NEWS FROM EREWASH

Kieran Lee has been busy since his appointment. He has met many individuals, organisations and businesses in the area and is finding support for the viaduct project wherever he goes. The educational side of the project has been set up, with a consultant designing learning materials to be piloted in two schools before being made more widely available. This summer there will be an extended exhibition in the Erewash Museum, Ilkeston, as well as education days and talks. 

More good news: The Canal and River Trust have just started work on the Erewash Canal towpath between Potter's Lock and Awsworth Road. The towpath between Hallam Fields Lock and Langley Mill is in very poor condition and it is high time it was brought up to the standard of the southern section of the Erewash Valley Trail. This is Phase 1 apparently, and is being done first to coincide with the opening of the new Ilkeston railway station (due October). The  work is due to finish at the end of April, and the path will be closed until it is completed. The majority of the funding comes from Derbyshire County Council. 

Cycling History. On another note altogether, I am looking into the history of cycling in Ilkeston.  The Ilkeston Bicycle Club was founded in the early 1880's and cycle racing began in 1888 at the Ilkeston Recreation Ground.  Bicycles were being manufactured in Ilkeston from about 1892.  I'm just scratching the surface at the moment and would love to hear from anyone who has any knowledge about early cycling history in Ilkeston. 

Jeff