The Duke visited the Chesterfield Canal Trust, Barrow Hill Roundhouse, Bolsover Castle and Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
On 9th October HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited the north-east of the county. He began the day at two places transformed thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers.
At the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s Hollingwood Hub, the Duke was briefed about the current state of the canal’s restoration before a short cruise on the Trust’s tripboat, ‘Madeline’, and unveiling a plaque to record his visit. The Trust was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for voluntary service by groups in the community in 2017. The Duke then travelled to Barrow Hill Roundhouse, where he looked round the railway museum, with its locomotives and rolling stock, operational turntable and running line. Bolsover Castle was the next stop; the fairy-tale mansion in the care of English Heritage has again benefited from recent restoration work. The Duke ended the day at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital, touring the building and officially opening the NGS Macmillan Unit – where a £2.5million fundraising campaign, including a £1.5million donation from the National Garden Scheme, contributed to the overall £10million cost of the project. During the day the Duke met people involved in the various projects, giving them a chance to talk about their outstanding achievements.
