Well, what a day! It was a gloriously sunny day over the summer: Our Beautiful Things Antiques stores are going from strength to strength at both of our venues in Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, plus online at www.beautifulthingsantiques.com. Then, out of the blue, we get a call to ask: 'Would you be interested in featuring on the TV show 'Salvage Hunters? ' Well, let me tell you: it took a whole nanosecond to respond with a very excited YES. It was a few months later that the day finally came and we welcomed to our little family business TV antiques dealer Drew Pritchard. Drew, along with his his co-presenter from the hit TV show ‘Salvage Hunters’, Tee, visited Beautiful Things on a Wednesday. Together with a sizable film crew, Drew and Tee first visited our workshop, then, later on, our show space in Derwentside Mill, Belper. Whilst visiting Drew brought a few items and, whilst there, couldn’t resist having a look around some of the other dealers on the four floors Derwentside has to offer. Drew was very generous in his thoughts about our business and wished us every success. The filming was for a slot in an upcoming episode of ‘Salvage Hunters’ to be aired in early 2023. It was a truly memorable day for all involved and the team at Beautiful Things Antiques would like to thank Drew, Tee and the team for visiting: It was day we will treasure for the rest of our lives. To find out more visit our website at www.beautifulthingsantiques.com or one of our show spaces at Derwentside MIll in Belper, Derbyshire, or in Building One of Hemswell Antiques Centre, Hemswell Cliff, Lincolnshire. Click HERE for location details Thank you for reading our blog. Have a Beautiful Day Tim & Lilly x

We opened our store in Derwentside Shopping Mill, Belper one year ago and what a year it has been! After three lockdown's, various re-openings and a lot of mask wearing, we are (hopefully) returning to relative normality. And we can't wait to welcome back our customers! We may be a reasonably new addition to the mill, but the building we now call home is steeped in a long history of it's own. Here's a summary of what's happened so far ... Our mill was originally called Unity Mill (quite an apt name as it now brings together 35 local like-minded artisans and antique dealers). The site that is Unity Mill stands on what was once part of the extensive estate of the manor of Duffield, under Lord of the manor Richard Paul Jodrell. In 1798 the land, along with a package of property, was sold to a local man Mr William Walker. As Belper was then an up and coming town, together with the whole of the Derwent Valley, with its industrial heritage being built and acquiring value. In 1807 Walker's speculation appeared to pay off when he sold his land to John Whitaker, the proprietor of The Red Lion Inn across the road. From this point the land was said to be used as stabling for the Red Lion Inn until around 1836 when it was sold to James Webster: It was he who built our mill. The Mill was built in two stages: First, a relatively small building built in 1839 as a steam powered Corn Mill/Bakery. It was then sold in 1853 to John Strutt (the grandson of Jedidiah Strutt) for £2,500 and extended to the four storey mill that you see today. He installed 2 x 30HP Beam engines and other machinery at a cost of over £7,000.00. John Strutt leased the building to John and Humphrey Winsom as a Steam Cornmill. After the death of John Strutt in 1858, the Mill was inherited by Anthony Strutt (John's Brother) who sold a majority of shares to George H Strutt (Anthony's Nephew) and Edward Lord Belper (Anthony's Cousin). In 1865 the Mill was again sold to Nickison and Smith: Again to be used as steam Corn Mill. In September 1866 there was a freak accident at the mill, as reported in the Derby & Chesterfield Reporter ... Belper – Miraculous Escape On Wednesday the 12th a remarkable accident occured at the Unity Steam Flour Mills at Belper which at one time threatened to be attended with loss of life. The owners are having a well sunk on their premises for supplying the engines. The well is about 20 feet in diameter and is lined with a massive wooden frame work which is again lined with cemented brickwork. This framework is constructed of battens several inches thick and it is made into sections, put together at the mouth of the sinkings, and then allowed to sink into its proper depth by its own gravity, assisted by the excavation below. This excavation was taking place and the workmen were wheeling away the soil from the well. One of the workmen, working close to the wooden framework, felt the earth beneath him give way and he sank several feet ending up being buried and wedged between the soil and the outer casing of the well. He was quickly uncovered but had been buried in a sitting position with a large amount of soil on his legs. The workmen shored the earth around him and tied a rope around his body. An opening was then cut into the well lining to draw the man through. By this time hundreds of people had gathered. The man was fed brandy in large quantities as a stimulant, whilst the rescuers sawed and chiseled their way through the wet wood taking several hours. A doctor who was later present prescribed a cup of hot tea for the man (may be thinking that would sober him up) as he was becoming rather talkative and failed to realise what a precarious position he was in! The man was eventually rescued through the hole in the well and his fellow workmen gave "two or three Huzzas, which was speedily interpreted by spectators outside to mean victory and they in their turn gave a hearty cheer" . The man was then brought up and wrapped in warm blankets but he refused assistance for in fact "nothing was amiss with him except a little boisterous of spirits which could be explained by the stimulants he had partaken of." It was amazing that he survived let alone having no injuries whatsoever ( except maybe for a very sore head the next morning)! Unfortunately, in 1872, it was repossessed by the National Provincial Bank who held it for Three years. The Advert for it's sale read ... Known as Unity Steam Flour mills and Bakery .....modern plant and machinery.....capable of grinding 700 sacks a week.... ovens will bake 250 sacks a week. The buildings are of recent erection and most substantial In 1875 it was sold to WM Manlove who was a director of the english sewing company. He also rented Strutts Belper and Milford Mills at the time. The mill stayed in his ownership for 27 years and operated as a cotton thread Factory. In 1905 the Strutt estate and debenture trustees purchased the mill and William Holden Took on the lease. He was a furniture manufacturer and employed around 100 people. In time he ceased manufacturing at the mill but continued to retail from here until the 1930's it was closed down. Information after the 1930's is a little less specific but Unity Mill was utilised during the second world war by Rolls Royce and designated a 'planning office' although we know it also housed the wages office. It was awarded a grade 2 listing in 1979 and later occupied by a German company Roehms Ltd who made plastic colorants. In the mid-1990's Machall Investments Ltd trading as Derwentside Shopping Mill became the custodians by lease and later ownership, and continue to this day. So come visit our store at Derwentside Shopping Mill, Derwent Street, Belper, DE56 1WN. We're on the first floor next to the cafe. We look forward to seeing you soon. Tim & Lilly

