Ashford in the Water Flower Festival

Yesterday was remarkable in that it was a day without rain.  We dropped into the pretty village of Ashford in the Water in Derbyshire on our way to meet up with friends at the nearby village of Great Longstone where we had lunch at the White Lion Inn.

Ashford was busy with visitors along its colourful and welcoming bunting festooned streets. Holy Trinity church had a flower festival but first we visited a couple of the well dressings in the centre of the village.

This smaller one was at the top of Fennel street opposite the car park.  It is known as top pump well. Well Dressings feature in many Derbyshire Villages throughout the summer. This is an ancient tradition the origin of which is unknown. Some sources think the tradition stems from a pagan ceremony of thanking the gods for the gift of water.  Others that it may have been started in the 14th century after the Black Death when people made thanks for clean, fresh water. 

The well dressings are constructed upon a background of a clay board and decorated with seasonal and local flower petals, leaves and other organic natural materials. 

The one above commemorates 70 years of National Parks and shows walkers crossing the River Dove using the famous stepping stones at Dove Dale.

More details of the walkers crossing the River Dove.

 The theme of the church Flower Festival was 'Out and About in the Peak District.'  All aspects of life, work and activities for visitors were portrayed in some wonderful and imaginative displays.  I didn't get to photograph all the displays as the church was busy and some were in dark corners but here are a few.

Rambling by Sarah Winkworth-Smith.  The Peak District is the birthplace of rambling following the mass trespass on Kinder Scout in 1932.

Camping by Hilary Bartlett

Arkwright's Mill by Janine Frost

Stately Homes - Haddon Hall by Angela Warren.  There was also a display for Chatsworth House but it was right under a window flooded with light and my photo didn't turn out well.

Cycling by Hannah Gregory-Campeau

Village Cricket by Jan Gibson

Hospitality by Rachel Kaunhoven

All names, dates and notes taken from the Flower Festival leaflet produced by Holy Trinity Church, Ashford in the Water.

Here is a little more about the Well Dressings from the church website - link.

Ashford in the Water

Ashford is a very pretty village just off the main Bakewell to Buxton road. We had visited once before a few years ago when we were doing some family history research but we decided to drop in again today to have a walk round.



We passed Holy Trinity church where, on our last visit, we had found some of Paul's ancestors in the churchyard. Then we popped into the village shop for a newspaper and a bottle of water. Outside the shop were racks and boxes full of fruit and vegetables.



The shop is fascinating inside, selling all sorts of things like newspapers, greetings cards, ice cream, gifts and there is also a deli counter with meats, cheese etc. There was hardly any room to move around as every available space was full of goodies.



The back of the shop was covered with this lovely russet coloured vine, growing all over the walls and up to the roof.



We crossed the sheep wash bridge over the River Wye. The people on the bridge were feeding the swans and ducks on the water below.



By now the mist had cleared and the sun light was glinting on the water.



The cottage behind the old market stand is next to the bridge and has a wonderful garden spreading down to the river.

When we left Ashford we drove up to the village of Sheldon and then walked across the field to the Magpie Mine, an old lead mine whose workings and disused buildings are still in situ. From there we drove back towards Brierlow Bar and spent some time browsing in my favourite bookshop - I will write more on the mine and bookshop next time, as there is a connection between a book I've been reading and the mine.