World Heritage

newsIssue 14 - 2014 www.derwentvalleymills.org Preparing for electrification

AHEAD of the planned electrification of Today the vast majority of structures on the Network Rail is committed to working with the from Bedford to Stephensons’ railway in the Derwent Valley local stakeholders to achieve the best solutions by 2020, Network Rail is talking survive essentially unaltered since their for the electrification of the Midland Main Line to national and local groups regarding the construction 175 years ago. through the Derwent Valley. There have been conservation challenges for the stretch of several consultations to date with Civic line running through the Derwent Valley The main challenge facing Network Rail is to Forum and the WHS, and these will continue Mills World Heritage Site (DVMWHS). find the most sensitive and pragmatic solutions as the project moves forward. for the electrification of this historic railway The line from to Chesterfield is one of line in an early industrial landscape of See Network Rail’s supplement starting on the most important survivors of the international importance. page 5 for more information on the history of ‘pioneering phase’ of ’s railway the North , its importance in development. To begin this process, Network Rail assisted the WHS, what this means for the English Heritage in a comprehensive electrification project, and the next steps. It was designed by , with designation survey that resulted in 30 bridges, his son Robert, leading railway engineers of the viaducts and portals on the Midland NATIONALLY IMPORTANT: Derwent day, to form part of the North Midland Main Line being listed. Viaduct, , was listed Grade II* as a Railway. This line opened in 1840 as the central result of English Heritage’s designation survey, link in their grand vision for a trunk route Ten of these new listings are in the DVMWHS putting it in the top 8% of listed structures. running from North to South. and its Buffer Zone. War centenary remembered ONE HUNDRED years on The previous day, the original November 11, and for from the outbreak of World Belper War Memorial, a hollow December a community War One, activities have taken structure created around the performance event - Home place in the World Heritage Market Place lamp in 1919, For Christmas - is planned. Site to commemorate the was recreated for the first of a event and remember those number of remembrance A new website, telling the who died in the conflict. gatherings on significant stories of each Belper man centenaries over the coming killed in action during that war, Events over the summer years. was launched in August, thanks centred on Belper, where to research carried out by poppies were seeded on the About 250 people came to the Richard Pinkett, and more Chevin hillside, eventually service and placed flowers activities will be announced in spelling out ‘WWI’. around the memorial, as had coming months, not just for been done in 1919. Belper but the wider Derwent On August 4, the day of the Valley and World Heritage Site. centenary, a blessing ceremony The Belper Branch of the Royal for the poppy field was British Legion plans to plant a WE REMEMBER: The followed by an evening service memorial tree in the recreated 1919 memorial in in St Peter’s Church. Memorial Gardens on Belper Market Place.

Derwent Students Royal Pulse set deliver a visitors to flow hi-tech for John through scanning Smedley October project - Page 4 - Page 2 - Page 3 02 World Heritage News www.derwentvalleymills.org

