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BONSALL WELL DRESSINGS

 AND CARNIVAL

THE FEATURE

Well dressing is not unique to Derbyshire, but it is the county where the tradition is the strongest.  Almost all the wells dressed every year are either within the county, or only a short distance from the county boundary.

 

Visitors flock to Derbyshire year after year, not only to admire the dedicated work of the well dressers in producing such intricate, if short lived works of art , but to enjoy the  many events that take place at the same time in most towns and villages. Normally the wells are dressed for a period of three to eight days. It is best to try to visit during the first few days as the displays tend to deteriorate quite rapidly. The problem occurs when the clay dries out quickly, particularly in hot dry weather made worse if there is a wind blowing.

Bonsall's first Carnival and Well Dressing took place in 1927, when the event was organised by Fred Bunting the local primary school head teacher and Miah Doxey the owner of the village fish and chip shop. Although there have been some breaks notably during the Second World War. Wells are now regularly dressed usually on the last Saturday in July. Flowers are very plentiful at that time, ‘only things that grow’ being the traditional rule for well dressing in the village. 

PRESS RELEASE 2007

Bonsall Village, nestling in the Derbyshire Dales, celebrates it's 80th Anniversary Carnival week commencing Saturday 28th July. The events gets underway on Saturday at 1.15pm with the Carnival procession which takes in many of the local well dressings and creatively decorated houses. There will be an array of different entertainment's during the day including the famous Bonsall Ducking Stool, Pai Pai Drumming Group, 10 pin Bowling, Story Telling, Inflatable Games, Coconut Shie and Children's Entertainer. Further rides, stalls and refreshments will be situated in the village park and many of the past Carnival Queens, spanning the decades will be in attendance to help celebrate this monumental day.  The evening entertainment will include a performance by the fantastic local band,"Chaser".

Sunday's activities commence with the blessing of the wells at 2pm starting from St James' Church. Cream teas will be served in the village hall and in the park, there will be musical performances from a local brass band and the village choir followed by a dance display from Bonsall School. During the evening, a family feature film will be shown in the park marquee.

On Monday at 6.30pm there will be lantern making in the village hall for the young and young at heart and a fun run at 7.00pm starting from the famous Bonsall Cross. On Tuesday the preliminary rounds of the 5-a-side football competition "kicks off" in the park at 6.30pm with BBQ and refreshments available during the evening. Wednesday's activities commence with the children's sports event in the park at 4.00pm followed by the legendary wheelbarrow race which sets off from the The Pig of Lead at 7.00pm. The walking treasure hunt begins at 6.00pm from the village hall on Thursday followed at 7.00pm by the bike race from the cross. Friday's activities begin at 6.00pm in the park with the final of the 5-a-side football match which coincides with a BBQ and children's activities. The weeks festivities will draw to a close with the spectacular lantern procession and firework display at dusk accompanied by local band " The Sinners", bringing Bonsall Carnival week to a close.  Chair: Hazel Baldwin - 01629 824631.

WELL DRESSINGS

 

A series of special features well dressing features including:

1. Introduction

2. History

3. Construction

4. Diary of Events

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BONSALL CARNIVAL AND WELL DRESSINGS

Bonsall Well Dressings for 2007, run from Saturday 28 July to Friday 3 August. On the Sunday the blessing of the wells commences at 2pm, starting from St James' Church. To be updated for 2008 on receipt of details.

Bonsall Carnival Week coincides with the well dressings.

MORE INFORMATION ON BONSALL

 

Little groups of cottages huddled together on odd plots of land along winding streets add to the charm of this attractive scattered village. Click below for a special feature.

 

Bonsall Feature

 

WALKING

 

Enjoy a walk in the spectacular countryside that surrounds Bonsall.

 

Bonsall Walk

 

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