Our summer meeting took place in an amazing rural setting, beside the canal-basin of an industrial complex which was part of Sir Richard Arkwright's great water-powered spinning mills, built between 1771 and 1791.  This impressive birthplace of the factory system is mostly empty now but the buildings still stand as testament to an intriguing past.  A local celebrity, Notty Hornblower, kindly agreed to bring some of her splendid dress collection for us to see. The items form part of Notty's extensive holdings, the result of a lifetime's passion for period clothing. Her 'Hope House' Costume Museum and restoration workshop, close to Ashborne, display an array of garments and accessories, each with a special provenance and an interesting tale to tell!

A guided tour of the mill complex took place in the afternoon.