Derwent Pulse all set for October HUNDREDS of lights will to the Matlock illuminations, and radio transmitter and receiver. cascade down the River before flowing past the mills in This allows the lights to respond Derwent in October as part Belper and Derby prior to to the landscape they pass through of Derwent Pulse - one of meeting the Trent. while echoing the industrial pulse that originated in the valley. the largest art projects Devised and led by artist Charles ever commissioned in the Monkhouse, Derwent Pulse will “This is a fantastic project that county. offer local communities the will provide a fascinating spectacle chance to shepherd the lights, as it flows down the river. It also The course (pulse) of the river will take part in helping map the gives everyone a chance to be illuminated by pulsating digital modern Derwent, or volunteer to become involved in making it spheres shepherded by riverside handle or photograph the project. happen. It’s the biggest communities from the source in commission we have attempted Bleaklow to its mouth at the And, of course, Derwent Pulse and proves how the past can be a the Arts Council for England, The Trent. will be a great audience attraction. source for artistic inspiration,” Sustainable Development Fund said Cllr Ellie Wilcox, Chair of the Throughout October, Derwent The lights that form Derwent (administered by the World Heritage Site. Pulse will flow through Bamford, Pulse are controlled by small National Park Authority) and mills Hathersage and Grindleford to circuit boards designed by Derby Derwent Pulse is a commission by in the World Heritage Site. Chatsworth Estate. The lights will Makers at the Derby Silk Mill the World For more details on the project then move south, shooting the Museum. Each light contains a Heritage Site, with support from rapids at Matlock and contributing miniature computer, GPS module visit www.derwentpulse.org DerwentWISE wants you to get involved! LAST ISSUE, we highlighted that the Heritage Lottery (HLF) funded Landscape Partnership Scheme has been given the go ahead to deliver a range of projects over the next five years. The team is now in place and comprises of Scheme Manager Tania Pells; Finance and Administration Officer Nadine Stevenson; and two Community Engagement Officers, Dave Savage (Natural Heritage) and Annice Fuller Sphere of (Cultural Heritage). The scheme and staff are hosted by Wildlife Trust who, along with 14 other partner enabled the team to start raising awareness of influence organisations, aim to inspire and engage people what they do and why. to care about the Lower Derwent Valley. SCULPTOR Rachael Carter worked with the The next community event will be part of the DVMWHS Team and Amber Valley Borough “With well over 60 projects covering Mills Discovery Days where the Council to site her latest work in the Belper landscape conservation management, training, team will be hosting a walk around Lea Wood River Gardens. heritage and the arts, there will be something and . for all ages to get involved in,” said Tania Pells, Rachel trained in Derby and designs and DerwentWISE Scheme Manager. You will also have the chance to meet the two creates works for garden and landscape community officers and sign up for settings. “The project area stretches from Matlock volunteering projects such as ‘Heritage at Risk’ Bath, through the wonderful ancient and habitat restoration. The piece ‘Bronze Grand Sphere’ was woodlands, following the River Derwent produced by hand weaving with wax lengths through the Derwent Valley Mills World The scheme will work with local people, in Rachel’s trademark woven swirls to Heritage Site right into Derby City. The schools, community groups and landowners so produce the sphere. scheme is all about getting communities if you are interested in getting involved or just involved in their surroundings and history by want to be kept informed, email the team at It was then transformed into bronze using the encouraging people to learn more and provide [email protected] or ancient ‘lost-wax’ casting process. opportunities to access this inspiring and telephone 01773 881188. It was premiered at the 100th Chelsea unique landscape.” A new website should be available by January Flower Show before being donated to the DerwentWISE and partners have already 2015, in partnership with the DVMWHS, so be River Gardens in Belper. attended three events this summer at the ECO sure to look for it after Christmas. REVEALED: Rachael watches the sphere Centre Spring Fair, Belper Goes Green and WISE TEAM: Dave, Nadine, Annice and Tania being unveiled by Councillor Mark Robertson. Inspiring Derby at the Derby Silk Mill. This - the new DerwentWISE officers. World Heritage News 03

DATA DISCOVERY: Scanning in Darley Abbey Mills, with the floor coloured by elevation, revealed the worn paths made by mill-workers as they serviced the machines, shown here in red. Students use technology to better understand the WHS TECHNOLOGY Then, Technology Now - a Valley Mills World Heritage Heritage Lottery-funded Young Roots project Site; Trent & Peak Archaeology; - was designed to engage young people and Trent University; help them understand more about why the and the two schools. area is so important. The students created a number By using cutting-edge digital technology to of projects using different record and visualise the sites, the participating technology. One involved laser students from Highfields School in Matlock scanning at Darley Abbey Mills and Belper School had an opportunity to learn to highlight the wear pattern in new skills, such as laser scanning, the floor, made by mill-workers photogrammetry, 3D modelling, 3D printing, over many years. At Leawood Pumphouse, dozens of individual game engines, animation and video editing. laser scans of the interior and exterior of the With Arkwright’s Second Mill at Cromford, building were combined to create a ‘fly- The project was developed by its six principal traditional measurements recorded with a through’ and produce a 3D-printed solid partners: Derbyshire County Council’s hand tape were fed into two types of software plastic scale model. Environmental Studies Service; the Derwent to virtually rebuild the demolished mill. At Belper North Mill, the basement level was recorded and reconstructed using a video game programme to create an explorable environment complete with moving waterwheel and machines. At Belper’s Long Row, laser scans of the interior and exterior of the workers’ housing allowed the students to create a historical ‘fly through’ of the entire street. The quality of the work produced to date by the students has been extremely high and will be used within the World Heritage Site’s attractions to assist with explanation and interpretation. All of the finished products will be available to view online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/ techthentechnow from 30 October 2014. FOR THE RECORD: Photography in the Darley Abbey Mill schoolroom (above). CREATING HISTORY: A 3D-printing of a scale model of Leawood Pumphouse (left). 04 World Heritage News www.derwentvalleymills.org

