Local History

Something from Strutts: Strutts School Reunion Plans

Since the last Strutts School moved to more modern accommodation in 2008, members of the local community have worked hard to preserve the wonderful building which has been an integral part of Belper’s history for over a century. Although Strutts was purpose built for education, its adaptability for other uses was quickly recognised and it is now a popular community building which regularly hosts meetings, classes, talks, sports and the various disciplines within the Arts.

There has been necessary intervention to secure the safety of the building. The roof has been repaired, a lift has been installed and some classroom decoration has taken place, with more ambitious improvements planned for the future.

The iconic Strutts building retains its charm.

Meanwhile we are always looking for new fundraising ideas to meet the need for further preservation along with opportunities to welcome participants and visitors.

If you were a student of the Grammar School or Middle School you might well be interested in paying us a visit, so we are pleased to announce that a reunion is currently being considered. The proposed plan is to meet at Strutts on Saturday September 2nd in the School Hall, have lunch, a tour of the building and then spend time chatting, sharing memories or browsing the large quantity of memorabilia, including many photographs, which has kindly been donated to us.

This event is also open to Life Members and Current Annual Members of Belper Strutts Society, and further details of ticket costs and times will soon be available on our website (strutts.org.uk) and on our Facebook page.

However, despite these ongoing and necessary changes, the integrity of the building has, we feel, been preserved and its educational legacy has not been forgotten. Those people who attended school here will certainly see changes, but, nevertheless, there is still much that is familiar. The central hall, the honours boards, the stairways, corridors and quadrangles are largely the same; many of the classrooms have hardly changed and the library still has its trademark oak bookshelves and, of course, its magnificent stainedglass windows.

Please come along. If you would like to register an initial interest in attending, please get in touch via bssocnews@gmail.com

By Joan Hardy Strutts Society Committee www.strutts.org.uk

Many thanks to Mr Kenneth Stennett for his donation of Strutts School holiday memorabilia. We really appreciate this.

April:

1st: Jazz with the Sitwell Singers: timeless jazz classics accompanied by award-winning jazz quintet with musical director Dexter Drown. 7:30pm, Shakespeare House, 93 Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1FR. Tickets & info: www.sitwellsingers.org.uk

5th: Belper Historical Society: ‘The History of Silkolene Lubricants of Belper: Derbyshire’s own oil company’ by Cliff Lea. 7:30pm at Strutts Community Centre, Derby Road. Members free, visitors £5

8th: Belper Organ and Keyboard Club concert: Andrew Nix. 2pm, Congregational Church, Church Walk, Belper DE56 1DB. £10 admission. Refreshments available. www.belperorganclub.com

15th: Ship of Fools Stand-up Comedy @ No.28 Market Place, Belper DE56 1FZ. 7.30 for 8pm. BYO drinks. Tickets £10. Booking online only: www.wegottickets.com. Info: shipoffoolscomedy@yahoo.co.uk.

21st: A night of intense musical energy with international stars Omar Puente & Alex Wilson with Latin Jazz Quartet at No.28 Market Place Belper DE56 1FZ. 6pm & 8.30pm shows (doors 5.30pm & 8pm). Tickets £20 from Eventbrite.co.uk or from Sankara Imports, 42 King Street Belper. BYO drinks.

28th: Belper Welcome Meal 12-2pm at No.28 Market Place, Belper DE56 1FZ. Soup/bread & pudding, No need to book, pay what you can.

Welcome Meal Project volunteers supported by Unite, Belper Town Council, Co-op.

22nd: Transition Belper’s Green Exchange with Repair Café, 10am – 1pm at No.28 Market Place, Belper DE56 1FZ. New ‘tech corner’ plus bike repairs, knife sharpening, sewing, electricals and much more. www.transitionbelper.org. Facebook: transitionbelper.

May:

3rd: Belper Historical Society evening visit to the Belper Unitarian Chapel, Field Row, 7:30pm. Park at Field Lane car park.

13th: Belper Organ and Keyboard Club concert: Phil Brown. 2pm, Congregational Church, Church Walk, Belper DE56 1DB. £10 admission. Refreshments available. www.belperorganclub.com

21st: Adrian Farmer’s Belper Talks: ‘New Finds of Old Belper and Milford’, 6pm at No.28 Market Place, Belper DE56 1FZ. £5; booking essential. Email: belpertalks.walks@gmail.com

26th: Belper Welcome Meal 12-2pm at No.28 Market Place, Belper DE56 1FZ. Soup/bread & pudding, No need to book, pay what you can. Welcome Meal Project volunteers supported by Unite, Belper Town Council, Co-op.

Please check events with the venue/organiser as the publisher accepts no responsibility if events are changed/cancelled following publication. If you have a one-off event or special excursion for June / July 2023 please email it to helen@allthingslocal.co.uk. Deadline is Wednesday 19th April 2022.