Ashford In The Water Well Dressing

Summary

A look at the annual custom of well dressing at Ashford in the Water in Derbyshire.

Year:

1963

Duration:

0:26:10

Film type:

Colour / Sound

Genre:

Amateur Film

Master format:

16mm

Description

The film begins with general views of Ashford In The Water. The commentary talks about the local church and the number of wells in the village. Next, we see the processes of the well dressing. This starts with the wooden boards that have been soaking in the River Wye. Villagers are shown pressing and smoothing clay onto the boards. After this the design for each board, based on a Biblical scene, is outlined by making holes in the clay. The stage following this involves members of the local community pressing seeds, flowers and natural materials into the clay in order to decorate the boards. These decorations are then mounted near the wells. Some of the local celebrations are shown including a village cricket match and children's fair ground rides. The last half of the film features the procession throughout the village led by the vicar of Ashford in the Water Reverend John Norman accompanied by the assistant Bishop of Derby, Reverend Thomas Parfitt and including scouts, brownies and the Bakewell Silver Prize Band. This is later accompanied by hymns and prayers at each well. The decorations include titles 'Jacob's Dream', 'God's Promise' and 'He Went Forth To Sow'.


Credits

A Desmond G. Hawley Production
Commentary by Betty Rowland
Taking Part: The R.T Rev. Parfitt, M.A - Assistance (sic) Bishop of Derby
Rev. J. Norman M.A.- Vicar of Ashford In The Water
Mr and Mrs G. R. Thorpe
Mr. B Sheldon and the residence (sic) of Ashford In The Water
Also the Bakewell Silver Prize Band.