Welldressing

Youlgrave is famous for its welldressing tradition, an annual thanksgiving for water said to have its origin in pagan ritual before becoming (nobody knows when) a Christian festival.  Adorning water sources in some form or another is customary throughout Europe, but there can be few places where it is practised with such spectacular beauty as in the Peak District.  Nowhere is it seen to better effect than in Youlgrave.

However, the village has been drawing its water from taps since 1829, so there are no wells to be seen.  Instead, the welldressing screens are traditionally erected at five points on the main street associated with the old public tapspots.

The Tapspot at Holywell Lane

A typical screen comprises five large, shallow wooden trays, which when assembled and erected has an elevation of at least 9 ft by 7½ ft.  The trays are laid flat on trestles, then filled with clay and smoothed to an even surface onto which the lines of the design are imprinted from paper templates.

When these have been delineated in black knitting wool, natural materials such as moss, parsley, and flower petals are pressed into the clay to create a picture (often biblical) surrounded by an ornate border with a theme or text (always biblical) below.  Each well has its own regular designer and team of welldressers, who work from Monday to Friday in order to have the screen completed and erected early on Saturday, prior to the ceremony of Blessing the Wells in the afternoon.  It will remain on display for five complete days before being dismantled the following Friday.

The Church Well 2001, designed by nnnnn

Welldressing is a skilful and painstaking task, especially as single flower petals must be laid precisely like tiles on a roof.  The petals being delicate and perishable, they cannot be laid until Thursday at the earliest: So much concentration is required and teams have been known to work through Friday night.  The designers prepare the artistry, direct the work and choose suitable materials.  Garden flowers, particularly hydrangeas, are essential, but wildflowers such as buttercups are favoured where practicable.  Collecting them is how most young welldressers begin their careers. 

Tradition requires the screens to be on display at Midsummer Day (feast of St. John the Baptist) - or as near to it as possible.

Further Information:

"The Tap Dressers" an illustrated book by Norman Wilson features the history of Youlgrave Welldressings, how they are made and the artists who create them.  The author may be e-mailed (gnormanwilson@hotmail.co.uk) for general information.

The Hon. Secretary to Youlgrave Welldressing Committee (Peter Pimm, Greenfields Farm, Alport, Bakewell DE45 ILJ) is available to give festival details by fax or phone on 01629 636341.

An illustrated leaflet (£1) by the Committee is available, normally during the festival only.