Royal visitors for John Smedley HER MAJESTY The Queen returned to care devoted to maintaining a world John Smedley Ltd after 46 years in July, renowned brand. accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, who was visiting the company for the Her Majesty was conducted on a tour of first time. the factory by Ian Maclean, Managing Director, and Charles Marsden-Smedley, The visit came one year after Her Chairman, and was shown all stages in Majesty granted the company its first the process of making fine merino Royal Warrant of Appointment for supply garments. of fine knitwear to her Household. Her Majesty also learned more about the All staff and shareholders of John history of the company from a display of Smedley were keen for Her Majesty to archive materials and witnessed a fashion see the dedication applied to developing show of the latest John Smedley their British manufacturing base, and the collections. First phase is completed THE OPENING of a new Visitor Centre for the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site at Cromford Mills has moved a step closer. Phase One of the work - to decontaminate and refurbish the largest building on the mill site - has now been completed, and the kitting out of the visitor centre, and four floors of business units above, is due to begin soon. LOOKING GOOD: Chief Executive Sarah McLeod Helping out shows the the Chair of the World Heritage Site Board Councillor Ellie Wilcox around the newly restored TV’s ‘The Mill’ building. BOTH seasons of Channel Four’s TV series ‘The Mill’ have seen authentic mill machinery in use by the cast - thanks to one of the Derwent Valley Mills. New look for Strutt’s North Mill THERE have been major Two lorry-loads of machinery from Sir changes at Strutt’s North Mill ’s Masson Mills were in Belper over the past year. taken to Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire for the filming of the series. As well as a major revamp for the main gallery and the Musuem manager Andrew Martin said: creation of a new exhibition “They took a lot of spinning mules, space, the museum has seen spindles, rollers and pulleys which you can the arrival of new manager see in the programme.” Debbie Richards and Although the borrowed items haven’t community engagement officer returned yet, the other working mules are Sue Reaney. demonstrated every day at 11am and 2pm A packed events guide has just (12 noon and 2pm Sundays). been released and is available Masson Mills are also celebrating after at the mill and in libraries and receiving a 2014 award from TripAdvisor other attractions along the for the number of five-star reviews they’ve valley. received from visitors. READY TO RECEIVE WORKING MACHINERY: One of the VISITORS: Volunteers Sheila Officer Sue Reaney with the new events guide spinning mules in Masson Mills. and Roy Hartle and Community Engagement for Strutt’s North Mill. World Heritage News 05

MIDLAND MAIN LINE ELECTRIFICATION PROPOSALS All you need to know on the history of the , its importance in the WHS, what this means for the electrification project, and Network Rail’s next steps

Putting the North Midland on the Railway Map AT AN early stage of the This is due to the exceptional to some degree, a largely Midland Railway. quality of its design and unknown aspect of our national Midland Main Line Thanks to this work, the line is electrification project, construction, its importance in the railway heritage. grand vision of its eminent already becoming better known. Network Rail appointed This is a notable contrast to Alan Baxter & Associates designers, the Stephensons, and In March 2014, the ‘little-known the remarkable extent to which it Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Great as heritage advisors. Western Railway, which was masterpiece of railway building’ has survived unaltered since was the subject of a lecture to the opening in 1840. designed and constructed at the Alan Baxter & Associates’ report same time. Victorian Society by leading on the history and significance of It is now an important part of a engineering historian Robert the route identified the former World Heritage Site designated This supplement explains how Thorne. North Midland Railway through research carried out for the for its role in the Industrial SITE INVESTIGATIONS: the Derwent Valley Mills WHS as Revolution. Midland Main Line electrification the most architecturally and project is helping to contribute to Network Rail and Alan Baxter & historically significant part of the Despite this huge significance, the a new understanding of the Associates personnel investigating Midland Main Line. North Midland Railway remains, national importance of the North the Belper Cutting. 06 World Heritage News www.derwentvalleymills.org

MIDLAND MAIN LINE ELECTRIFICATION PROPOSALS

The North Midland Railway THE NORTH Midland Frederick Swanwick, to see the to and via Wakefield Humber basins, is a mile long. project through to completion in to . This route meant that Railway Company was Despite these difficulties, the formed by a group of 1840. heavy civil engineering works were required. structures on the North Midland investors who wanted to The Stephensons and Swanwick Railway were beautifully designed connect the industrial areas designed the North Midland It was necessary for the in the landscape, nowhere more of Derbyshire and Railway line to have gradients no contractors to move an average of so than the Derwent Valley. They with the south of the greater than 1 in 250 to suit the 131,000 cubic yards of earth for were also incredibly well built: the country. limited power of contemporary each of the 72 miles that it impressive extent to which the steam locomotives. travelled (as a comparison, the line from Derby to Chesterfield is In 1835, they commissioned the rival preserved today is unusually rare famous engineer George To achieve such gradients the line from to Derby and for a railway of this date. Stephenson to survey the route from Derby followed the River Nottingham required just 95,000). from Derby to Leeds. Derwent as far as Ambergate and AN ENGINEERING LEGACY: then ran through more difficult Furthermore, the line had seven Strutt’s Bridge at Belper (above) George later appointed his son terrain up the valley of the River ; the one created at Clay and the North Robert, who was helped closely Amber via Wingfield and , through the watershed Portal (below). by the Assistant Engineer Cross to Chesterfield, then over between the Trent and the World Heritage News 07

