The fossil fuelled Industrial Revolution started in the Derwent Valley. Derby and the wider region continues to be a leading force in manufacturing with a cluster of companies with global reach and reputation. As Derwent valley clockmakers for the last 250 years or so they cut the gears that enabled a global transformation of the climate. As a writer and academic thats worked on climate change for decades Ill share my reflections on the moment were in, the transformations ahead, and the critical role of entrepreneurship, business, and imagination, in helping humanity to a better place. "Im only half joking when I note that you couldnt have transformed the planet over the last couple of hundred years without my relatives." Joe is Director of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS). He is also a fifth-generation Director of Smith of Derby Ltd., a 160-year-old public clock making company that continues to design and make new commissions all over the world, and looks after 4500 sites across the UK. Prior to the RGS role he was Professor of Environment and Society and head of geography at the Open University. This is an exclusive event for members of the Derby Museums Business Network.

As part of The Year of Wright, our popular Life Drawing Classes return to The Wardwick at Derby Museum and Art Gallery, a celebration of all bodies and the human form.From 12-1pm there will be a facilitated one hour session designed for beginners and from 2-4pm there will be an unfacilitated intermediate session designed for those with experience of life drawing. Materials will be provided but participants are welcome to bring their own materials should they choose to. Suitable for those 18+ Limited places advanced booking essential Accessibility at Derby Museums [https://derbymuseums.org/accessibility/] Produced by Derby Museums, supported by Derby College

Famed for its innovative fire-proof iron framed cotton mill, the Belper Mill complex also incorporated innovative developments in waterpower. William Strutts improvement of the waterwheel, waterpower control and management of the River Derwent, enabled the mass manufacturing of textile thread at the complex, which today sits at the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Recent research has uncovered the stewardship of the rivers by the Georgian proprietors of the mills along Englands waterways, including the management of floods and distribution of salmon. The use of water to generate hydroelectric power, c.1900, encouraged the new owners of the Belper Mills, the English Sewing Cotton Company, to invest in their Derwent Valley businesses and, whilst most industrial sites on the Derwent connected to the national grid to purchase electricity in the mid-20th century, the Belper site continued to invest in new turbines. The 18th century weir, mill leats and wheel pits are still in use today (harnessing the power of the river, almost continuously, for 250 years), supplying the national grid with renewable energy. Ian Jackson is a Chartered mechanical engineer who has worked in multinational manufacturing businesses for 35 years, latterly as an independent ESOS Lead Assessor, and now is a waterpower researcher. In 2012 he set up Amber and Derwent Valley Community Energy to try to reinstate Hydroelectric Power (HEP) at a former industrial site, at the heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. In 2014 it was a feasible project but changes in government support and EA requirements halted the project in 2018. Living in the DVMWHS and trying to identify HEP opportunities, led to his research into the historic use of waterpower, the primary energy source for the early industrial revolution. Seeing the untapped HEP resource in the valley, and his role on the strategy board of the DVMWHS, led to an approach to the University of Nottingham. Ian started a full time PhD in 2020, titled Climate Change mitigation: Learning from the past to unlock the hydropower potential of the Derbyshire Derwent catchment, graduating in July 2025. Suitable for Adults (18+) Booking essential. Limited places. Accessibility at Derby Museums [https://derbymuseums.org/accessibility/]

Welcome to my house! Enter freely and of your own will!- Dracula, Bram Stoker Marking the 102rd anniversary of Dracula first being performed on stage in Derby, and the conclusion of Dracula Returns To Derby: 101 Years and Counting exhibition, Derby Museums Events Programmer and former Dracula Events Specialist Dan Webber unearths the fascinating connections between Derby and the Worlds most famous vampire following research undertaken as part of Dracula Returns To Derby. Dan Webber is an award-winning LGBTQ+ poet, promoter and producer based in Derby. He has appeared at numerous festivals across the country, including Glastonbury Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Timber Festival. He performed as part of the 25th Birthday Celebrations for Leicester Comedy Festival and was named BBC Local Poet for Derby, for National Poetry Day in 2016. Presented as part of Dracula Returns To Derby 101 Years and Counting at Pickfords House. Suitable for Adults (18+) Booking essential. Limited places. Accessibility at Derby Museums [https://derbymuseums.org/accessibility/] Image courtesy of Pictoria

