Our office is based in the Peak District town of Wirksworth and this weekend, the town has been practicing the custom of well dressing. The custom is unique to Derbyshire and the Peak District. It is believed to have been introduced to bless village water supplies during the period of the plague, but there are also possible links to Paganism and fertility rituals. In Wirksworth, well dressing has been practised since 1827 and coincides with a carnival. Displays are decorated with petals, cones, seeds, fruit and these are set into clay boards, creating colourful displays that are often accompanied by religious words to give thanks to the water. Here are a few photographs of some of Wirksworth’s well dressing displays. If you would like to experience the art of well dressing for yourself, try the Pride of the Peak Walk: contours.co.uk/walking-holidays/pride-of-peak-walk.php, the White Peak Way: contours.co.uk/walking-holidays/white-peak-way.php or the Limestone Way: contours.co.uk/walking-holidays/limestone-way.php
Posted on: Tue, 27 May 2014 14:33:45 +0000
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