MIDLAND MAIN LINE ELECTRIFICATION PROPOSALS Research brings greater knowledge of historic structures

BECAUSE no comprehensive Archives and Parliamentary Archives This included the existence of cuttings were constructed 175 history of the North Midland in . important original contract drawings years ago. Railway has been written, it held by the Midland Railway Study As well as this research, several Centre. BELPER CUTTING: Thanks to the was necessary for Alan residents of the Derwent Valley discovery of drawings such as King Baxter & Associates to carry have come forward with important Amazingly, Network Rail does not Street Bridge (above), the project out research on original leads regarding new sources of have drawings of many of the North team (below) has been able to records and drawings held in information. Midland Railway structures, because determine the depth of the stone- archives across the country. they were so well built that they lining, which is in fact a decorative Many of these sources had not been have not required repair. facing, not a structural retaining These ranged from the National previously published (or even wall. King Street Bridge drawing Railway Museum in to the properly catalogued) and have been These beautiful, ink-washed ©Midland Railway Study Centre. Midland Railway Study Centre in of immense help to the Network drawings are invaluable in revealing Derby’s Silk Mill and the National Rail project team. how bridges, viaducts, tunnels and 08 World Heritage News www.derwentvalleymills.org

MIDLAND MAIN LINE ELECTRIFICATION PROPOSALS The Strutt family and the North Midland Railway THE HISTORIC character Strutts’ empire had grown under course of the River Derwent, influenced the course of the line of the section of the Jedediah’s three sons William, which powered their mills. which was authorised by the first Derwent Valley Mills that George and Joseph into a thriving Parliamentary Bill of July 1836. and profitable complex of mills This conflict resulted in several the Midland Main Line disputes with the North Midland The North Midland Railway travels through rests largely and workers’ settlements in Belper, Milford and Derby. Railway, which was forced to engineers were not satisfied with upon the achievements of propose several different routes the curvature of this route, and so one pioneering family of Precisely why the Strutts opposed through the Derwent Valley, it was rectified by an Act for industrialists, the Strutts. the North Midland Railway is not delaying the construction of the Deviations passed in May 1837, known, but it seems likely that line. which took the line through the By the time the North Midland they thought it might disrupt the centre of Belper in a deep cutting. Railway was surveyed in 1835, the Most significantly, the Strutts Negotiating alternative routes with the Strutts

BY piecing together research from different archives, Alan Baxter & Associates has tried to assemble the definitive story of the North Midland Railway and the Strutts. They would love to hear from anyone with further information. 1. December 1835: An alternative route to the east, by Holbrook, is suggested by the Strutts. 2. July 1836: The ‘Milford Deviation’, which crosses the Derwent south of Milford and curves around the west of Belper, is agreed with the Strutts and authorised by the Act of Parliament for the North Midland Railway. 3. May 1837: The ‘Milford Deviation’ is unsatisfactory to the North Midland Railway engineers and a further deviation to the line through Duffield, Milford and Belper is agreed and approved by Parliament. This is the line of the North Midland Railway as built. World Heritage News 09

MIDLAND MAIN LINE ELECTRIFICATION PROPOSALS Uncovering the mysteries of the Toadmoor Tunnel TOADMOOR Tunnel in Ambergate is a highly unusual railway structure. Not only was the tunnel—unlike others designed by the Stephensons—constructed to a remarkable flattened ellipse profile, but it also has a series of 12 cast-iron rings inserted at its southern end. Research at the Parliamentary Archives shows that, when questioned on the suitability of tunnelling there, the North Midland Railway’s Assistant Engineer Frederick Swanwick had expected the conditions to be ‘very favourable’. However, it seems that things were not so straightforward when work began on site. Network Rail carried out a visual inspection of the tunnel with Alan Baxter & Associates and English Heritage to investigate the reasons behind its unusual design. It appears that what Swanwick had predicted as sturdy coal strata was, in fact, a wet shale bed. When excavations began, a large landslide was triggered. This is still dramatically visible today in Thatcher’s Wood to the east of the tunnel. The engineers then decided to proceed by the cut-and-cover method: spoil was removed, stone retaining walls were built and a brick arch was thrown over the top, forming the unusual elliptical profile. A second landslip some time later may have been the cause of subsequent deformation that caused the 12 iron rings and additional brickwork to be inserted near the south end of the tunnel. LOOKING INTO TOADMOOR TUNNEL: Network Rail and English Heritage site investigations in June 2014. 10 World Heritage News www.derwentvalleymills.org

MIDLAND MAIN LINE ELECTRIFICATION PROPOSALS Achieving railway electrification THE ELECTRIFICATION of approximately 50m apart the Midland Main Line will (although there is some flexibility be achieved by Overhead in spacing). Line Equipment, or OLE. The wires themselves are Although electrification of Britain’s normally about 1500m long and railways has sometimes been tensioned at either end. To ensure provided by the third rail system, no loss of power to the this is now technologically pantograph, adjoining sections of obsolete. wire overlap for about 180m. Operationally, environmentally Installing OLE on existing lines can and from the perspective of public require alterations to bridges, safety, OLE is the preferred viaducts, stations and other means of powering trains structures. There are three throughout the world. primary reasons for this: gauge clearance, public safety and mast In OLE, masts and gantries fixings. support the overhead wire carrying the power: the contact Bridges over the line and tunnels wire. The power is then must achieve increased clearances transmitted from the contact wire for passing trains and the wires to the train by a sprung above them (right). ‘pantograph’, which is attached to If it is not possible to alter the the roof of the moving train. existing structure accordingly, Station canopies may also need to that bridge parapets will have to then it may have to be demolished be cut back. Better safety be raised to prevent contact with To carry the overhead wires, standards for the public means electric wires (below). masts must be spaced and replaced, or ‘reconstructed’.

Viaduct fixings MAST fixings are required on any viaduct longer than about 60 metres. If the viaduct is of architectural or historical interest, it may be appropriate to erect bespoke designs that respond to the particular character of the structure and its setting. This has been done before, for example on Stephenson’s Royal Border Bridge at Berwick (pictured left). World Heritage News 11

MIDLAND MAIN LINE ELECTRIFICATION PROPOSALS

Conserving the Midland Main Line in the Derwent Valley THE STRETCH of the Midland Main consistent high quality design and careful Atkins is carrying out a full Landscape Visual Line that runs through the DVMWHS detailing of the railway structures completed Impact Assessment, the conclusions of which is the most architecturally and for the North Midland Railway’, was listed at will be taken into account by the project team. the higher Grade II*. historically important part of George A Phase One habitat survey has been and ’s North Furthermore, the Midland Main Line is commissioned to identify species under the Midland Railway. identified as a physical attribute of the WHS. Wildlife and Countryside Act, and Network Rail is working closely with Natural England on Because of this, electrification here is being This is because it makes a visually and the usual license requirements for this. given special consideration by the project historically prominent contribution to its team. There are 22 listed railway bridges, ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ as an early A vegetation clearance strategy is also viaducts and tunnel portals in the WHS and its industrial landscape of international currently being produced to keep vegetation a Buffer Zone: ten of these were listed after the importance. safe distance from overhead wires. Details on designation review that was carried out by specific areas will be clarified with lineside English Heritage. Network Rail, Atkins, the lead project residents in due course. engineers, and Alan Baxter & Associates, These new listings include two impressive, heritage advisors to the project, are working to In addition, Network Rail and the WHS triple-arched bridges over the line in the develop a sensitive, bespoke solution for the Partnership are discussing the possibility of northern outskirts of Derby (research has provision of OLE and associated works which enhanced vegetation clearance in certain areas shown that the outer arches were built to meet necessary operational and safety to open up lost views from the train. house drainage channels) and six bridges in the requirements while minimising visual and sequence through Belper (between Milford physical impact. MINIMISING IMPACT: How the masts and Tunnel and Belper Pool). wires necessary for OLE can be intelligently The important ecology and landscape of the integrated into the landscape of the Derwent The five-span skewed viaduct over the Derwent Valley is being considered by other Valley, including lineside vegetation clearance Derwent and the A6 at Ambergate, described project consultants appointed by Network Rail. to open up lost views from the train. by English Heritage as demonstrating ‘the 12 World Heritage News www.derwentvalleymills.org

