SuperJoan's Fotothing

These are from the village of Eyam this weekend is their festival..
The Custom of Well Dressing is mostly unique to Derbyshire, its origins and history are not certain but its roots are said to come from pagan customs of making offerings to Water Gods, many Wells were thought to have healing powers and during early Christian times offerings continued to be made.
The place with the longest documented association with Well Dressing is Tissington, a beautiful village south of Buxton, it is said that the custom began there after an outbreak of the Black Death 1348 - 1349,in Eyam although the surrounding population was ravaged by the plague in Tissington all escaped, this was put down to the purity of their water supply, in thanks ,the village Wells were dressed with foliage and the custom has continued with few breaks, in 2000 over 650 years of Well Dressing was celebrated. Well Dressers all around Derbyshire take great pride in continuing this ancient tradition and offering thanks for the gift of clean and plentiful water so often taken for granted. In the early years of Well Dressing wells were decorated with garlands of foliage, but the dressings became more elaborate about 200 years ago when floral cameos showing something to do with water such as waterfalls or fountains were introduced, subsequently more elaborate pictures depicting biblical scenes were dressed, again relevant to water such as Jesus turning water into wine.The patterns are on a bed of Clay and salt mixed, then the picture is outlined with black wool and filled in with Flower petals, seeds and all natural fruits. Several people undertake this and it can take up to a week to accomplish..