Drought reveals lost villages from wartime reservoir flooding
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 07:32 · Archive
Drought has exposed the remains of two villages flooded in the 1940s to create Ladybower Reservoir in Derbyshire.
Drought conditions have revealed the remains of two villages flooded to create Ladybower Reservoir in Derbyshire. The villages of Derwent and Ashopton were submerged in the 1940s when the reservoir was built between 1935 and 1943. The reservoir now supplies water to Derby, Nottingham and Leicester but is currently less than a third full, exposing stone from collapsed buildings on the banks.
Malcolm Thorp, 86, lived in Derwent until he was three years old. He can now clearly see where his house stood next to the school. 'I always feel very pleased to see it. It's part of my childhood and memory,' he said. When the reservoir was low in the 1970s, his mother Frances did not like seeing the site of their former home, feeling people were standing in their old rooms, but Malcolm enjoys the opportunity to revisit his early memories.
Compulsory purchase orders were made for houses in both villages, and bodies from the churchyards were exhumed and reburied in nearby Bamford.
How it is being reported
- Drought reveals remains of Derbyshire villages lost beneath dam flood watersThe low water levels at the Ladybower Reservoir have revealed parts of the villages of Derwent and AshoptonDerbyshire Times · 25 Oct, 09:17
- Drought reveals remains of Peak District village lost beneath dam flood watersThe low water levels at the Ladybower Reservoir have revealed parts of the villages of Derwent and AshoptonBuxton Advertiser · 25 Oct, 09:15
- Drought reveals childhood memories of lost villageMalcolm Thorp lived in the village of Derwent before it was flooded to create Ladybower Reservoir.BBC Derbyshire · 25 Oct, 07:06
In this story: Malcolm Thorp · Derwent · Ashopton · Ladybower Reservoir · Derbyshire · Derby · Nottingham · Leicester
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