[Markulous]

Having "successfully" avoided taking pics of this annual event in the past (even when my mother used to be involved!) I've actually been in the right place at the right time - these are from my neighbouring village of Youlgreave

Well dressing is thought to have originated from Pagan times, a ritual performed to give thanks for the supply of fresh water. Another school of thought claims that the Romans introduced the custom into Britain, the philosopher Seneca – "where springs or rivers flow we should build altars or make sacrifices." Another suggestion connects the celebration with various outbreaks of plague, certainly the wells at Eyam were used as a means of outside contact during the 1600’s.

Whatever the true origin, the ceremony of well dressing is peculiar to the County of Derbyshire and the fringe areas. Tissington, recorded dressing a well in 1349, is the oldest authenticated instance of well dressing in Derbyshire. The well dressing programme starts in early April and runs through until mid September.

A mosaic picture, built up from natural materials—flower petals, seeds, grasses, leaves, tree bark, berries and moss – is pressed into a 1 inch base of puddled clay, which is held within a wooden frame. The shape of the frames is almost as varied as the choice of theme. Some frames are sectional or recessed and have additions made over the years, the size is roughly 4 to 5 feet wide and 5 to 6 feet high, pinnacles and embellishments can add to this height.

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The dressing is composed of petals and other natural objects - set into clay like scales, so rain just runs off (sun is the big "killer" as it dries everything)
These shots were taken this morning - so after all the rain. The wells were dressed for last Sunday so there has been a little 'wear and tear' but they've survived well (sorry for the pun! )




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Each well in the village is dressed - Youlgreave has 5






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Thanks for looking! Comments - good, bad or indifferent, very welcome!

[P-E]

Always good to see the well dressing......and always colourful

[Dabhand16]

A very interesting and colourful set Mark, even though it looks like the light was not good.

[Tigress]

Well captured Spectacular colours, and the giraffes are my first favourites. I assume, because of the materials used, they face to the north - nice and shady and last longer!

[nichpr]

Remarkable, creative and very colorful. I would assume that there are festivities that go along with the well dressing? Looks like a fun time.
Good shots well captured.
- Paul

[Steve400]

very nice and very interesting!!

[Markulous]

Many thanks for the comments - appreciate your time!

Yeah, the light wasn't good - but, as you say Angela, the boards all face north (to protect them from the drying effect of the sun) so it's actually better, photographically, to have an overcast day (without resorting to flash fill-in)

There is not that much in the way of festivities - it's more of a competitive rivalry thing (luckily, as that's led to the resurgence of interest and participation)

[CathieT]

That's amazing. I too love the giraffe one, but the cupbearer and the baker appears to have an wicked amount of work!

[_MB_]

What a good idea.

I think the dull light suits this actually, it makes the wells stand out all the more.