Nine of our Grumpy Old Men have recently visited Cromford Mill, situated near the edge of Cromford village, and the northern end of the old Cromford canal.
We had booked a guide who showed us round the exhibition and buildings, and we also watched the virtual Sir Richard Arkwright telling us about how he started off in Lancashire as a barber/surgeon and wig-maker! Over 20 years or so, he built the mills at Cromford and developed the frame and spinning machines, which were powered by water.
The patents which he took out were a good money-earner in addition to the actual work output at the mills. He also built accommodation for the workers in Cromford and claimed that he was able to pay off the national debt due to his success. Workers arriving late at the start of the 12-hour shift were locked out for the day, but by the standards of the day and compared to the local alternative of lead mining, it could be argued that there were worse ways of earning a living in the late 1700s.
An interesting visit, and worth a short drive into Derbyshire. As is customary, the Grumpies then retired for lunch, to the Excavator pub near Ambergate.
Our next visit is to the Holocaust Visitor Centre at Laxton, on 24th March.