River Drive near the junction with Palatine Street, South Shields, England
Characters don’t come much more colourful than Dorothy (Dolly) Peel. The https://fabulousnorth.com/ website describe her as, ‘Fishwife by day and smuggler by night’. In short, she was your ‘go to’ lass for alcohol, tobacco, perfume and lace.
During her lifetime, the pressgang were active, forcing men into military service. Legend has it that she would hide local sailors under her petticoats to avoid conscription. However, this subterfuge only lasted so long, and her husband and son were forcibly enrolled in the navy during the Napoleonic Wars. Dolly stowed away on their ship, and when discovered took on a new career as an onboard nurse and was allowed to stay because of her exemplary efforts before eventually being pardoned and returned to shore.
Dolly was also said to have a great sense of humour and entertained the public in the market place, mocking the fake doctors trading dubious pills. Later in life she published poetry. Imagine her LinkedIn profile with her range of skills. The statue was commissioned by her great-great-great grandson Reginald Peel and based on a surviving photograph. It is also intended as a tribute to all working women. Made of ciment fondu (a fast setting, durable material – everyday’s a school day) the statue was unveiled in 1987.
I had visited Dolly initially last year but got there as the light was fading. Seeing as I was in the area this year visiting new statue Mary Ann Macham I decided to hop over the Tyne, practically opposite Mary Ann across the water to get a better pic. When I reach Dolly this time, the light too is fading, and I check when I first visited the statue. It was exactly the same day last year.
WomenstatuesUK 