Derby - Darley Abbey Part 3
w/e 27 April 2008
All this week's pictures were taken with a Kodak DX6490

Our third and final part of the walk around the Darley Fields/Darley Abbey area of Derby sees us leaving the old village to cross the river again and pass through its industrial heritage back to the Rugby Club.

Landscaped Area

We begin this final leg of our walk at a small landscaped area at the side of the River Derwent. This pleasant spot situated off Darley Street opposite The Square where we concluded Part 2 contains a number of seats, paved and grassed areas and numerous shrubs, small trees and other plants.
By The River

The landscaped area also contains an information board which gives a wealth of historical information particularly about the buildings on the other side of the river. If history is not your thing, the area is still a delightful place to watch the antics of the waterfowl that frequent this stretch of the water.
Cotton Mills

But it is the history of Darley Abbey that has earned its inclusion in the fifteen mile stretch of the valley that is the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Although there are only a few remnants of what was the most powerful and richest abbey in Derbyshire, it is the industrial heritage that is of interest today. It was in 1778 that Thomas Evans acquired the land on the opposite side of the river and began the construction of his cotton mills.
Toll Bridge

Access to the mills is via a toll bridge but the amount of the toll (£1.00) has faded and no-one appeared to be collecting any tolls from the many vehicles that crossed in both directions.
Weir

The mills were originally water-powered with weirs creating the head of water to drive the machines. Steam power was later employed to supplement the water power but it was the call on the water here that deprived the mill at the end of Folly Road that we passed in Part 1.
Boar's Head Mills

Boar's Head MillsThe Evans family retained an interest in the mills from their inception until the death in 1903 of Walter Evans II and it was the family crest which contained a boar's head that gave rise to the complex becoming known as the Boar's Head Mills. There were five mills in total plus a number of other buildings housing offices, warehouses and bobbin shops amongst others. The mills producing a variety of cottons and yarns, had markets in Europe and North America and production was run by the Peacock family from 1905 until 1943. The mills were then acquired by the Coats Viyella Group and stayed in production until the 1960s.
Buffalo

The narrow road wends its way through the site but today the buildings are occupied mainly by engineering and light industrial businesses although I did also see a sign proclaiming the Darley Mill Pottery (left). We are now almost at the end of the walk but in a field (right) nearly opposite the end of Folly Road is a sight not mentioned in any of the various publications describing walks in this area. The field is the home of an African or Cape Buffalo - not a common occurrence in the Derbyshire countryside.


Two to three months after completing this walk, it was reported both locally and nationally that the buffalo had suffered a number of attacks by persons unknown who had thrown stones at him causing damage to his face, set his hay on fire and put washing up liquid in his drinking water.

It transpired that his name is Oink and he is really a very docile creature - unless provoked of course. Animal lovers everywhere were outraged by his treatment and offers of help both financial and practical came flooding in.


Update Friday December 13th 2013 - It was announced today that Oink who was 22 years old had died.
See Derby Evening Telgraph article.

Derby Rugby Club

Our walk ends at the home of the Tigers, the Derby Rugby Football Club where the clubhouse is open to the general public and members alike so if you time you walk correctly as we did, you can take advantage of an extensive menu or choose from a selection of beers, wines and soft drinks as well as tea and coffee. Whether it's a specially designed five course meal or just a chip butty or a bacon cob, your meal and drinks can be enjoyed in the clubhouse "Haslams" or outside on the terrace.
Back to Part 02

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