A small group of enthusiasts brought the ancient craft of ‘Well Dressing’ to Whaley Bridge in 2000 to commemorate the millennium. The date and venue for the event were specially chosen to coincide with the celebration of the coming of the canal to Whaley Bridge 200 years ago.
‘Well Dressing’, or as it was once known ‘Well Flowering’ is one of the oldest and best known customs in Derbyshire. It celebrates the gift of water, by decorating clay filled wooden panels with flower petals, seeds and almost any available natural materials.
You can view the intricacy of the 2013 design for the main well by clicking on the image above.
The flower petals are pressed by hand into the clay, in an arranged picture or design.
The dressing process takes place in the week prior to the event.
You can also view photographs of Whaley Bridge Well Dressings since our first attempt in the Year 2000 by clicking the ‘Category’ links to the right of this text.
PHOTOGRAPHS FOR 2013 ARE NOW ONLINE
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