Spring is the time for Derbyshire villagers to decorate thier wells and springs with flowers. The origins of the tradition are lost in time but there's generally a consensus that it gves thanks for the purity of water which was believed to have kept villages safe during times of plague.
Whatever the origins today it's a chance to see an artistic tradition still taking place, and visit some, if not all, of the pretty Derbyshire villages involved. There are frequently fairs and flower festivals taking place at the same time, with sleepy villages becoming quite busy for a few days.
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| Tissington Hall |
Usually I'd add on a walk in the surrounding countryside but this spring the weather has been so warm that I settled for enjoying the views from the car park
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| Youlgreave church |
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Church at Ashford in the Water which
holds a flower festival to coincide
with the well-dressings |
Something that's lovely to see is the encouragement of younger generations. Several places have a special Children's Well for which the decorations are created by the schoolchildren of the village, hopefully keeping the tradition alive for years to come.
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