Florence Nightingale Honoured By The Derby Beer Festival

2010 marks the 100^th anniversary of the death of Florence Nightingale, the most famous and respected nurse in history.

Born on 12^th May 1820 and passing on 13^th August 1910, Florence took her name from the Italian city of her birth. She was the child of British parents who inherited their estate in England, assuming the name and Nightingale coat of arms in the process.

Raised in the picturesque village of Lea, just south of the popular tourist town of Matlock in Derbyshire, Florence went on to train as a nurse in 1844, providing care for the sick and wounded soldiers of the Crimean War.

Her ‘calling’ to the nursing profession went against the wishes of her family and ultimately formed a barrier to marriage although she did have a number of relationships with men of politics and power.

Florence gained the nickname, The Lady with the Lamp, due to her constant rounds, caring for the soldiers in the dead of night. This affectionate name has been associated her ever since.

Eventually setting up a nursing school at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, Florence went on to teach the virtues of cleanliness and sanitation associated with nursing and for the public at large. This has long since been credited with saving many lives and set a benchmark for others to follow.

The Anglican Church recently named one of its chapels in her name, one of the highest honours that it can bestowed upon a person, to mark the 100^th anniversary of her passing.

There has been a steady campaign gaining momentum in Derbyshire, UK, to name the recently downgraded Derbyshire Royal Infirmary in her honour, a move that is supported by many residents of the City. This move was initially rejected by the local council due to there being the Nightingale McMillan Cancer Unit located across the road from the hospital raising concerns that patients could become confused.

However the mood has now changed and there is hope that the Lady with the Lamp will soon have the DRI, a hospital that she helped to design, named in her honour. On the grounds outside the DRI, there is the famous statue of Florence Nightingale in her familiar pose, holding her lamp aloft.

Adjacent to the Derby Royal Infirmary is the Florence Nightingale public house, frequented by visitors and staff alike at situated very handy for a plethora of acclaimed restaurants in the local vicinity.

Keeping on an alcohol related theme, to celebrate the life of Florence Nightingale, the 33^rd annual Derby Beer Festival has been dedicated to her name. Her image features on literature and the commemorative glasses available at the annual event.