World's 'first cotton mill town' marks 250 years

A town in Derbyshire is planning a year of special events to mark the 250th anniversary of the first water-powered cotton mill.

In 1776, Jedediah Strutt and his family created one of the world's earliest planned industrial communities, with housing, schools, farms and leisure facilities for their growing workforce in Belper, which led it to become the world's first cotton mill town.

Special events include commemorative beers, a hobby donkey race and heritage talks.

Ian Hill, chair of Belper North Mill Trust said: "It's a massive year for Belper. It was transformed from a sleepy village into an industrial powerhouse."

The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site which snakes from Matlock Bath to Derby is hailed as the birthplace of the factory system and includes the Lombe Silk Mill and Arkwright's Mill.

Mr Hill said it led to Belper becoming the world's first cotton mill town.

"The North Mill will still be open as usual from spring to the end of autumn so people can come and visit us and go on a tour," he said.

"It's a great opportunity really because it's 250 years since Jedidiah Strutt built the first cotton-spinning mill in Belper and transformed the town from a sleepy rural village into an industrial powerhouse.

"It's one of the cradles of the Industrial Revolution, Belper, less well-known perhaps than some places but we're right in the heart of a world heritage site."

Events kick off on Saturday 10 January with Belper Farmers' Market running a themed event with traders in 18th Century costumes and themed products being sold.

There will also be a range of heritage talks and walks.

Food events include a "Struttybanger" competition to come up with a new signature sausage recipe,

A book by Belper North Mill's volunteers called 'The Strutt Mills of Belper and Milford' is being launched on International World Heritage Day on 18 April.

In the summer, people can take part in 'The Hobby Donkey Derby', a race of homemade broomstick hobby donkeys to reflect the traditional 19th Century Belper Donkey Race.

The Memorial Gardens will host a parade and prizes will be given to winners of the children's and adults race as well as "best in show".

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