Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
This building is absolutely stunning, the last time I took any notice of it was back in 2001 when I took photographs for my website derbyphotos.co.uk/areas_city/babingtonln.htm
Being able to see it with my drone has really revealed to me just how amazing it is. It was built in 1876 with additions in 1899. The words carved into the stonework on the front of the building say "Municipal Technical College"
Its Grade II* listed and was built in the grounds of Abbott's Hill House in 1876 by the Derby Corporation.
The Gothic style with pronounced Arts and Crafts elements resulted from the collaboration of F. W. Waller (1846-1933) of Gloucester, a former student and principal Thomas Simmonds.
In the 1990s It became part of the University of Derby and home to the 126 seat Metro Cinema showing more alternative, art house and foreign films. With the opening of the Derby Quad in 2007, the building has remained empty and decaying.
As you can see (if you watch it on a big screen) there are several windows missing and damaged sections of the roof.
I filmed this on 22nd March 2026.
I was asked by The Victorian Society to film it for this year's Top Ten Endangered Buildings list.
You may well see my footage on the news later being discussed by Griff Rhys Jones (President of the The Victorian Society).
As seen on the BBC News today : bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx29w8lxk79o
Can this building find a new purpose or will it be yet another left to rot?
► Please like, Share, subscribe and turn on notifications.
Feel free to share the link to Facebook, Twitter or to anyone you think would like to see it.
Best viewed on a large computer screen or smart TV as this is recorded in 4K resolution with great music so a real waste watching it on a small phone screen. Did you know you can cast it to your smart tv from the YouTube app?
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Music Credits :
'Wayfarer' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
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Information on my drone flying :
● My drone is a Class C0 drone sub-250g type, because its such a lightweight drone (236g), I'm allowed to fly it over residential and commercial property and people (but not crowds) without permission.
● I passed the theory test and have both valid flyer ID and Operator ID's.
● I have drone insurance (£5 million public liability insurance cover).
● I strictly follow all the CAA guidelines on flying my drone.
● I always fly in Cinematic mode (slow speed) as this is safer in urban environments.
● I plan all of my flights in advance of taking off to ensure I know my complete flight path and am aware of any obstacles in the way.
● In order to maintain VLOS (visual line of sight) with my drone I use extremely bright Strobe lights, if there are trees or buildings in my way then I have to land and carry on from a different location this means that I often have to join bits of flights together, I try and line up edits using telemetry to match altitude and position etc. but its not always possible to get good joins in clips so this can mean jump cuts and fades between clips.
● I carry out a risk assessment before each flight and ensure all batteries fully charged, GPS has a good fix etc.
● I always engage with anyone nearby informing them the reason for my flight.
Thanks
Andy
#djimini4pro #Derbyshire #Drone
This building is absolutely stunning, the last time I took any notice of it was back in 2001 when I took photographs for my website derbyphotos.co.uk/areas_city/babingtonln.htm
Being able to see it with my drone has really revealed to me just how amazing it is. It was built in 1876 with additions in 1899. The words carved into the stonework on the front of the building say "Municipal Technical College"
Its Grade II* listed and was built in the grounds of Abbott's Hill House in 1876 by the Derby Corporation.
The Gothic style with pronounced Arts and Crafts elements resulted from the collaboration of F. W. Waller (1846-1933) of Gloucester, a former student and principal Thomas Simmonds.
In the 1990s It became part of the University of Derby and home to the 126 seat Metro Cinema showing more alternative, art house and foreign films. With the opening of the Derby Quad in 2007, the building has remained empty and decaying.
As you can see (if you watch it on a big screen) there are several windows missing and damaged sections of the roof.
I filmed this on 22nd March 2026.
I was asked by The Victorian Society to film it for this year's Top Ten Endangered Buildings list.
You may well see my footage on the news later being discussed by Griff Rhys Jones (President of the The Victorian Society).
As seen on the BBC News today : bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx29w8lxk79o
Can this building find a new purpose or will it be yet another left to rot?
► Please like, Share, subscribe and turn on notifications.
Feel free to share the link to Facebook, Twitter or to anyone you think would like to see it.
Best viewed on a large computer screen or smart TV as this is recorded in 4K resolution with great music so a real waste watching it on a small phone screen. Did you know you can cast it to your smart tv from the YouTube app?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music Credits :
'Wayfarer' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information on my drone flying :
● My drone is a Class C0 drone sub-250g type, because its such a lightweight drone (236g), I'm allowed to fly it over residential and commercial property and people (but not crowds) without permission.
● I passed the theory test and have both valid flyer ID and Operator ID's.
● I have drone insurance (£5 million public liability insurance cover).
● I strictly follow all the CAA guidelines on flying my drone.
● I always fly in Cinematic mode (slow speed) as this is safer in urban environments.
● I plan all of my flights in advance of taking off to ensure I know my complete flight path and am aware of any obstacles in the way.
● In order to maintain VLOS (visual line of sight) with my drone I use extremely bright Strobe lights, if there are trees or buildings in my way then I have to land and carry on from a different location this means that I often have to join bits of flights together, I try and line up edits using telemetry to match altitude and position etc. but its not always possible to get good joins in clips so this can mean jump cuts and fades between clips.
● I carry out a risk assessment before each flight and ensure all batteries fully charged, GPS has a good fix etc.
● I always engage with anyone nearby informing them the reason for my flight.
Thanks
Andy
#djimini4pro #Derbyshire #Drone
