The Whitworth Trust operates the Whitworth Centre for the leisure, recreational and educational benefit of the people of Darley Dale and neighbouring parishes. Our building and park are steeped in Victorian industrial history. Lady Louisa Whitworth, wife of the industrialist Sir Joseph Whitworth, had a vision of creating a place where people could meet for leisure, recreational and educational purposes. The Whitworth is unique in that it is the only surviving Whitworth foundation that continues to operate under the terms of its original endowment. Today the Whitworth is the heart of the Darley Dale community, offering a public park with sports fields and playground and hosting a number of groups and clubs. We run the Terrace Café in the building and host Darley Dale Town Council. The versatile ballroom, hall and two other meetings rooms host a wide range of events from weddings, to workshops, yoga classes to children’s parties. The Whitworth Trust is dependent on the support of Darley Dale Town Council, local people and businesses. Every penny that comes from the sale of an ice cream in the cafe, or a donation made to us, is reinvested in the building and park. Proud of our heritage, we are looking to the future to continue to the realise the vision of our founders and meet the needs of the community today.