All’s well that ends well as 50th dressing blooms at last
TISSINGTON Well Dressings, taking place from Ascension Day on Thursday, May 26, may be one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country, but it is not the earliest.
Over in the South Derbyshire village of Etwall, the community is already preparing for its own well dressings, which will be on display over the weekend of Saturday, May 21, to Monday, May 23.
The village has been observing the ancient custom since 1970, and decorating its springs and wells with pictures made from colourful natural products that have been growing through the season.
Organisers had hoped to celebrate the event’s 50th anniversary in 2020, but the pandemic led to families observing a “stay at home” well dressing event for residents only.
Now a host of extra activities originally planned for the milestone year have been carried over to this year’s festival.
These will include a flypast by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster and an Anniversary Cake Competition with a charity auction.
Eight well dressings will be on display this year, either commemorating anniversaries or with topical themes.among others, these will include both the poem and hymn themes used on the original two well dressings back in 1970; “This green and pleasant land” and “All things bright and beautiful”.
The Ukraine flag and 200 years since the birth of Anna Sewell will also feature among the themes.
Both of the village’s churches will also have themed floral decorations.
All well dressings will be created at their locations by around 8.30am on Saturday, May 21, and will be ready for viewing by visitors from mid-morning.
There will be a blessing of the wells at 11.30am on the Saturday, at which a multi-denominational service takes place to officially open the festival.
People are also invited to watch the well dressings being made, between Monday, May 16, and Thursday, May 19, by calling 07989 127013 for an appointment.
Other attractions laid on for families include mini traction engine rides; a climbing wall; children’s fairground rides; live music; traditional dancing; puppet shows and various sports challenges and competitions.
There will also be an art exhibition by local artists, a large crafts fair, birds of prey, an Alpacas experience, a classic vehicle display, a well dressing archive display, a local history display and the popular children’s trail.
Homemade food and refreshments will be on offer at various locations around the village.
Admission to the event is free, parking is also free and donations are welcomed to help the following charities – Umbrella Derby and Derbyshire; Heath Fields PTA; Egginton PCC and Etwall Primary PTFA.
Meanwhile, Tissington’s well dressings will begin on Thursday, May 26, with the wells being blessed on the first day, and the six wells beautifully decorated until around a week later. The village’s shops and businesses will be open throughout the festival, along with a craft fair.