General Information
During the year 2000 D J Clark built a visual record of the Lancaster &
Morecambe district using photographs and information submitted by those that
feature in the pictures. The project was conducted in association with Lancaster
Museum and has been archived for future generations to look back at the district
at the turn of the new Millennium. For more information on the project visit
the information page. If you find a caption is
wrong or there is a fault with the page please e-mail D
J Clark.
Date:
November 2nd, 2000
Location: Lancaster Infirmary,
Ashton Road
Photographer's Diary
Thursday 2nd November - Ward 23, Lancaster Infirmary
The country had been in flood. All the news had talked about over the past few
days was floods, floods and more floods. The Lune had always been an early river
to burst it's banks, but I had heard little of any problems in this area. The
Ribble was one big lake as was other rivers to the east. York was one big lake,
and I was determined to get the picture for the project. Today was my first
real opportunity and it had not stopped raining for some time.
I drove down the Lune stopping from time to time to find something. I had photographed
this stretch in full flood a couple of years earlier, and presumed it would
be easy. The truth was not so. The odd large puddle and some evidence of Monday
night when the water was at its worst. I went home with just a few pictures.
I was told before starting the project that access to such subjects as hospitals
would not be allowed. Not so. A few phone calls and a sister in law in charge
of a ward was enough power to get the permission desired from higher quarters.
I had this one on the back burner since the summer, and now I had a free day
and a perfect opportunity. Sister Craig (sister to me in both meanings) met
me at the nurses station sometime after lunch. It was quiet and the patients
knew I was coming.
I started in the hand over meeting and moved from patient to patient. Nearly
all were happy to talk and as usual I was often greeted with scepticism which
slowly melted away as I chatted and explained the project. It was easy to get
a feel for the ward but little I could do to get any actual nursing. Anne pointed
out some blood pressures were to be taken and a temperature or two. I even got
a bed making but that was about the lot. I didn't stay long.