Traditional celebration of water supplies

Published on by in Social

This weekend the village of Etwall in South Derbyshire, England celebrated its annual well dressing event. This event involves the decoration of the Village's old well sites with flowers and is accompanied by traditional entertainments such as puppet shows, folk dancing and music.

The event in Etwall was started relatively recently but elsewhere in the County the tradition is said to date back to pagan times where the people would give thanks for their continued supply of water. The tradition was continued by the early Christian Church, in some villages the local village pumps are decorated.

Are any members aware of similar traditions that are carried on today outside of Derbyshire?