Artwork Description:

Title: Masson Mill (making the cloth)

Masson Mill

Masson Mill was built in 1783 and stands on the banks of the River Derwent, from where it drew its power. When manufacturing ceased at the mill in 1991 – after 208 years of continuous production – Masson was the oldest working mill in the world.

When work ceased, Masson Mill was sympathetically refurbished to continue life as a working textile museum. 

What I liked about this mill when I visited in 2023 is that its machines were still operating, so you could hear, see and smell the mill working.

Artist Bio:

Capturing Moments Across Six Decades

Born and raised in Lancashire and having spent some years living and working in London, I settled in the beautiful Belper area about 20 years ago, and enjoy exploring the huge variety of photographic opportunities presented by the Derwent Valley and the Peak District. 

I first picked up a camera as a toddler, due to my dad’s interest in photography, but my own passion really ignited in the mid-1970s, with a Rollei Flex Twin-Lens Reflex camera, and 120 film. 

From those early days I have moved through Pentax, and particularly Nikon cameras, and from film and slides into the digital era, to develop my skills and learn how best to present my personal perspective on the world.