Whitfield Well Dressing – An Update

Sorry once again to have missed the ‘one a week’ post target – I have a post in the making, which I am currently writing, but it will need a day or so more to do. My excuse this time was preparing for a job interview… which, incidentally, I got. Hurrah! I wont say what as that would give the game away as to who I am, but suffice to say I am gainfully employed in the services of a local museum, at least on a part-time basis. This allows me to continue working with the Blackden Trust, as well as spending time with my wonderful, if exhausting, son.

So, all is good in Hamnett-shire!

No, the main reason for this post is that the ever wonderful Glossop Heritage people have posted some amazing images of the Whitfield Well Dressing – see them here. These are truly amazing, and really show the size of the event as it once was.

I am really quite serious about restarting the well dressing as a new tradition – it has been stopped and restarted on a number of occasions previously, so this is nothing new. I would love to get that number of people involved, with maybe music, dancing, entertainments, food, stalls, etc. a real carnival atmosphere – although, ideally, without the traditional bull baiting, cock fighting, and prize bare-knuckle boxing.

I took a photograph this evening of roughly the same scene as the middle right or bottom left of the lower set of photographs. The original photograph must have been taken from on high, perhaps an upstairs window or something, which means it can’t be replicated properly – but it gives the impression.

I have more information to add about the well dressing, but all in good time. Anyway, enjoy this until I can get something else published.

RH