Garden of the Month, July 2002
Well Dressings 
I find most are unfamiliar with this exquisite floral craft, art and tradition,
pretty much unique to Derbyshire in central England. Dating back
to as early as 1350 and the Celtic traditions of blessing the wells, the
association of most with religious themes dates to the revival of these
in the early 19th century. Several towns create these very perishable
and temporary works of art, usually each June and July, and viewed only
one or two weekends. These panels, made of moist clay, have elaborate
designs composed of 10,000 or so flower petals, seeds, pieces of bark,
or other natural materials. Each of the whole panels as shown below
may be 8 feet high and 10 feet or so wide. Individual close up photos,
as above, may only be about one foot wide. Notice you can even read
the time on the church clock, made of various seeds.
For a quick overview, check out the
Slide
Show.
church and pond, panel,
Tideswell
church and pond, closer
church, very close
pond, close
Bakewell scene
Youlgreave scene
Youlgreave design
Youlgreave, coat
Youlgreave, chariot
more details at a well
dressing history site