MIDLAND MAIN LINE ELECTRIFICATION PROPOSALS

Planning the next steps NETWORK Rail is committed to This analysis is likely to be complete in the next be carried out in the WHS, with publication of continued dialogue with the few months. the Atkins Landscape Visual Impact Assessment likely at the end of 2014. DVMWHS Partnership and Belper Network Rail has voluntarily committed to Civic Forum as internal design options undertaking a WHS Heritage Impact The Vegetation Management Report will be are developed. Assessment. shared with local authorities via the WHS Partnership Forum. Vegetation works are likely These will be refined through public This will follow advice from ICOMOS, the to begin in autumn 2015, with specific consultations in early 2015, with the intention international body that reports to UNESCO, applications and notifications for tree clearance of submitting the first Listed Building Consent ‘to evaluate effectively the impact of potential in the Belper, Duffield and Ambergate areas. applications in summer 2015, for works to development on the Outstanding Universal commence in 2016–17. Value’. Main image ©Dr Anthony Streeten/English Heritage Preliminary survey work in the Derwent Valley The scope of the Heritage Impact Assessment is currently being undertaken to inform the is being agreed in advance with ICOMOS UK KEEPING PEOPLE INFORMED: A packed work of Atkins, the lead project engineers, and and the WHS Partnership. venue (below) for the second of two guide them in designing the best engineering consultation presentations organised through solutions. Landscape and ecology surveys will continue to the Belper Civic Forum, held in July 2014. World Heritage News 13

Volunteers develop a greater understanding ALTHOUGH the Heritage Lottery Funded DVMWHS Volunteer project has ended, volunteers across the WHS continue to meet regularly to find out about changes at the attractions within the valley. Every few months a guided tour is arranged for a different location and the volunteers are updated on new developments, so they in turn can let visitors know. Keeping to one location on each tour allows the volunteers more time to find out what there is to see and do. Previously, the volunteers have visited Milford, Heage Windmill and Darley Abbey. The most recent tours included a visit to the Silk Mill in Derby where they were shown the developments and changes that had taken place since it reopened, and met volunteers working on the ‘Remake the Museum’ programme, designing and building new furniture for the museum. The last tour was a boat trip along the Cromford Canal. Around 30 volunteers joined the Friends of Cromford Canal on their ‘Birdswood’ boat from to Leawood Pumphouse and back again. During the trip, the group found out about historical points of interest and saw the very organised, but compact, living quarters on the boat. There are more tours planned over the coming months to keep volunteers informed. MAKING CHANGES: Volunteers hear about the latest improvements to the Silk Mill (top). BY BOAT: Volunteers on ‘Birdswood’ (right). Managing climate change in the DVMWHS THE LANDSCAPES of Derbyshire Planners and policy-makers are for early industrial development The project will involve partners bear witness to changes in the now starting to develop strategies correspond to environments from the Universities of Hull and earth’s climate, but in recent years to deal with the effects upon the where geomorphological and London (Birkbeck College) and these natural cycles of change historic environment of extreme geological processes are sensitive will draw together a variety of have been disrupted by the impact rainfall and flooding. to climate change. geomorphological, archaeological, of industrialisation and spiralling historical and environmental fossil fuel consumption. A £52,000 project to develop a The vulnerability of the Derwent datasets for the Core and Buffer strategy for the DVMWHS is one Valley to environmental disaster is Zones of the World Heritage Site. It is now acknowledged that of several pilot studies, funded by exacerbated by its rich history of greenhouse gas emissions are English Heritage, aimed at metal and mineral mining, as the These will be supplemented by causing irrevocable changes to our identifying environmental threats valley sides and floodplain retain a computer modelling of river climate system. to historic environments. legacy of contamination that is evolution to identify areas that are vulnerable to re-deposition by vulnerable to future Whilst their precise impact upon The Outstanding Universal Value flooding and erosion. environmental change. climate remain uncertain, it seems of the World Heritage Site rests likely that both the frequency and upon its internationally important The project aims to understand The outputs from this project will intensity of severe weather events industrial heritage, which in view how the natural environment of inform the developing research will increase, with extremes of of its topographic location is the valley has responded to and management frameworks of temperatures and rainfall particularly vulnerable to the climate change over the last the DVMWHS Partnership and becoming commonplace. impact of climate change upon millennium and to use this will provide wider lessons for flood frequency and magnitude. information to assist in predicting assessing the threats to historic Looking at recent years, it seems future environmental assets in the light of climate that we are starting to experience Paradoxically, many of the developments. change. the consequences already! locations that were advantageous 14 World Heritage News www.derwentvalleymills.org

