17th July 2015
This year’s well dressing at Pilsley, near Chatsworth, was devoted to the Chesterfield Canal.
The Well Dressing about the Chesterfield Canal.
If you do not know about Derbyshire Well Dressing, click here.
For details about the Pilsley Well Dressing, including directions, click here.
It was set on the village green.
It came in three parts, the crest was at the top.
The centrepiece was a view of Bridge no. 1 at St Helena’s, showing the Crooked Spire.
Dawn Rose at the bottom.
Here you can see the incredible detail done with natural products.
The whole thing was mounted on a really strong wooden frame.
We are incredibly lucky because Raymond Bradshaw, one of the leading lights in the production of this masterpiece, sent us lots of photos (see below) during its construction.
The whole thing is made in wooden frames. These are filled with clay and the outlines are put in with black wool.
Gradually, the picture is made up with natural materials …..
….. until the final version emerges.
(Note the Friends of Dawn Rose leaflet at the top left to help them.)
These three photos show the same process for the crest.
This is for the centrepiece.
There were three more Well Dressings in the village. This was at the school …..
….. this was opposite the pub …..
….. and this was at Gregory’s Well, just down the road from the pub.