Yesterday was Gee Cross Well Dressing.
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.
The WI dress Booth's Well. Their 2013 theme was Newton Hall. Built around 1380 it is one of the earliest timber framed buildings in the region. For many years it was encased in brick and used as a barn. When the farm buildings were being demolished in the 1960s the ancient cruck framed construction was revealed. Demolition was stopped and the building is now preserved. Excavations took place at Newton Hall in 2012 - see some of the things found there on Old Hyde.
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 Monday Mellow Yellows.
Blue Monday and
Monday Murals.
Oh yes, I've seen this once. Not this specific well, but another on in Derbyshire. Interesting post, thanks.
ReplyDeleteIf I understand it correctly as not native english speaker this is a celebration of a for the occasion specially decorated place where water comes out of the ground. Or are the decorations permanent. Must be something from the dark middle ages or still earlier. Interesting and thanks for showing.
ReplyDeletewhat a neat concept, i've never heard of it before!
ReplyDeleteWell dressing is a new one to me. Thanks for educating me, Gerald.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blue Monday!
Interesting post. It's the first time i heard about well dressing. Sounds like a fun tradition. Thanks for sharing. I played too. Mine are here and here.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. This was all new to me :)
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this before either! Must be a very old custom!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this interesting and unusual sight.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful revived tradition. Don't believe we have anything comparable here including nothing surviving that was built in 1380. I've heard of well dressing and totally love that your local well is featured on this meme. I believe this is the first mural we've had that is partially composed of flowers! Love it. Thanks for contributing to this week's Monday Mural.
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