The Arkwright Trust in the UK has received £199,093 in funding from Severn Trent for the refurbishment of the historic Cromford Mills project.
The project – which also received funding from Derbyshire County Council – will include the creation of a new visitor experience, reinstatement of a waterwheel and installation of a turbine which will provide the site with renewable energy.
"This is a fantastic project to return waterpower to the mill that created the first factory system at the start of the Industrial Revolution,” commented Simon Gill, the Arkwright Society's Operations Director. “As part of our drive to transform Cromford Mills into a more sustainable and greener site, we hope this project will spark more interest in sustainable energy sources and inspire people working on other heritage sites to play a part in shaping the future of our world. We are also looking forward to connecting the project with Cromford Village and working with the local community”.
This grant contributes to Severn Trent’s ambition of donating £10 million from its Community Fund between 2020 and 2025, supporting new projects by local charities and community groups.
