Belper Quiz
How much do you know about Belper? Here are ten questions to test your knowledge.
Question 1
Belper was originally called Beaurepaire, but what does the name mean?
Beautiful River
Beautiful Haven
Beautiful Retreat
Please choose an answer
Correct
Wrong
Beaurepaire means Beautiful Retreat. Belper was known by this name when it was part of Duffield Frith, owned by the de Ferrers family
Question 2
Which is the oldest building in Belper?
St John's Chapel
The George and Dragon
King Street Fish Bar
Please choose an answer
Correct
Wrong
It's St John's Chapel, which dates from around 1250. The chippie is considerably more modern than that.
Question 3
What is the traditional Belper name for the narrow pedestrian alleyways that thread through the town?
Channels
Jitties
Passages
Please choose an answer
Correct
Wrong
They're known as channels and many have evocative names such as Jacob's Ladder, Piggy Hill and Walker Bottom.
Question 4
Which of these people was NOT a pupil of The Herbert Strutt School
Timothy Dalton
Suzy Kendall
Robert Lindsay
Please choose an answer
Correct
Wrong
The answer is Robert Lindsay. Actor Timothy Dalton and actress Suzy Kendal were both alumni of Stutt's school, as was actor Sir Alan Bates and Blue Peter presenter Simon Groom.
Question 5
What pioneering innovation was employed in William Strutt's North Mill, completed in 1804?
It had a sliding roof section.
It had an airtight basement.
It was fireproof.
Please choose an answer
Correct
Wrong
It was fireproof. After the original building burnt down, the replacement was constructed using a fireproof iron frame. This is often said to be a forerunner of modern skyscraper design.
Question 6
As the railway approaches Belper town centre from the south it passes under the A6. It passes under the A6 again as it leaves to the north. Not including the A6 bridges, how many bridges are there in between?
7
8
9
Please choose an answer
Correct
Wrong
There are 9 - Gibfield Lane, New Road, King Street, Field Lane, Joseph Street, George Street, William Street, Long Row, and Pingle Lane.
Question 7
By what nickname is Belper Town Football Club Known?
The Nailers
The Spinners
The Cheviners
Please choose an answer
Correct
Wrong
It's The Nailers, a nod to Belper's nailmaking past.
Question 8
Babington Hospital was originally built as a workhouse. But where would you have found Belper's parish workhouse prior to this?
Bridge Hill
Top Common
Belper Lane
Please choose an answer
Correct
Wrong
It was on Belper Lane and housed around 28 people. A much larger facility was needed and the Belper Poor Law Union Workhouse opened in 1840, the oldest part of which was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott.
Question 9
In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Belper hit the headlines when residents began to engage in a strange activity at 6.30 every evening. What was this known as?
The Belper Moo
The Belper Honk
The Belper Bellow
Please choose an answer
Correct
Wrong
It was The Belper Moo, organised by Jasper Ward as a way of beating the loneliness and isolation of social distancing. Residents were encouraged to stand in their gardens, doorways or at open windows and moo like a cow.
Question 10
Belper is twinned with Pawtucket, Rhode Island, because Belper-born Samuel Slater founded his textile business there. But what did Pawtucket gift to Belper in 2001 to commemorate this connection?
An original spinning frame, as used in Slater's factory.
A specially commissioned painting of Samuel Slater by a celebrated Pawtucket portrait artist.
A giant fibreglass potato.
Please choose an answer
Correct
Wrong
It was a giant fibreglass potato. (Hasbro, which manufactures the Mr Potato Head toy, has its headquarters in Pawtucket.)