Three-day event was cancelled but ‘Oak Apple Day’ is marked

DESPITE the restrictions due to the coronavirus, one major Staffordshire Moorlands festival succeeded in dressing its village well.

The three day Endon Well Dressing Festival, which was to be held over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 23, 24 and 25 had to be cancelled in its entirety due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The festival, which attracts thousands of visitors from over a wide area, was set to celebrate its 176th anniversary this year.

However, to ensure the festival retains its long standing traditions the well was dressed for Oak Apple Day which fell on Friday May 29.

Chairman and well designer for Endon Well Dressing Committee, Robert Barlow, said: “As a consequence of the global coronavirus (Covid 19) pandemic and restrictions imposed by our national government a decision to cancel our Well Dressing Festival due to be held between May 23 and 25 was made.

“Due to the event being cancelled our aim this year was to retain continuity of the festival by replicating our very first Well Dressing of 1845, so a small number of the committee members dressed the well with oak branches.

“Our first well dressing took place on May 29, 1845, (Oak Apple Day).

“The well was simply draped in oak branches by four or five villagers to commemorate the erection of the well by landowner Thomas Heaton. Villagers met by the well and celebrated the occasion by drinking tea and eating crumpets.

“Oak branches have been collected from within the parish and placed and secured to the Well. We at all times have adhered to the guidelines laid down by government.

“The event proved very successful and this act ensures that our 176-year old festival retains its long standing and continuous celebrations.

“We all hope the situation allowing social gatherings will be lifted and that the Endon Well Dressing Festival can return again and celebrate holding a three day event in 2021.”