have also applied for permission for a gym, sports area and parking space in the north field in anticipation of the bund earthworks finally finishing. The idea is for the current works area to move to that field alongside a new parking area for 82 vehicles as well as the motor homes. The parking is intended for long term use, specifically those boaters who are going out cruising for a few weeks or more who, quite rightly, know that leaving their car in a less busy area makes sense for all. This will free up the first field. The plan is for a large wildlife lake around which will be lodges. The soil removed to form the lake will be used to continue the earth bund farther along in the second field to further block noise from the A50. A few of the lodges will be sited in the middle field, but only in the southern corner, adjacent to the first field. The lodges will match those on site now and so be manufactured by Pinelog. Pinelog has proven to be a high quality manufacturer and, being based in Bakewell, allows us to support local businesses. So, the work area and motorhomes will relocate to the north field, and will be joined by overflow parking, a gym, sports field, trim trail and a putting area. The farmers’ sheep which use the first and middle fields will have to remain on other land owned by the farmers, Bart and Wally. The only other impact will be on dog walkers but this has been mitigated by ensuring the lodges will occupy less than a 1/3 of the middle field. Thus, the vast majority of the second field will remain available to dog walkers (and others). Also, we will be creating a dog walking path atop the bund which will overlook the gym and recreation area. Want to know more? Come in and see us.