Day 2 of Discovery Days 2020 Online

Belper and Milford

Burn Bright – Emma Pass: Derbyshire Commission

Emma Pass has written a piece of poetry specifically for the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Burn Bright aims to shine a light on women in the Derbyshire cotton industry, their contribution to which has not always been fully recognized. The poem also acknowledges the role of slavery in the cotton industry, and looks at how things have changed from the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution to the present day.

Throughout this project, Emma has been mentored by Cathy Grindrod, former Derbyshire Poet Laureate, playwright and author of five poetry collections as well as several commissioned pieces.

Emma is the award-winning author of two novels for young adults, ACID and The Fearless, both of which feature strong female lead characters and received nominations for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. She works as a reader for The Literary Consultancy, and as a writing tutor and mentor. She lives near Chesterfield with her husband, an artist, and their retired racing greyhound Auburn.

Emma has been commissioned with funding and support from Arts Derbyshire, Festivity and Derbyshire County Council.

Tale of the Tantivy

A film about the history of the ‘Tantivy’, a horse drawn coach that ran between Derby and Matlock Bath in the 1890s. In 2017 the Tantivy returned to Derbyshire for one day, as part of the Discovery Days festival.

Belper on Parade

A film celebrating the many parades and processions around Belper over the past 50 years.

Food Provision in the Early Days of the Derwent Valley

A film about how food was provided in the early days of the Derwent Valley Mills.

Experiencing the Derwent Valley

A film experiencing the Derwent Valley, as it was in the past, especially Belper town centre.

 

Tour of the new Belper Library

Have a look inside the brand new Belper Library

Online Research for Family and Local History

Learn how to research online to find out more about your ancestry and local history.

Milford Mills Animation

This is a 3D reconstruction of the Milford Mills (south side) c.1910. The mills were demolished by the English Sewing Cotton Company in 1964. Derbyshire Life magazine claimed at the time that the mill building ‘has served a useful purpose but has no place in the modern scheme of things.’ They added: ‘No tears will be shed over its departure; its preservation is of no importance’. The pioneering fireproof construction developments at Milford were unique, and its contribution to the story of the globally significant Derwent Valley Mills barely recognised at that time. Some auxiliary buildings to the south side were demolished earlier than 1964 and we have no or very little information on how they looked, so they are represented here as grey blocks to indicate their shape, calculated from surviving plans and documents.

This reconstruction by Evans Vettori Architects Ltd was created to provide a greater understanding and allow study of these important long lost buildings. The project was part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Great Place Scheme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. The model will help give insights to visitors and residents as an interpretative tool  allowing close-ups and comparisons with the present day. Without the virtual world, our experience of these buildings and their contribution to the World Heritage Site story could be lost.

Belper Mills c.1896 Animation

This is a 3D reconstruction of the Belper Mill Complex c.1896, just as the mill business had passed from the Strutt family to the English Sewing Cotton Company. This is before a clock tower was added to the West Mill, and long before the well-known red East Mill was built. Several of these mills and related buildings were demolished between 1959 and 1967, including William Strutt’s unique Round Mill. This reconstruction by Evans Vettori Architects Ltd, using information from many, many old photographs, was created to provide a greater understanding and allow study of these important long lost buildings. The project was part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Great Place Scheme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. The model will help give insights to visitors and residents as an interpretative tool  allowing close-ups and comparisons with the present day. Without the virtual world, our experience of these buildings and their contribution to the World Heritage Site story could be lost.

Belper Mills c.1921 Animation

This is a 3D reconstruction of the Belper Mill Complex c.1921, the year when the first aerial photograph of the mills was taken, from a hot air balloon. This includes the Jubilee Clock Tower (later demolished in 1962), South Mill (also demolished 1962) and 1854 mill chimney (demolished 1990). This reconstruction by Evans Vettori Architects Ltd, using information from many, many old photographs, was created to provide a greater understanding and allow study of these important long lost buildings. The project was part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Great Place Scheme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. The model will help give insights to visitors and residents as an interpretative tool  allowing close-ups and comparisons with the present day. Without the virtual world, our experience of these buildings and their contribution to the World Heritage Site story could be lost.

Heage Windmill

Heage Windmill video created from Matterport scanning by Cadtec. Heage Windmill volunteers are very grateful for all that Cadtec have done for them to create and enable their latest virtual instructional tour of Heage Windmill.

A short video showing the work carried out to replace the two rotten sails at Heage Windmill.

Nail Weaving with George

A simple stay at home textile craft weaving between nails. Simple nail art to make something decorative linked to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, home of the world’s first large scale, water powered, cotton spinning factories with its rich textile heritage. Also linked to the heritage of the area, particularly in Belper, for nail making.

Circular/French Knitting with George

Stay at home circular or french knitting. Done on a home made knitting loom and linked to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Jedidiah Strutt invented the Derby Rib which was the machine that put the stretchy ribbing into the top of stockings. Literally the invention that keeps your socks up! Have a go at the circular or french knitting at home.

Threading through Communities

A film by Daniella Sasaki to show the development of a contemporary textiles installation and lantern lit parade in Belper created by Seiko Kinoshita.

Belper Past and Present

A short film showing images of Belper, in the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, comparing how it used to look with how it looks now.

Milford Past and Present

A short film showing images of Milford, in the centre of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, comparing how it used to look with how it looks now.