Anyway, as with so many things, it was ever thus! We’ve just come across a postcard written by
a visitor to White Nancy in the early part of last century which comments on
the graffiti, as well as a little piece of local folklore:
‘Climbed up to this landmark with instructor
R. Ridings & Patrol Leader Tom Forster on Sunday
25 July 1915. Had to come down in the pouring rain. It is a stone edifice whitewashed inside & out, it had
been newly done outside. Inside the walls are covered in names and initials almost to the
apex. On the floor is a big round stone table whose supports are now broken & round the edge
is a narrow stone form. It is said a prize is to be given to anyone who can get the table top out
of the doorway & roll it down the hillside. It is far too big to get thro’ it is all in one piece about
9 ft across.’
Over the last few years, a tradition has arisen of painting
White Nancy to mark national events. Remembrance day has been commemorated with
a poppy and this summer saw a Jubilee crown and then Olympic rings emblazoned
on the side. Previous (unauthorised)
makeovers have included a Christmas pudding, Jimi Hendrix and – our own
particular favourite – a penguin. The
picture shows White Nancy earlier this year, decked out to celebrate the
Queen’s Jubilee.
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| Thanks to Ray at www.derbyshireheritage.co.uk for the photo. |
