Almost exclusive to Derbyshire, is the art of Well Dressing and Buxton is host to The Well Dressing Festival & Carnival a celebration of the practice of decorating wells and springs with flower petals, leaves and anything ‘natural’, as a thank you for the gift of water.
These colourful displays, often taking weeks to make, have their origins in pagan sacrifices to the water gods. Today, they have a strong religious link with a blessing of the well and service of thanksgiving. Buxton has three wells and since 1840 the Higher Buxton and St Anne’s Wells have been dressed by volunteers culminating in the blessing service on the 8th July and celebrated by a street carnival. This years festival will include a demonstration of the ancient art and craft of Well Dressing, a children's Concert, funfair, crowning of the Festival Queen a carnival parade and much much more…
More Information
Secretary: +44 (0) 1298 71352 (Mr C Simpson)
Senior Well Dresser: +44 (0) 1298 24201 (Mrs A Gould)
e-mail. info@buxtonwelldressing.co.uk
Website. www.buxtonwelldressing.co.uk |
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