Actor Brian Blessed returns to 'favourite place' to receive £3k canal charity boost

By paul whyatt pwhyatt@derbytelegraph.co.uk

BOISTEROUS actor Brian Blessed described Derbyshire as his favourite place as he picked up a cheque for more than £3,300 to boost a canal regeneration project.

The 73-year-old received the cash on behalf of Friends of Cromford Canal, which wants to transform a 17-mile stretch of the canal over the next 25 to 30 years.

The money was donated by county councillor Juliette Blake and will go towards a "wish list" which includes interpretation boards, solicitor fees, general tidying and path maintenance and repairs to stonework.

Mr Blessed, who is president of the Friends group, said to Mrs Blake as he accepted the cheque: "I think it is so generous of you; £3,000 these days, in a recession, is very difficult for a charity to find.

"You display such vision and have a great heart."

The actor, who starred in Z Cars, Black Adder and sci-fi film hit Flash Gordon, said he was thrilled to be in back in Derbyshire to support the project.

He said: "The Cromford Canal for me is a miracle. It's so wonderful. I think you're doing such a great job in holding on to keep this project going.

"Derbyshire, because of places like the Peak District, is without doubt my favourite place and I'm thrilled to bits to be here.

"The courage and imagination here, I find incredibly moving. This is going to be a great project. The canal will grow and grow; we'll see it out."

The Friends of Cromford Canal is rejuvenating the 17-mile stretch step by step and volunteers are currently working on a section at Pinxton.

Mr Blessed, who comes from Yorkshire, said the prospect of it being completed was an exciting thought.

"When you see longboats on the TV it is so civilised. We are all rushing around in our cars and miss everything," he said.

"But you get on a longboat and within a mile you've noticed the birds and bees and the people along the shore.

"We start to look at people, right into their eyes. You stop and experience how wonderful the country is.

"When it's done it will be a great tourist attraction."

The £3,343 was donated by Mrs Blake from her £4,200 community fund, which Derbyshire County Council gives councillors to spend on good causes.

Mrs Blake said she was thrilled to meet Mr Blessed.

She added: "He's the most inspirational, entertaining, wonderful person that I've ever met. It's marvellous that he's come here.

"Cromford Canal is looking tired at the minute and is rather overgrown in places.

"But a lot of hard work has already been put in by volunteers and hopefully this money will help them to continue that work."