In a fully-illustrated talk, historian Dr Peter Collinge discusses the life of Ellen Morewood of Alfreton Park, a formidable businesswoman in Georgian Derbyshire. As a coalmine owner and ironstone extractor, Morewood exercised significant authority over her estates. Twice married and vastly wealthy, she had her portrait painted by George Romney and Joseph Wright, fought lengthy legal battles with Benjamin Outram and invested in Cromford Canal. In an age dominated by men, Ellen Morewood was determined to control and manage life on her own terms.

Venue: No. 28, Market Place, Belper, DE56 1FZ
Time: Doors open at 7pm with refreshments available, (talk 7.30pm – 8.30pm).
Cost:Tickets are £5 per person
Booking: Book your ticket here wegottickets.com/cromfordmills

This is one talk in a series of collaborative events between the Arkwright Society and Belper North Mill, looking to reveal interesting aspects of local heritage. Six evening talks, from March through to October, will alternate between venues in Cromford and Belper.
Find out more about the Highlighting Heritage series.