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| St. Chad's Well |  History  Well Dressing Well Dressing Gallery |
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 THE SUPERSTITIOUS practice of adorning St Chad's well with boughs and flowers and of reading the gospel for the day, at this and other wells and pumps, is yet to be observed in this City on Ascension Day. Thomas Harwood: The History and Antiquities of Lichfield (1806) |
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| History Thomas Harwood's History and Antiquities is the only record we have of St Chad's Well being dressed in the past. It is not known how long before this the practice began or when it ended, and although the intention is likely to be the same as for the modern form of well dressing - which probably dates from the nineteenth century - it is not known what form this 'adorning with boughs and flowers' took or how it compares with the current custom. The dressing of St Chad's Well was revived in 1995 - although at the time it was thought that this was a first for St Chad's Well. That first year, it took place in October, coinciding with Harvest Festival. When it was decided to make it an annual event, it was brought forward to September, to increase the choice of flowers available. The well dressing is now part of an annual open weekend, when there are displays in church illustrating the many and varied activities in which the parish is involved.  Dressing a wellThe process of well dressing is begun by filling the wooden frames with wet clay. The design is marked onto the clay by pricking through pattern pieces. The outlines are then gone over with seeds, cones, twigs, or wool, and the areas within the outline filled, usually with coloured petals, although other natural materials can be used: for example, fleece for clouds. Lastly, the frames are transported to their position at the well and bolted together.  Service of Blessing A short Service of Blessing is held at the well on the Saturday morning, when thanks is given for those who have used their time, skill and creativity to beautify the well, the dressing is blessed, and the people are sprinkled with holy water from the well.   TOP CHURCH GUIDE |
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