Most of us are currently feeling anxious, depressed, or even downright annoyed with the whole coronavirus thing, and, you know what, that's fine. We all have the right, as simple human beings, to feel however we choose to feel about the situation we, as a race (the human race), find ourselves in. One things is for sure: We're all in this together! So, do what you need to do in this time of enforced distancing, feel how you choose to feel, but keep one thing in your mind at all times: THIS WILL PASS Many of us (me included) have been asked to stay at home for the sake of the more vulnerable members of our society, as no-one can know who is a carrier and who is not. This means we are spending considerably more time at home than usual, and that provides us all with an oportunity. Your home; the environment you create to live in, plays an important part in your wellbeing. Why? You ask. Simply put, your home is not just a place to shelter from the wind and rain (we live in England!), but it is also an expression of your personality, a safe haven from the problems of the world outside, your personal cocoon in which to nurture your true self. Look around you; look at your environment and ask yourself: Do I love my home? Well, now you have the time to change those niggles that you've been putting off for so long, now your have time to find those Beautiful Things that will enhance your love of your home and, by doing so, nurture a new love for yourself. We at Beautiful Things recognise such needs and provide Beautiful reclaimed, restored and re-loved items to enhance your life. We'd like to help you take your first step in the bliss of your Beautiful home. Here's a promo code for 10% off your first order over £200: WELCOME10 Thank you for reading my blog, may you all have a wonderful day Tim And remember: Be safe, Help others

Good morning from Beautiful Things Due to recent developments in the spread of Coronavirus in the UK, we have decided to temporary close our shop in Derwent Shopping MIll, Belper to the public. We are offering private viewings of our collection on an appointment only basis in line with the strict rules of social distancing. Should you feel comfortable with a private visit and wish to book an appointment, please email us at shop@beautifulthings.uk and we will arrange a time at your convenience. Naturally our online shop remains open and we are endeavoring to add as many of our Beautiful Things as possible. We will continue to offer our home delivery service and courier service whilst it is still safe to do so. We are living in an unprecedented period of history. Let's show how we, as humans, can pull together to get through this. Stay safe, look after each other Love and light to you all Kindest regards, Tim & Lilly Beautiful Things