Online tickets are now off sale. However you can still buy tickets on the door.
Join us at Cromford Mills for the first talk in our 2026 Highlighting Heritage series, exploring Derbyshire’s pivotal role in the early development of the railway network.
In this fascinating talk, Trevor Griffin will share insights from the Butterley Gangroad Project, an ambitious research initiative led by the Derbyshire Archaeological Society. Focusing on the historic Butterley Gangroad—also known as the Crich Railway—Trevor will uncover how this early line, established in 1793 by Benjamin Outram & Co., transported limestone from the quarries near Crich to the Cromford Canal, playing a vital role in the region’s industrial growth.
Drawing on archaeological investigation, historical research, and community-led fieldwork, the project has revealed new details about the railway and its infrastructure, including the remarkable tunnel at Fritchley—now recognised as the oldest railway tunnel in the world. Trevor will place these findings in a wider context, highlighting why Derbyshire is considered so significant in the global story of railway development.
Trevor Griffin is a highly regarded local historian and speaker with a passion for Derbyshire’s rich industrial heritage. Since retiring from a career in engineering, he has dedicated his time to researching and sharing local history, leading numerous guided walks and delivering engaging talks, particularly on the region’s railways.
Time: Doors open at 7.00pm for refreshments. Talk starts at 7:30pm.
Tickets: £6 online, £7 on the door. Please note; if room capacity is reached, regretfully we will need to turn people away if they have not booked a ticket. (Gold Arkwright Society Members need to book their complimentary ticket online)