DERBYSHIRE WELL DRESSING.
Water has always been a precious necessity and commodity and in places such as Derbyshire (middle England) which is predominantly an area of porous Limestone sources of fresh water Springs and Wells have since pagan times be held as very precious sites. So precious that over the centuries the ritual of Blessing the wells was of major local significance. Originally pagan ceremonies were held to give thanks for the water and to protect it from evil spirits but like all traditional pagan customs the Churches sought to regularise the tradition with a Blessing. Wells were also decorated in celebration of the gift of water and over the centuries this decoration became known as Well Dressing.
The Well Dressing takes many forms but the most popular to-day is the use of large display boards that are first filled with wet clay then have intricate religious designs (both traditional and modern) created by the use of flower petals, herbs and seeds. Here is one such design (each year and each village has a different theme)….
This well is at Youlgrave and is just one of several in the village. On Well Dressing day the village is lead on a procession from the church and visits in turn each of the villages well’s. The procession is lead by the Village Band followed by Church dignitaries then the villagers and of course lots of visitors. At each Well there is a short Blessing and Prayers said in thanks for the continuing supply and the purity of the waters. Prayers said then the procession moves onto the next well and the service repeated…..
The Well Dressing season usually starts on Ascension Day and continues from Village to Village till early Autumn.
30th April
© David Oakes 2013
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 
So beautiful dear David, I wished to be there… Thank you. Blessing and Happiness, love, nia
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I do in this simple way try to ‘take you there’. Glad you enjoyed the short visit!
Best Wishes, David
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Fabulous, David. Wonderful display boards. It’s lovely to see there are quite a lot of similarities between our countries. I like the reason for this feast: wells. Water is important to life.
We have a flower parade. Just had it last weekend, Saturday 20 April. Bevause of the long cold winter, we had to import most flowers from France! But the result is just great.
People here do not know about the origins of the parade but the event is used as a social gathering. When you Google on Dutch Flower parades and then click on images you will see plenty photos.
But NONE that has such an old tradition like this one you show us. Thank you.
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Thanks for that and sharing your pics. Just such a shame that this year Spring is so late and you had to import flowers. On the other hand it does show that we need to respect the climate.
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Interesting reportage. I visited Derbyshire 20 years ago. You let me travel there again from time to time 🙂
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I will see that we take you back there over the year so you can see the seasonal changes.
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