Memorial Title

Wartime Nurses (Lost)

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a lost war memorial well dressing commemorating the Wartime Nurses, at the roadside in Market St, Hayfield, Derbyshire.

Images

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.

Locations

Last known location:
Roadside
Market St
Hayfield
Derbyshire

Nearest postcode:
SK22 2EP

NGR:
SK 03734 86961
(From online digital mapping.)
(Map opens in new window.)

Location details:
On the western side of the war memorial compound.

Type

Overall type: Well dressing

Overall condition: Lost

Description:

A temporary well dressing tableau traditionally made from vegetation pressed into clay held in a wooden frame, but today often including pebbles, chippings, beads, fabric etc. The dressing comprised a square panel bearing a depiction of a nurse as visualised by pre-school children and modelled on the children's character Ness the Nurse.
The well dressing was displayed from 1st to 8th July, 2018 and was subsequently dismantled.

Glossary

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Mosaic	Plant material, stone, clay	c450	c450	c50	Lost
Frame	Wood	c450	c450	c50	Unknown
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

[None]

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict	All conflicts	Totals
Action	Not stated
Number died	0	0
Number served and returned	0	0
Total names	0	0

Administration

Custodian: Kinder Kids Pre-School Nursery.

Local authorities:
From 1974: Hayfield Parish Council; High Peak Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council.

History and Conservation

Spring 2018: The memorial well dressing was designed and constructed by children and helpers from the Kinder Kids Pre-School Nursery.

1st July, 2018: The memorial was blessed by the local clergy.

1st July, 2018: The memorial was photographed by Glyn Williams

9th July, 2018: The dressing was dismantled and the components salvaged for future use.

References

—

Comments

Some might argue that this well dressing does not constitute a war memorial, however, the theme for 2018, chosen by the Hayfield Well Dressing Committee, was "Women at War" and many dressings commemorated specific women or women's organisations clearly associated with war work. In this case the children's choice was nurses, which is a valid choice and it seems perfectly reasonable for children under five years old to depict the subject by the character Ness the Nurse which they know and understand.

Well dressing details are available from the welldressing.com site run by Glyn Williams.

Can you add to or correct anything on this page? Let us know.