Well dressing is an ancient custom unique to Derbyshire. Chesterfield began well dressing in 1864 when the Town Pump in Market Place was decorated after a very dry summer. The custom died out, but was revived in 1991 when a well was dressed as part of an exhibition about Derbyshire traditions. Well dressing is the art of making pictures using only natural materials, but this doesn’t explain how such intricate and detailed pictures can be made using only seeds, berries, leaves, flowers… Look at the pictures – can you see where we used dried camomile flowers, thistledown, stalk of dried cow parsley, melon seeds, peppercorns, parsley and chrysanthemum and carnation petals? There will be 2 well dressings on show in Chesterfield this year. Well Locations ‘Crooked Spire’ Church Porch Market Place on Town Pump (opposite Primark) The wells will be closed and locked at 5 pm (at 4 pm on Sunday) Blessing Service Saturday 9 September 2017, 10am at ‘Crooked Spire’ Church (S40 1XJ) Groups welcome. Free coach parking by arrangement – book with Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre (Tel: 01246 345777/8)