Ask any native British person to name a famous nurse from history and they are sure to mention Florence Nightingale. Though she was born in Florence, Italy most of her childhood happened in and around the village of Holloway in Derbyshire. She played a big part in dragging nursing into the modern world and is also fondly remembered as "The Lady With The Lamp" who tended to wounded soldiers during The Crimea War (1853-1856).
I walked through Holloway today. The stone houses shown below all most probably predate America's declaration of independence by decades or even centuries. As you can see, it was a sunny day but bitterly cold. It had taken me an hour to drive to the area, passing by Chatsworth House and then through Matlock.
Below, a sheep farm with its modern farmhouse to the east of Holloway. The gang of sheep were enjoying supplementary feed as the sweet, fresh grass they prefer is currently dormant, awaiting the arrival of another spring.
Down in the valley of The River Derwent this farm sign caught my eye. It's a commendable amateur effort, contained in an old picture frame. The bull's head seems almost surreal
In terms of industrial history the valley is very important for it was the site of the first cotton mill in the world to be water-powered. The entrepreneur Sir Richard Arkwright built it and also had the vision to connect Cromford Mill with Cromford Canal. Arkwright patented the spinning frame and many of his ideas were taken up around the world. He was truly one of the giants of the early decades of Great Britain's industrial revolution.
Below - not the first picture I have taken of Leawood Pump House beside The Cromford Canal. The canal sits above The River Derwent and fifty years after the canal's construction it was deemed necessary to find a powerful way of regulating water levels.
It was so good to get out into the light again and to cover five miles, my feet propelling me forward and my lungs occasionally protesting when I climbed up hill. A nice thing about walking on your own is that you can take brief rests whenever you need to without apology or explanation.
A lovely ramble. Thanks for sharing. Blue skies always lift the spirits.
ReplyDeleteWinter can be dark and grey here in northern England so when the sun come out and the air is sharp and clear you can feel reborn.
DeleteBeautiful photos Mr. Pudding.
ReplyDeleteI try my best Pixie.
DeleteYou seem to be able to fine routes to follow that go by interesting and important history. You go from Florence Nightingale to a farmer's sign.
ReplyDeleteThere's something of interest round just about every corner in many parts of England.
DeleteI like reading all of your little history lessons, they're so much more informative than the stuff we learned at school which was mostly how to recite all the kings and queens in their correct order and how many wives Henry the 8th had and then there was some battle we had to learn about.
ReplyDeleteHistory teaching could be so much engaging if teachers first considered the immediate world that the children inhabit and built from there.
DeleteDoes it hurt sometimes when you breathe in very cold air? I find that it can be uncomfortable to the point of painful, and I sometimes see walkers with their mouths covered by a shawl or other cloth, but that's not ideal with specs.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it was a great day for a walk, and you chose a beatuiful area.
The Derwent valley and Arkwright featured in the book about Northerners I reviewed in December. Florence Nightingale is a lovely name, but its bearer was so much more than just lovely.
Yes Florence Nightingale developed the world's first nursing school and saw the value of statistics in relation to health care. She was ahead of her time yet recognised for her achievements in her lifetime. I have never felt especially uncomfortable when breathing in cold air.
DeleteIt is a lovely part of the country. I should visit Derbyshire again. It has been nearly 40 years since my last visit.
ReplyDeleteYou and the "girls" could rent a house in Derbyshire. Better still, you could come over with Lord Peregrine.
DeleteNice to see you out and about on your rambles, and on such a beautiful day. Holloway looks like the perfect English village.
ReplyDeleteIt's off the beaten track and has some lovely houses and views.
DeleteDid you meet any female inmates?
ReplyDeleteHa-ha! Nice one.
DeleteI never knew …..thanks for the history lesson lol
ReplyDeleteI believe it is possible to stay in Lea Hurst - the Nightingale family home.
DeleteGreat photos with such a brilliant blue sky. Those houses sure have been around for a long time. Houses like that would never be seen in the USA.
ReplyDeleteTo me all houses in The States look as though they were built in my lifetime.
DeleteJust lovely! Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI felt as though I had been housebound for a while.
DeleteI mentioned in a comment recently that someone lives in a home, older than my country.
ReplyDeleteNative Americans might dispute that claim.
DeleteGlad you had a good (and scenic) walk despite the cold! Holloway is quite picturesque. If someone asked me for the name of a famous nurse, Florence Nightingale would probably be number one, followed maybe by Clara Barton.
ReplyDeleteWhat about John Gray?
DeleteThat blue sky is so fabulous! It's still cold and snowy here so no hiking for me. I did ride my Exercycle yesterday so that's better than nothing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing so much interesting info, Neil.
Where did you go on your Exercycle? Perhaps the lanes of Tuscany or the quiet roads of South Island, New Zealand?
DeleteI play music from the 70s and 80s and sing along loudly!
ReplyDeleteEllen, you and I would have a great time together! I sing along loudly to 70s and 80s music, too (but I don't have an exercycle).
DeleteYou had a lovely day for your prance, Professor.
ReplyDelete