Well Dressing
Well dressing is Derbyshire’s most famous tradition, although
Chesterfield didn’t take it up until 1864 when the pump in the Market
Place was decorated after a very dry summer.
The blessing of the water supply, in the form of the well, is an ancient
custom which is unique to the Peak District and the surrounding areas
such as South Yorkshire and East Staffordshire. The custom had almost
died out in the 1950s, but since then it has been revived with great
vigour, primarily for the tourist industry. Some sources attribute the
practice to the period of the Black Death in 1348-9, when probably a
third of the population of England died of the disease, but some
villages such as Tissington were untouched.
The local people attributed this to their clean water supply and gave
thanks by 'dressing' the village wells. However, it seems very likely
that the practice goes back much further than this - probably to pagan
times - and the fact that many well dressings have a 'well queen'
suggests echoes of ancient spring fertility rites.
The construction of the well dressing is a skilful art and usually takes
about ten days to perform. Wet clay is spread to a depth of a couple of
inches across a wooden backing board, a design is 'pricked out' using a
paper pattern and then petals and other items are placed in the areas
laid out by the design. This is a laborious and time-consuming process,
and the clay has to be kept damp or it will crack and the petals will
fall off.
This year there are two Well Dressings in Chesterfield, one will be in
the Market Place and constructed by The Tourist Information Centre
staff. The second well will be in the Crooked Spire and will be
decorated by members of the congregation, friends and families.
From the 4th September to the 9th September, the ladies of the Crooked
Spire Flower Guild along with friends and families, will commence the
building and construction of their Well-Dressing. This will take place
in the entrance porch of the church and also outside on the grassed
area, weather permitting. Anyone wishing to watch or take part, please
come along.
Following the 9.30 mass on Saturday the 10th September the Crooked Spire
Well Dressing will blessed by the Reverend Canon Michael Knight, please
come along, we are sure you will enjoy the visit.
Donations at the church will go to the Crooked Spire Flower Guild. The
ladies of the Flower Guild endeavour to the best of their abilities to
decorate the church throughout the year in order to enhance our worship
to the greater glory of God.
At Festival times, Easter, Harvest and
Christmas, they pull out all the stops. The church is a hive of activity
and every altar, the choir stalls, the Baptistry and the West End are
all resplendent. Added to this there is also the attraction of the
Easter Garden at Easter time and the Crib scene at Christmas, both of
which draw many townspeople.
Refreshments will also be available in the Parish Centre Coffee Shop.