Day 259 Arkwright's Mills

The weather forecast wasn't good for today, with frequent heavy showers predicted. It seemed a good opportunity to sample some of Derbyshire's history - indoors.  Just a few miles from here is the small but historically very important town of Cromford.  This is where Richard Arkwright built his first large water powered cotton mill, one of the worlds first factories using innovative machinery for the bulk of the processing and division of labour of the workforce.  It was a major development at the start of the industrial revolution that transformed Britain and subsequently the rest of the world. Although Arkwright was an astute businessman he stole and patented other peoples ideas and of course the cotton trade was founded on slavery.  Very thought provoking.

Anyway we went to his first mill there which was more of an archaeological dig but nonetheless very interesting. Next we visited Masson Mills which has a museum of textile industry with the various equipment in situ and explanations.  It was a fantastic place for photography though somewhat dark & gloomy.  I really could have done with using a tripod.  I took loads of photos, particularly of the repetitive shapes and patterns there. Later, back at Rivendale Campsite we had a nice meal in the campsite pub - The Prancing Pony.  This is a really cosy stone built pub but only opens at weekends in the low season. Fortunately there were no Nazguls to bother us! The day ended back at the van with us teaching our friends the card game Cheat. I haven't played it for years and years. It's a silly game but a fun way to end a good day.

I took so many photos I've done two compilations, one of the mills interior and one of shapes and colours.  My main photo is a black and white conversion of a shot of some cogs.

Masson & Cromford Mills