Cromford Wharf: A History

A NEW publication, Cromford Wharf: A History, has been published by Hugh Potter.

Lockdown has given Friends of the Cromford Canal’s (FFC) Archivist, Hugh Potter, extra time to delve into the documents and images held in the FCC’s extensive archives and to assemble a selection of them into this new fully illustrated booklet.

Summarises the story

It summarises the story of the area and reveals previously unknown information about one of Derbyshire’s most popular tourist destinations. It turns out it could have looked a lot different.

From the outset this was a place of arguments and disputes, initially caused by Sir Richard Arkwright; if he had had his way the wharf would not be where it is today but closer to the road bridge across the Derwent.

Fortunately the canal company ignored him (at the expense of having to pay him compensation)!

Plans to move the wharf

Fifty years later, when the railway was being built through the valley, there were plans to move the wharf half a mile down the canal and give the original terminus land back to the Arkwrights'.

Thankfully, this did not take place.  But most striking perhaps, and most recent, is that there were plans to fill in much of the canal basin that leads to the Gothic Warehouse; again, thankfully, these were not acted upon.

The story of the wharf with its two warehouses, the Feeder Arm, the weir and sluices in Cromford mill yard—and some buildings that no longer exist—are all featured, and illustrated with historic maps and photographs.

Will learn much

Anyone who knows or plans to visit the wharf will learn much from this definitive 24 page full colour guide.

Copies cost just £3 (plus £1 p&p) and are available from the online shop at www.birdswood.org, or
you can send a cheque for £4 payable to ‘Friends of the Cromford Canal’ to Yvonne Shattower, 264
Bennett Street, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 4JA.