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Strutt sisters go back to their roots in Belper
Before Didy Erb and Lindsey Ryan came to Belper last week they had no idea of the impact their family – the Strutts – had had on the town.
They knew that the Strutt family had been rich and had owned cotton mills, but they were astonished to learn all about the good work their grandfather George Herbert Strutt and his family had done for the town.
During a whirlwind tour of the town and other areas touched by the Strutt heritage, the sisters, who were also travelling with Lindsey's husband Michael, learned about the industrial prowess, intelligence, and philanthropy of their ancestors, thanks to knowledgeable guides, local historians Mary Smedley and Adrian Farmer.
Lindsey, 63, who lives in County Wicklow, in Ireland, said: "We didn't know what they'd done here. We feel a bit over-whelmed and very proud. It's wonderful."
Didy, who now lives in Toronto, Canada, said: "I'm a little bit sad that we didn't know more about it. Mum never made a big deal about it all. I will be interested to share this with my children. I'm a bit over-whelmed by everyone's interest. They have all lived this for most of their lives; for us it's all new."
The visit came about after Lindsey's son's girlfriend had spoken to
Bridget Bradish, who is the pair's mother and George Herbert Strutt's daughter, about education for a project. Through that contact was made with the World Heritage Site and Mary Smedley in Belper, who used to manage the North Mill museum.
Mary went over to County Wexford in Ireland to see 93-year-old Mrs Bradish to talk to her about her family last year, and after that a visit to Belper was arranged.
Mary said: "I felt so privileged. If someone had told me I was going to meet Queen Victoria I couldn't have been more excited. She's a true Strutt. It's been so good to get that Strutt closure and to have that contact. There's always been a bit of a ragged edge."
The Strutts left Belper in 1930 following the death of George Herbert Strutt and his successor George Ashton Strutt. The family was hit with crippling death tax and was forced to auction off the contents of Bridge Hill House, where the family had lived.
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Weather for Belper
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
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