INFORMATION

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 The project was conducted in association with Lancaster Museum and has been archived for future generations to look back at the district at the turn of the new Millennium.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.

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