The Darley Abbey Society

What can you do with a derelict strip of land along a river, overlooking a small weir and with an 18th century silk mill on the other side of a bridge? Opinions vary, but two were very apparent: the owner of the land wanted to build on it and the Darley Abbey Society, on behalf of the entire village, most emphatically did not. The ensuing battle was a long one with successive planning applications from the owner followed by opposition from the Darley Abbey Society. In the end a truce was called where the owner sold the land to the Society, the City Council and the Riverside Authority and the City Council turned it into a riverside park.

This opened it up to the general public and to the ducks, swans and coots which regard the river as their domain. These birds must today be among the best fed in the county as the small park is a favourite place where you can sit and contemplate the world at large but you can also bring your children and superfluous bits of bread. Regardless of the weather and the time of year, there always seems to be someone there.

Next to this newly-created riverside garden was another small one belonging to the City Council, sadly not up to the standard that the villagers and the City Council have come to expect these days. Again the Darley Abbey Society fought to have this small bit of paved garden included in the new one. The Council was positive, but it took some time to find the funds. In 2001 the restoration was complete and three seats had been donated by various people in the village. We now have a long stretch of garden along the river which is the pride of the village. The Darley Abbey Society also contributed to the restoration.

The next project is to ensure that the new railings will be continued all the way up to the bridge thus creating a united waterfront.

Which all just proves that people power does work.

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