Belper's 250th Birthday
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.
“You Create” Art Competition – Belper & Duffield Rotary
Theme: Belper 250 – Belper Past, Present and Future
We’re excited to share an amazing opportunity for children and young people aged 5 to 17 years to take part in the “You Create” Art Competition, organised by Belper and Duffield Rotary.
There are five categories to choose from:
- Cartoons / Anime
- Writing
- Photography
- Reel / Film Making
- Art
Key details:
- The theme for all entries is “Belper 250 – Belper Past, Present and Future.”
- Deadline: All entries must be submitted by 24th February 2026.
- Entries can be brought into school.
- Full details, rules and entry forms are available at www.you-create.co.uk or in the document attached below.
We’d love to see as many of our pupils as possible get involved in this creative celebration of Belper!
Two events are already planned to be added to your calendar
- ‘Hobby Donkey’ Derby – Making Workshops: Hobby Donkey’ Parade: Sunday 2nd August 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.
- 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.