So much is going on at annual well dressing!..
Lots to organise as Endon’s big event takes place on Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend
PREPARATIONS are now well advanced for the annual Endon Well Dressing event.
Organisers have put together a varied programme of activities for the two day event, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5.
Grace Williamson was chosen to be the Queen in 2020 but unfortunately due to the pandemic has had to wait until now to finally be crowned.
Twelve-year-old Grace is the eldest daughter of Joanna and Tony Williamson and her younger sister Alice is now joining in and is attending on her retinue.
Grace attends Endon High School and enjoys listening to music and making her own by playing the guitar, she loves arts and crafts - in particular making sculptures with clay. Wildlife and animals are her other hobbies especially horses, Grace is hoping to get back into riding lessons.
Grace loves to spend time at home with her family and friends and is looking forward to at last being crowned the 2022 Queen.
She said: “I’m looking forward to everyone being able to get back together again and doing what they love most.”
A spokeswoman for the event said: “We’ve got a bonfire and firework display this year to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Sunday night.
“We also have lots of new things including a Jubilee picnic area; Arm wrestling; Family sports day (Sunday); Vintage tractor display; Classic cars and motorcycles; dance and musical theatre show; Star Wars actors and lots of new arts and craft stalls.” On Saturday there will be a craft fair in the marquee in the Top Field. In the afternoon there is free children’s entertainment by The Circus Academy, Leek, where you can practice your circus skills – juggling, stilt walking, hula hooping to name a few! At 1.30pm, a Thanksgiving Service will be held in the Parish Church of St. Luke’s conducted by The Bishop of Stafford, the Rt Reverend Matthew Parker, assisted by Reader Barrie Jackson. After the service the procession will continue into the village.
The Blessing of the Well will take place at 2.45pm and at 3pm the ceremony of crowning Grace
Williamson as 2022 Queen will be held. This will be followed by traditional Maypole Dancing by local children.
There will be a Community Choir in St Luke’s Church at 4pm, followed by a duck race on the brook and dance and musical theatre show in the maypole arena
At 7pm a disco and Stax of Soul in the Top Marquee, refreshments and bar available. Admission strictly by ticket only.
On Sunday at 10am The Well Dressing Queen, retinue and personalities will attend morning service at Endon Methodist Church Service. At 11.30am there will be a 5K fun run around the village. Starting from the Black Horse and finishing at the main well.
This will be followed during the day by an arts and craft fair; children’s entertainment by The Circus Academy; Classic Car and Motorcycles; Pet show; Hearts of Oak Morris Men Dancers in the village; Family sports day and Duck race on the brook.
At 6.15pm a Songs of Praise will be held in front of The Well led by The Burbage Brass Band. If the weather is wet it will be held in the top marquee.
At 7.30pm the Tossing the Sheaf open Competition for the Ken Smith Challenge trophy and £25 prize will be held. This will be followed at 8.30pm by arm wrestling (free entry) demonstration and open Competition with Trophy and £25 prize.
The weekend event will conclude with the lighting of the bonfire and firework display.
I’m looking forward to everyone being able to get together again and doing what they love
Grace Williamson