Memorial Title

Lend a Hand on the Land (Lost)

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a war memorial well dressing at the Main Well, Great Barlow commemorating the Lend a Hand on the Land campaign during WW2.

Images

Click in a thumbnail to see a larger image.

Locations

Last known location:
Small Well
Millcross La
Great Barlow
Derbyshire

Nearest postcode:
S18 7TA

NGR:
SK 33993 75385
(From online digital mapping.)

Location details:
The parish church signboard clearly identifies the village as Great Barlow but maps and other references refer to it as just Barlow. The church is on the northern side of Millcross La in a short length of old road bypassed by the newer Valley Road. The well is within the church grounds, just west of the building.

Type

Overall type: Well dressing.

Overall condition: Lost.

Description:

A traditional temporary well dressing tableau made from flowers and other vegetation pressed into clay held in a wooden frame and comprising a horizontal oblong panel with frieze above.

The main panel depicted a scene of rural England with various farming activities being carried out by women. The frieze bore the inscription in white mixed case roman lettering against a black ground.

Glossary

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Mosaic	Plant material, clay	c2000	c2000	c2000	Lost
Frame	Wood	c2000	c2000	c2000	Unknown
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

Lend A Hand On The Land

1939 2014

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict	WW2 (1939-1945)	Totals
Action	Lend a Hand on the Land campaign.
Number died	0	0
Number served and returned	0	0
Total names	0	0

Administration

Custodian: Presumed to be the well dressing group.

Local authorities:
From 1974: Barlow Parish Council; North East Derbyshire District Council; Derbyshire County Council.

History

July-August 2014: The dressing was planned, designed and made by the local community.

13th August, 2014: The dressing was blessed by the local clergy.

14th August, 2014: The dressing was displayed for a few days and then dismantled, the materials being salvaged for re-use..

References

Information and photograph contributed by Glyn Williams of Well Dressings.com

Comments

The Lend a Hand on the Land campaign began early in the war and was aimed at encouraging everyone suitable to help out with farming activities in order to improve food production. Although often associated with the Women's Land Army (resurrected from its WW1 origins) the campaign was really aimed at a much wider audience.

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