There's a little piece of industrial history here in Derbyshire, that runs along the winding waters of the river Derwent. A series of mills built to take advantage of the rushing waterways to spin cottons and silks. Starting at the Silk Mill in Derby (widely regarded as the site of the world’s first modern factory) and moving northwards with sites at Darley Abbey, Belper, Cromford and Matlock.

It's an UNESCO world heritage site no less.

Though you wouldn't know it looking at the photos of the dilapidated East Mill in Belper. This imposing 7 story factory was constructed by the English Sewing Cotton Company in 1912, a relative youngster to the arguably more historically important North Mill that sits in its shadow. North Mill was built by William Strutt (son of Jedediah) in 1804 to replace in original built in 1776, destroyed by fire in 1803.

North Mill was built as the first "fire-proof" mill, out of steel and brick, and became the template for future mills as well as the genesis for skyscraper construction.

This older mill is in much better condition with thriving heritage support enabling lots of activities and yours to take place throughout the year. The less said about the Americana style branding the better however.

Still it's East Mill that has all the presence with its imposing tower and general scale. It was in some sort of operation until the early 1990's, and I think a little after, though not as a mill. My father drove vans filled with toys for A.B. Gee, toy distributors who had warehousing on some of the floors.

It's a mess now, gradually crumbling, broken windows, collapsing floors.

It's Grade II listed and a very important feature on the Belper skyline. It's a real shame to see it slowly fade.

Quick overview complete, with frost forecast one morning, I set my alarm for an early run with the wee DJI Mini 2 to capture the mills and surrounding area with a crispy layer of the white stuff: