Although well-dressing is a custom mostly confined to Derbyshire, it can be seen in adjacent counties too. Well dressing celebrations were held regularly in Gee Cross from the 1820s until 1878. The custom was revived by the local Women's Institute in 2000.
Gee Cross Methodist Church stands on land which was once part of Ralph Fold. The farm's well was located behind the present building. This year's image depicts a rainbow which symbolises God's promise to Noah that "Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth".
There are seven stops on the parade around the wells (not all are genuine old wells) and 16 photographs from the event can be found at Gee Cross Well Dressing 2013.
A contribution to signs, signs.
thanks for sharing a custom with which I'm unfamiliar! beautiful setting for the sign!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying your pictures! Love the colorful sign.
ReplyDeletei love this well dressing!
ReplyDeleteWell, I have never heard of such a thing. There are some interesting local celebrations in England!!
ReplyDelete