Being an artist is one thing: becoming a successful one something else entirely. This April, the twenty-first, marks 260th anniversary of the public unveiling of Joseph Wrights A Philosopher giving a lecture on the Orrery, as part of the annual exhibition in London of the Society of Artists. It undoubtedly raised Wrights artist career to another level. Bob Moulders recent graphic novel tells a story of how this painting so pivotal to Wrights career might have come about, and in this talk he will look at the similarities and differences he found in the struggles faced by an 18th century artist like Wright to achieve a sustainable career, compared to artists - like himself - of recent times, as well as those in the future. Bob Moulder is an illustrator and in a 40 year career has worked on around 300 publications. He studied Fine Art in Belfast but turned to illustration initially as a wannabe comic strip artist. In recent years he has returned to that first love, resulting in his recent graphic novel, The Orrery, about Joseph Wrights famous painting. Bob moved to Derby in 1997 and for many years was also a PT tutor with the WEA teaching art history. Suitable for Adults (18+). Booking essential. Limited places. Accessibility at Derby Museums [https://derbymuseums.org/accessibility/]

Joseph Wright's 1782 portrait of Ellen Morewood of Alfreton Hall shows an elite woman in a landscape. What is not immediately obvious is the significant contribution Morewood made to the industrial revolution in Derbyshire nor her determination to control her life on her terms. Join Dr Collinge as he explores Morewood's portrait and her eventful life. Dr Peter Collinge is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His research focuses on female enterprise in Georgian Derbyshire, the poor laws, and health, leisure and tourism. Recent publications include articles on Kedleston spa and inn, and country house visitors in the eighteenth century. Suitable for Adults (18+) Booking essential. Limited places. Accessibility at Derby Museums [https://derbymuseums.org/accessibility/]

Marking World Dracula Day, join The Kirk Ireton Light Program as they present a new reimagining of Bram Stokers classic tale performed by just two actors. Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula" needs no introduction... but how many people have read it? It would take eighteen hours to read aloud, which is a bit much. Instead, we offer you an abridged version lasting one hour and forty five minutes. The text is still Mr. Stoker's, as are the references to Kodak cameras, hypnotism, brain surgery, voice recordings, morphine, stakes, beheadings, etc., etc... and, of course, the big D. Very Gothic, and, occasionally, very funny. Presented as part of Dracula Returns To Derby: 101 Years and Counting. Suitable for Adults (18+) Booking essential. Limited places. Accessibility at Derby Museums [https://derbymuseums.org/accessibility/] Image courtesy of Fotoblitz

Inspired by The Year of Wright, join Derby Museums for a special after-hours addition of our popular Life Drawing class, complete with a glass of wine on arrival! Socialise, learn new, or develop your skills and enjoy a relaxed two-hour workshop, with a facilitated introduction, followed by a free draw to finish off the night. Ideal for absolute beginners and experienced sketchers alike. Suitable for those 18+ Limited places - advanced booking essential Accessibility at Derby Museums [https://derbymuseums.org/accessibility/] Produced by Derby Museums, supported by Derby College

Author and playwright Elaine Pritchard tells the story of Vale Rawlings, a World War One conscientious objector from Burton-on-Trent in this talk with dramatic, live performance elements. Why was this man, just four feet, 11 inches tall, who suffered from congenital heart disease and severe rheumatism, passed for active service in Category A? Does the answer lie in a note found in Staffordshire archives saying: It is against the national interest for this man to remain in civil employment? Is there a connection with anti-war activists the Wheeldons of Derby now widely believed to have been framed and subjected to a show trial for their support for conscientious objectors? Elaine will explore these questions in a presentation that blends a traditional talk with dramatic, live performance elements. Actors will bring Vales story to life using letters he and his sister Lily wrote in 1917 and original statements made to court cases and military tribunals. Presented as part of Derby Peace Week 2026, all proceeds raised split between Derby Museums and Derby Peace Week partners Suitable for adults Accessibility at Derby Museums [https://derbymuseums.org/accessibility/]

Marking Derby Dracula Day, The Derby Dracula CIC and Derby Museums present a series of events celebrating Derbys place in the Dracula story, with special guest, author Dacre Stoker, Bram Stokers Great Grand-nephew. Explore the history of Dracula in Derby with this free to access audio tour of the city. Produced by The Derby Dracula CIC, supported by Derby City Council, The University of Derby and Visit Derby. Accessibility at Derby Museums [https://derbymuseums.org/accessibility/] Image courtesy of Visit Derby