In 2026 Belper celebrates 250 years since the first cotton mill opened in Belper
Georgina Greaves the assistant co-ordinator of this year long celebration writes -
It is the 250th anniversary of the first cotton mill opening in Belper. It will be 300 years since the birth of Jedidiah Strutt, the man who transformed Belper into the world’s first cotton mill town. It is also 25 years since the Derwent Valley Mills became a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Activities and events will take place from January 2026 right through to December 2026 and include everything from re-establishing Belper traditions like the donkey parades – but this time using hand crafted ‘hobby donkeys’!, food, dance, music, a flotilla of river worthy vessels paddling up the River Derwent, walks, talks, exhibitions and much more.
Two events are already planned to be added to your calendar
- ‘Hobby Donkey’ Derby – Making Workshops: On Saturday 25th July next year a ‘Hobby Donkey Derby’ is scheduled. This will revive the Donkey Races that used to happen around the town but rather than riding donkeys people will create their own ‘hobby horse/donkey’ to ride in the parade. Again, we’re currently seeking funding for workshops but if you’d be interested in your pupils having opportunity for an artist to come in and make ‘Hobby Donkeys’ for them to enter the parade then let me know and we can try and schedule this in.
- River Cruise and Celebration of the River Derwent: On Saturday 2nd May 2026 there will be a flotilla of River worthy crafts paddling from the River Gardens in Belper up to Ambergate and back again. Alongside this we are hoping to have music, dance, stands and information celebrating the River Derwent in the River Gardens. If your pupils would be interested in hosting their own stand or creating work about the river to show at this outdoor event please let me know and we can work together on how this might be appropriate for your particular age and ability of pupils.