Ripley, Derbyshire

Ripley is a town in the English county of Derbyshire.

 Earliest history 

Ripley existed in 1086 when it was held by a man called Levenot.Domesday book In 1251 Henry III said there could be a weekly market here and two annual fairs. In 1291 there were "two water-mills with fish ponds" in Ripley.

 Industry 

The Ripley area has been industrialized since the late 18th century.

One of the earliest companies to take advantage of mineral resources around Ripley was Butterley Engineering, which started  in 1790. One of the early, and most well known, examples of the work of the company includes the graceful arched roof of St. Pancras Station in London, recently restored as an international rail terminal. A recent Butterley achievement was the design and construction of the Falkirk Wheel which lifts large canal boats.

Notable residents
Bombardier Charles Stone who was awarded the VC was born here.Derbyshire at VictoriaCross.org  Accessed June 2007
Barnes Wallis, inventor of the 'Bouncing bomb' lived for a time in Ripley. One of the town's parks is named after him.

Education
Ripley Mill Hill School, Peasehill
Swanwick Hall School, Swanwick Hill, Swanwick 
John Flamsteed School, Derby Road, Denby

References

Other websites

Category:Towns in Derbyshire