May 2022 event @ Strutts

Saturday May 21 2022 saw the first Our Belper Mills public engagement event, which was extremely well attended with over 150 visitors during the day. 

Held at Strutts Community centre, we invited responses to 6 Big Questions, outlined on flip charts around the school hall, so that people could make their feelings known and have their opinions recorded. Other features included a display of images of successful mill rescue and development projects locally and regionally, an outline of the planning proposal, a mill themed children’s activity table and a display of mill stories and memories.

The successful event, featured in local news, proved that the mills continue to be a subject close to our hearts.  As OBM membership and support continues  to grow, we look forward to other events that will  follow in the future.

Agree or disagree with what others think? Let us know how you feel about the Mills and what you think should be done on on our Have your Say page.

The six questions

At the event we asked six simple questions 

QUESTION 1  ‘Feelings’

When you look at the Belper Mills complex right now, how does it make you feel?

QUESTION 2  ‘Ownership’

Do you think any future development of the Belper Mills complex should be a community enterprise/private ownership/joint venture/something else?

QUESTION 3   ‘Involvement’

Who should be involved in the future of the Belper Mills complex?

QUESTION 4    ‘Use’

How would you like to see the complex used?

QUESTION 5   ‘Community Context’ – Mill Memories

Tell us about your personal stories or connections to the people and the building.

QUESTION 6    ‘Concerns’

Voice your concerns about the implications of possible future development – or loss, of the complex.   Do the mills matter?  Why?