Derbyshire War Memorials
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Memorial Title

VE Day (Temporary)

Summary
Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a temporary WW2 war memorial well dressing commemorating VE Day, at Pilsley, Derbyshire.
Images
memorial Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.
Locations
Last known location:
Gregory's Well
Roadside
Pilsley La
Pilsley
Derbyshire
Nearest postcode:
DE45 1PF

NGR:
SK 24174 71110
(From online digital mapping.)
(Map opens in new window.)
Location details:
Gregory's Well is about 108m along Pilsley La from its junction with High St. It is behind a white gate in the wall opposite Box Tree Cottage and the well dressing is suspended on an internal wall.
Type
Overall type: Well dressing Overall condition: Lost


Description:

A temporary Derbyshire well dressing display traditionally made from flowers and other vegetation pressed into clay held in a wooden frame but now often utilising stones, beads, fabric etc. The dressing comprised a square frame with a frieze at the head bearing an inscription in green upright capital lettering on a brown ground. At the foot and to each side were white margins bearing further inscriptions in black upright capital lettering. The main panel in the centre depicted a dove of peace with the date over its wings and a map northwestern Europe with Ireland, the United Kingdom and france coloured with their respective national flags.

Glossary
Components:

ComponentMaterialHeightWidthDepthCondition
Well dressingVarious materialsc900c900 c50Lost
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.
Inscription
PILSLEY

         I
V        N
I         
C    19 95    E
T        U
O        R
R        O
Y        P
         E

50 YEARS
Conflicts and people named:
ConflictSecond World War (1939-1945)Totals
Action or eventVE Day (8th May 1945)
Number died00
Number served
and returned
00
Total names00
Administration
Custodian: Not known

Local authorities:
From 1974: Pilsley Parish Council; Derbyshire Dales District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
History and Conservation
17th April, 1951: The Peak District National Park was inaugurated: the memorial was within it.

Spring and Summer 1995: The memorial was designed and made by members of the local community.

Summer, 1995: The memorial was photographed by Glyn Williams. After the period of the display the dressing was dismantled and components salvaged for future use.
References
Further details about well dressings may be found at welldressing.com run by Glyn Williams.
Comments
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Page © Roy Branson