Housing concerns AMBER Valley Borough Council has been nearby was turned down at Appeal, with the looking at changes to the Core Strategy impact the housing would have on the setting within its Local Plan, and three additional of the World Heritage Site as a key reason for sites proposed for housing allocation in refusal. Belper have raised particular concern for being within the Derwent Valley Mills The site visit also revealed that different parts World Heritage Site (DVMWHS) or its of the allocations carry various degrees of Buffer Zone. sensitivity in relation to the potential impact on the landscape setting of the WHS. The Core Strategy was examined by an independent Inspector appointed by the It was felt that the present extent of the Secretary of State, earlier this year. housing allocation site is not acceptable, and those views have been submitted to the The Inspector considered it necessary to Borough Council for consideration. suspend the examination of the Core Strategy to enable the Council to carry out certain A third site, off Derwent Street, Belper, falls pieces of further work, including identifying within the Derwent Valley Mills World further sites for housing development. Heritage Site and is a brownfield site in need of redevelopment. It has been established, with Whilst there are a number of planning and thanks to a Supplementary Planning Document development issues relating to the proposed adopted in 2013, that a sensitive mixed-use sites, the World Heritage Site Partnership is would be most appropriate for the Site, limited to commenting on the impacts on the including housing. Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the DVMWHS. The World Heritage Site Partnership accepts this recommendation, but feels the master plan New items for A site visit was made to two proposed housing for the whole site recommended in the allocation sites at Bullsmoor, Cherry House Supplementary Planning Document is desirable Farm and Pottery Farm, Belper by members of and necessary. Housing could form a the archive the Conservation and Planning Panel. considerable component, subject to impacts on OUV. A LARGE number of documents, maps and Serious consideration was given to the photographs relating to the English Sewing potential impact of development on the A decision has yet to be made over the Cotton Company, which ran the Masson, Outstanding Universal Value, particularly as a inclusion of these sites in the housing Belper and Milford Mills from 1897 until recent application for residential development allocation. 1991, has been given to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Partnership. These fascinating items about the mills were kindly donated to the Partnership by the last manager of the Derwent Valley Mills, Tony Bowker. The collection has been deposited at the Derbyshire Record Office in Matlock, under the accession number 4431, and should be available for public viewing by the end of the year. IN THE ARCHIVE: One of the photographs in the collection shows the old waterwheel at Masson Mill. New fish pass

THE TRENT Rivers Trust has successfully 20th anniversary for twinning sought funding and installed a new fish DURING the World Heritage Site Discovery 1994, so the President of Blackstone Valley passage at Darley Abbey. Days weekend in July, representatives of Council Bob Billington and Director of Belper’s twin town Pawtucket, in Rhode Island, Operations Natalie Carter, with Bob’s partner After extensive discussions with the World USA, came to visit and enjoy the festivities. Debra, were invited to a celebratory evening Heritage Site team, they were able to install at Strutt’s North Mill, before dropping in on a structure which had no impact on the It was exactly 20 years since the two towns some of the 28 Discovery Days events which Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the were twinned, to celebrate historic links took place over the following weekend. Site. forged early in the Industrial Revolution, when Samuel Slater took the secrets of mass TWENTY YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP: Bob, Proposals are now being developed for the produced cotton spinning from Belper to Debra and Natalie with representatives from weirs at Milford and Belper, with the latter’s Pawtucket. Amber Valley Borough Council, Belper Town Horseshoe Weir being the greatest Council and Strutt’s North Mill, at the event challenge, particularly if there is to be no The Borough of Amber Valley was also officially welcoming them back to Belper. impact on OUV. twinned with Blackstone Valley, Rhode Island in World Heritage News 15

