Well Dressing

Series

Series Name

Colour Pictorial

Issue

Issue No.

403

Date Released

17 Sep 1962

Date recorded

23 Aug 1962

Length of issue (in feet)

755

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1Tufty Club
2. 2Well Dressing
3. 3Castle Combe
4. 4Fairground

Story

Story No. within this Issue

2 / 4

Summary

NoS Summary - Wells in Derbyshire are decorated with Bible-inspired pictures made of flowers and plants.

Researcher Comments

Commentary: An unforgettable event several centuries ago brought about a curious yet charming tradition. In a time of terrible drought, a number of Derbyshire wells remained full of water. Ever since, each summer, the villagers have dressed the well-mouth with pictures painted with flower petals. Scores of hands work together to create the pictures that symbolise the gratitude still felt many years later.

Keywords

Customs and traditions

Locations

Derbyshire; England

Written sources

British Pathe online database
Pathe Pictorial Issue Sheets   Used for commentary

Credits:

Commentator

Wilfrid Thomas

Length of story (in feet)

329

Story extras:

Film clip

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This series is held by:

Film Archive

Name

British Pathe Ltd

Email

info@britishpathe.com

Web

https://www.britishpathe.com/

Phone

0207 665 8340

Address

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London
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Notes

Pathe now also handles the Reuters Historical Collection, which includes the British Paramount, Empire British, Gaumont Graphic and Gaumont British newsreels.

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