Poplar Row, Darley Abbey, Derbyshire
Much sort after property with big price tags…that may be the case today but these terraced houses and there neighbours had a very humble beginning.
They were built for Mill Workers in the nearby Mill Darley Cotton Mill complex. The mill dates back to the 1700’s and the houses above are just some of about 130 houses of various sizes and style built by the mill owners, the Evans Family. Over about 50 years they built in effect a factory village complete with school and the usual village amenities.
Look at the top floor and the row of windows…shorter than the lower floors. Invariably in these workers houses that top floor was one long work room, often for weaving and spinning.
Not all the houses were as large and that variety adds some extra charm to the village. But the majority are in the terrace style…
Darley Street Cottages
Darley Mills, like most of the mills of that era required a guaranteed supply source of water. Darley Mills is just one mill complex built alongside Derbyshire’s River Derwent. Darley Mills is part of the UNESCO Derwent Valley World Heritage Site.
Darley Mills and the River Derwent, Derby
World Heritage status has attracted many visitors but don’t rush to explore the interior. Darley Mills has not been a working mill for many years and has had a reincarnation as a business complex for many smaller companies. There is a Restaurant and a Wedding Venue but otherwise todays businesses range from Insurance Companies, Martial Arts Studios, Tool and Pattern Makers and Motor Engineering specialist.
I hope you like my suggestion for this weeks B&W Photo Challenge.
You can see what others have suggested on this link:-
https://ceenphotography.com/2017/12/07/cees-black-white-photo-challenge-houses-2/
8th December
(C) David Oakes 2017
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 