Summer 2021 DVMWHS ENewsletter
Summer 2021 DVMWHS ENewsletter
Hello!
2021 is a celebratory year for the Derwent Valley Mills as we mark a number of anniversaries. It is 20 years since our inscription by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, 250 years since Richard Arkwright built Cromford Mills, and 300 years since the Derby Silk Mill was built. It’s wonderful to see the Silk Mill reimagined as the contemporary space that is The Museum of Making which opened recently.
As society is beginning to reopen, there are lots of opportunities to enjoy the World Heritage Site, whether you’re excited to be exploring again, or feeling a little more cautious.
Museum of Making Opens!
The Derby Silk Mill is the southern gateway to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
Situated in the centre of Derby, The Silk Mill has undergone a major redevelopment programme and has been reborn as The Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill – and is now open and welcoming visitors from 21st May 2021.
As well as telling the stories of Derby’s impressive past, the beating heart of the museum is a new workshop full of specialist equipment and skilled staff who are on hand to support modern makers. With programmes like The Repair Shop growing in popularity, the museum will harness the nation’s newfound passion for making, encouraging visitors to get creative and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
The Museum is free to enter, you just need to book a time, due to Covid restrictions.
“Derwent Delights” at Cromford Mills 29th May – 6th June
Join us for this celebratory exhibition of a community arts project, run during 2019 and 2020 by Fleet Arts.
The project has explored the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site’s rich landscape and history, and showcases sculptural metalwork by Miles Halpin, textile art by Tan Draig and poetry, textile and video responses created by a wide variety of groups across the Derwent Valley working with professional artists.
There’ll be an opportunity to get involved with a live art installation with artist Tan Draig on Sunday 30th May. Writer and performance artist Sophie Sparham will recite a number of the poems which have been written by members of the public, plus drop in workshops.
This event will comply with social distancing guidelines and you’ll be asked to check in at the entrance to Cromford Mills.
The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund & Arts Council England for the Derwent Valley Mills Great Place Scheme.
“The London Mothers” Online Premiere 9th June
Three Women, Three Stories… a short play by Heidi Luker, followed by Q&A. Online Premiere – 8pm 9th June.
Follow the experiences of Mary and Doreen as they prepare to give birth 150 miles away from home against the backdrop of the Second World War. The two friends are evacuated to Willersley Castle, Cromford, whilst friend Gladys remains in London. Join them as they navigate difficult emotions and decisions.
The short play has been researched and written by local artist Heidi Luker and has been informed by interviews with mothers, those born at the castle, and former midwives who were working there during the war.
The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund & Arts Council England for the Derwent Valley Mills Great Place Scheme.
Outdoor Cinema in the Valley – Book now!
QUAD Derby, supported by the Derwent Valley Mills Great Place Scheme and sponsored by TrentBarton, is bringing outdoor cinema to Cromford Meadows Cricket Ground, Belper Town FC and Derby Rugby Club during August and September. Enjoy blockbusters such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Grease, Mamma Mia and The Greatest Showman in the beautiful surroundings of the Derwent Valley!
Find out more and booking information
Cromford Mills Celebrates 250 years
Cromford Mills celebrates 250 years of Industrial Revolution by welcoming visitors back with a fantastic line up of summer events!
Cromford Mills was founded in 1771 by Sir Richard Arkwright in Cromford, Derbyshire. Arkwright and his mill rose to fame as it became the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill in the world.
Join in this year of celebration as we also mark the 50th anniversary of the Arkwright Society and 20th anniversary of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Celebrations kick off with a summer of exciting events including artisan markets, antiques fairs, special weekend events, online talks and outdoor theatre. Stay up to date with the latest developments by visiting:
Strutt’s North Mill Museum Re-opens
Strutt’s North Mill Museum in Belper is now open! Also heritage walks every Sunday.
If you want to book a “virtual tour” this is also possible – click on the links below for more information.
Georgian Derbyshire Festival 17th-19th September
We’ve joined forces with Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust to bring you a packed programme of walks, tours, talks and fun highlighting the importance of the Georgian Era in shaping Derbyshire.
From Friday 17th to Sunday 19th September, there will be a mix of family activities, walks and talks, both in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site and at Buxton for the Georgian Derbyshire Festival.
There’ll be a different theme each day, and a different geographical focus within the World Heritage Site too. On the first day, a ‘society’ theme at Cromford will look at the contrasts in the lives of the millworkers compared to the people who visited Buxton to take the waters. On the Saturday, attention moves to Derby and Darley Abbey for the ‘architecture’ theme, and the final day, Sunday 19, is centred on Belper and looks at how the use of water for powering machines in the Derwent Valley contrasted with using water in the Buxton spas.
More details will be unveiled soon on this website.
Celebrating 20th Anniversary with Saltaire and New Lanark
The World Heritage Sites at Saltaire in Yorkshire and New Lanark in Scotland are also celebrating 20 years of UNESCO inscription this year.
Taken together, our three sites show how Britain moved from cottage industries to a factory system which changed the world.
The Derwent Valley Mills are where the factory system began; New Lanark is where a paternalistic system developed into a utopian community; and Saltaire is a large and complete complex which prepared the way for other future industrial model villages. There will be shared celebrations to come during the year.
Look out for more information on our website and at
Spin A Tale
In early May we shared the premiere of “Spin A Tale” with an online audience.
Internationally renowned artists with Constella OperaBallet worked in partnership with choirs, performers, dancers and members of the local community in Darley Abbey, to bring its heritage to life through a series of seven completely new and original works of choreography, music and drama, which were filmed on location.
The films were accompanied by a wonderful art installation of bunting made by the local community and oversized bobbins, threaded throughout the village. The project was conceived in collaboration with Darley Abbey Community Association for Darley Abbey Day 2021.
You can still view the films on our YouTube Channel, along with many more interesting videos about the World Heritage Site!
Watch the films
Find out more about Spin A Tale
Look out for our next edition in Autumn 2021!
With best wishes
Derwent Valley Mills Co-ordination Team
