The street of Willow Row, now home to Derby College and the sports centre, had previously been associated with industry. However, with harsh industrial conditions came a harsh and unforgiving society, and Willow Row had several public houses and inns whilst also being where 103 people called their home in 1847[1].

This page intends to convey ideas surrounding the middle-class moral ideals around what the street should look like compared to a more accurate representation of where slum dwellers call home. The portrayal of the ideal Willow Row was not the only way in which middle-class ideals were shown, they can also be seen in the inadequate care of slum residents in places such as gaols and public houses at the hands of ineffective law enforcement and policies. As previously mentioned, the association between Willow Row and the ale house was strong, with four pubs located a stone’s throw away.[2] This association led to numerous occasions where the pub, in particular the Windmill, was associated with, if not at the centre of, criminality.

by Amelia Brain, George Walker and Elexis Whittaker

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References

[1] Geneageek. (2021, November 21). The Slums of Derby. Geneageek.https://geneageek.com/the-slums-of-derby/

[2] Craven, Maxwell. The illustrated History of Derby’s Pubs, New ed., Breedon, 2002 pp 60, 142, 159, 165