11th June 2011
Philippa and Daniel chose me to be their Derbyshire wedding photographer little knowing that I live almost within throwing distance of the famous Torr Vale Mill in New Mills, the historic venue for their Derbyshire wedding photography in early June.
The mill was built in the late 1780s and was powered by two waterwheels to spin and weave cotton. It was rebuilt in 1856 and a steam engine was added. It continued to be driven by steam and water till the 1940s when electricity took over. It was still in use producing towelling products until December 2000, the longest continuous period of cotton production in the UK. In 2000 Torr Vale Mill was depicted on Royal Mail postage stamps to commemorate the Millennium Walkway in the Torrs Gorge. From this walkway, on the opposite side of the Gorge, dramatic views of the Mill may be had. In 2001 a fire destroyed one of the main buildings of the mill.
Against all the odds and with almost no financial assistance Daniel has managed to make the mill not only sound enough to run the Chemquip business from, but also, in a very short space of time, Dan, Philippa and their friends have also managed to restore the previously derelict second floor, and this was where the wedding reception was held. Continue reading