Framework for future research A £33,000 English Heritage funded The workshops attracted staff from the DVMWHS Director Mark Suggitt said: “I am project to produce a framework to universities of Derby, Exeter, Nottingham, the delighted with the way this project has promote future research into the Site Open University and Sheffield. developed over the last year. It has once again demonstrated how fascinated and committed has continued to develop throughout Also represented were museums, local groups 2014. people are to learning more about what and individual researchers, demonstrating the happened here and its impact on society. Led by David Knight from Trent Peak broad interest in the history of the Site. “Once completed, we hope this document will Archaeology/York Archaeological Trust, a series This group of people are now writing short of workshops were held through the year to inspire individuals and academic institutions to introductions to each objective for inclusion in further our understanding of the Valley and its produce a series of eleven themes, divided into the final document. 52 specific research objectives. people.” Understanding the Buffer Zone New plan The DVMWHS submitted its management Barry Joyce, who chairs the World Heritage plan for 2014 to 2019 to English Heritage at Site Conservation and Planning Panel, the beginning of the year and it has now been explains why the Derwent Valley Mills has a sent on to the Department of Culture, Media Buffer Zone, and what it is designed to do. and Sport and UNESCO for final approval. One of the most important aims and The plan outlines how the Site will be objectives of the World Heritage Site managed over the next five years and Management Plan is protection of the identifies key projects within its main aims. Site’s setting. It is the result of consultation with a wide Why? Well one of the reasons UNESCO range of people and organisations within the put the Derwent Valley Mills on The area. We hope to gain final approval later in World Heritage List was because the mills the year. and their associated settlements remain in Once approved, the document will be a largely rural landscape - as they were in available as a download on our new website. Georgian and Victorian times. Because of this they provide a sense of how remarkable it must have been for rural England to have these revolutionary new New website operations - factories - springing up in an Working in partnership with the agricultural landscape. DerwentWISE project, we are developing a new website which will be ready to go live in Because cotton spinning moved, early on, the New Year. It will feature a more visual to the pioneer mills and mill and user-friendly design that will guide communities of the Derwent Valley visitors to all areas of the Site. became arrested in time, largely unaltered by the changing dynamics of further The new website will carry information about industrialisation and urbanisation. all the DerwentWISE projects and events as well as those organised by the World It is therefore of vital importance that the Heritage Partnership. setting of the Derwent Valley Mills remains rural. The respective local planning authorities have adopted policies to ensure this happens. We have moved The DVMWHS Team have moved offices at In order to be as clear as possible as to County Hall. Our new address is: Derwent what constitutes the Site’s immediate Valley Mills World Heritage Site, c/o setting a buffer zone has been defined. Economy, Transport and Environment, North This has been endorsed by UNESCO. Block, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire, The buffer zone extends from skyline to DE4 3AG. skyline at the northernmost part of the Our e-mails and telephone numbers remain Site, at and Cromford. As unchanged. The main contact number is the Valley’s steep sides flatten out 01629 536831 or email info@ towards the south the extent of the buffer derwentvalleymills.org zone is reduced. The eastern part of the town of Belper is included because it sits on rising ground. John moves on The Site’s wider setting cannot be so MAPPED OUT: The Learning Co-ordinator John Rogers left the readily zoned and here potential impacts Derwent Valley Mills World Derwent Valley MillsTeam in May. of exceptionally tall structures, such as Heritage Site in yellow, WHS director Mark Suggitt said: “Our thanks wind turbines, will be considered on a with the surrounding to John for all his work over the past two case by case basis. Buffer Zone in green. years and we wish him every success.” World Heritage News Issue 14 - 2014 www.derwentvalleymills.org Year of Discovery in the Derwent Valley FOR ten days in May, people were pulling on enthusiasm to ensure a whole range of walks all abilities and interests, and the positive their boots, donning rain hats or sunglasses, were available. feedback from walkers has been and setting off on one or more of 70 walks overwhelming.” along the valley. “It’s been great to see so many people putting their best foot forward to mix healthy exercise No sooner was the festival over than the The World Heritage Site’s second Discovery with a chance to discover the World Heritage World Heritage Site team unveiled plans for Walks Festival took in plenty of sunshine and Site’s amazing story,” said Councillor Ellie Discovery Days weekends in July (at Belper) showers, and had an increased turnout and Wilcox, who chairs the World Heritage Site and September (in Darley Abbey and Derby), very positive feedback from participants. Board. which both proved successful, and ending with the usual week of activities in October (see A large number of dedicated World Heritage “Thanks to so many voluntary leaders and below). volunteers offered their knowledge and stewards, we had a packed programme to suit All set for another week of events Following on from the with the festival. With vintage vehicles and huge success of 2013, this open houses, as well as events During the week, there’s a strong for the Hallowe’en period, year’s Discovery Days programme of speakers giving Festival will be held during there’s a host of things for all talks about a whole range of ages to enjoy. the half term holiday from heritage topics. Saturday 25 October to For the full programme of The final weekend, centred on Sunday 2 November. events (right), pop in to your the Cromford area, will be as local library or one of the There will be over 80 different busy as ever, with one of the mills for the festival booklet, activities taking place across the highlights this year being the new take a look at the www. DVMWHS covering a variety of Friends of Cromford Canal boat, derwentvalleymills.org walks, talks, events and opening ‘Birdswood’. The boat will be website or ring 01629 of historic buildings. horse-drawn for the weekend, as 536831 for details and to the Friends celebrate canal book. As in previous years, many traditions, supported by displays, activities will be free of charge to stalls and traditional crafts in the ON THE CANAL: The visitors, although we will be Gothic Warehouse at Cromford Friends of Cromford asking the public for donations, Wharf. Canal boat ‘Birdswood’. to help ensure we can continue

Distributed throughout the Published by: Contact for editorial and Contributing to this issue were Derwent Valley Mills World The Derwent Valley Mills sponsorship enquiries: Mark Suggitt, Adrian Farmer, Heritage Site. Partnership, Mark Suggitt – Sukie Khaira, David Strange- c/o Derbyshire County Director Walker, Gwen Wilson, Andy J Produced with Council, Matlock, E-mail: mark.suggitt@ Howard, David Knight, Barry Derbyshire. derbyshire.gov.uk Joyce and Alan Baxter & the support of Associates. Network Rail Tel 01629 536831