Walking tour of John Smedley, Lea Mills

Many thanks to John Smedley Archivist, Jane, for leading a walking tour of the mill complex at Lea Mills yesterday afternoon.

Jane highlighted many of the architectural features of the oldest operating textile mill in the world, which is an important part of @derwentvalleymillswhs

Peter Nightingale and his associate, John Smedley, founded the company in 1784. Lea Bridge provided an ideal setting for the mill, as the brook that ran through the village provided motive power and a constant source of running water.

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