Three-day well dressing festival returns
A DERBYSHIRE village’s hugelypopular well dressing returns next weekend for a three-day festival.
The well dressings began in Etwall in 1970 and have taken place each year over the third weekend in May, which this year will be on Saturday, 18, Sunday, 19 and Monday, 20.
Well dressing is the art of decorating springs and wells, or places where wells used to be located, with pictures made from natural growing things.
This ancient craft is thought to have pagan origins developed from the age old fear and worship of water gods and spirits.
Eight well dressings will be on display this year commemorating anniversaries and topical themes, or similar, which this year will include: Peter Pan and Wendy; Popeye; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Love of Reading.
Both village churches will also have themed floral decoration.
All well dressings will be erecting at their locations by around 8.30am next Saturday and will be ready for viewing by visitors from mid morning.
Entertainment will commence on the village green at 11am and the Blessing of the Wells is then at 11.30am, at which a multidenominational service takes place to officially open the festival.
Anyone interested in watching one of this year’s well dressings under construction can do so between Monday and Thursday next week by phoning 07989 127013 for an appointment.
Also, those keen to try their hand at well dressing will be able to give it a go under expert supervision during Well Dressing weekend.
As usual the event will have plenty of entertainment, activities and challenges for the whole family to enjoy on the Saturday and Sunday, including: a parade, traditional dancing, live music and a new open mic feature, together with Inflate and Paint, puppet shows, children’s fairground rides and a climbing wall, as well as bowls, football and rugby challenges plus the popular Duck Trail.
Also included will be displays of classic vehicles, the Etwall Well Dressing archive and an art exhibition by local artists, as well as birds of prey to see, hold and learn about, together with over 20 craft and produce stalls.
One of this year’s big attractions will undoubtedly be the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire and Hurricane fly past.
Homemade food, street food and refreshments will also be on offer at various locations around the village.
Admission is free, but all donations will be gratefully accepted and go to this year’s beneficiaries:
■■The Invisible Friends
■■1st Hilton Guides
■■Etwall Welfare Trust
■■1st Etwall Rainbows