Dronfield Eye issue 203 November 2022

dronfield EYE
Months of dry weather have caused water
shortages throughout the UK. Rivers and
streams have dried to a trickle and water in
some lakes and ponds has disappeared altogether
N
OWHERE is the drought more evident than at the
reservoirs just over the hills in the Derwent Valley.
When they were built between 1935 and 1943, the picturesque villages of
Ashopton and Derwent were sacrificed. Once they were submerged,
everyone thought they had gone forever.
However, in subsequent years of low rainfall, some of the ruins of the old
buildings have been seen. This happened in the dry summers of 1976, 1995
and 2018 and now again in 2022.
Local photographer Claire Davison ranks the area around Derwent,
Ladybower and Howden Dams as one of her favourite places in Derbyshire.
Some of her most spectacular images have shown water cascading over
the downfall at Derwent Dam.
This year, however, she has made several trips here to record the falling
water levels and photograph some of the relics and foundations which
have emerged. On these pages she shares some of her
favourite images.
People travelling to the Derwent Valley to view and
photograph the relics from the lost villages have been advised
to stick to regular roadways and footpaths as exploring out
into the mud on foot can be dangerous. One man had to be
rescued after he became stuck for several hours while
inspecting the ruins.
• Severn Trent applied for a drought permit in October for its
three reservoirs in the Upper Derwent Valley, following what it
says has been the driest six months since 1850.
Opposite: Pump house from the old Derwent village
Top: An elaborate section of Derwent Hall, built in 1672
Centre: The ‘lost’ villages of Derwent and Ashopton
Right: Former gatepost from Derwent Hall
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