Belper Civic ForumThe Civic Society of Belper and Milford in Derbyshire

Local residents of all ages are invited to join a special guided walk combining history and natural geography.  Belper's Civic Forum is organising the walk along the middle section of Coppice brook on Sunday May 20th, following the success of a first walk along the lower section of the brook last year.  'People may think that Belper grew up around the River Derwent, but when you think about it, it's grown up around Coppice brook, and it joins the old and new parts' says walk leader Julie Wozniczka.
 

The meadows land from Derwent Street to the Aristoc facory, including the footbridge over the river, is owned by the Strutt (Kingairloch) Estate.  Some years ago Tesco took out an option to buy it all.
In September 2010 Amber Valley Borough Council voted to negotiate to acquire most of the area and the bridge from Tesco on behalf of Belper Town Council for a public park.  But they said that any such transaction would not depend on their granting planning consent for Tesco's planned development. 

What have Stamford, Sleaford, Boston and Holmfirth got in common?  They all have similarities and common issues with Belper, and they have all been visited by members of the town's Civic Forum in the last four years.  At the Forum's AGM on Wednesday 18th April, Roger Shelley will give a presentation showing how these other small English towns are coping with today's challenging economic times, and what lessons they may have for us here in Belper.  See if you agree that these can lay claim to be our 'real' twin towns!