Residents will be busy searching woodlands and fields for materials, while others begin the techniques of puddling and black-nobbing to make intricate pieces of art to be displayed over wells and springs throughout the Peak and Dales.

Well dressing has been around since at least the 14th Century and is still a popular activity for residents and visitors who flock to the normally sleepy towns and villages in their thousands to see the latest displays.

Today the black-nobs, or alder cones, which make the outline of the picture, have been replaced with coffee beans and the children's dressing can often be seen with a television-inspired theme. But very little else has changed in the way the boards are prepared and displayed.

Generations

It's still a community activity which involves generations of families taking about five days to make their own dressing for the village.

In Tissington, which held its well dressing activities last week, four generations work together each year to create a display.

This is the first year 90-year-old great-granddad Bob Unwin was unable to take part in the preparations but he was still involved in well blessing activities.

His granddaughter, Wendy Greatorex, said: "It is just something that we were brought up doing. I have done this for 21 years and have been part of it since I was about three or four."

She added that community spirit has helped to keep the tradition alive in the village and everybody still gets involved.

Her daughter Kelly (16) helped with the children's well, which had a Dr Who theme this year, and her two other children, Jamie (14) and Sam (12), also helped with the preparation.

Tissington well dressings attracts up to 35,000 people during the week-long activities and villagers throughout the Peak and Dales prepare displays and refreshment for hundreds of visitors during their events.

Well dressing dates in the Peak District:
* Ashford In the Water: May 17-25
* Wirksworth: May 24-27
* Middleton by Youlgre-ave: May 24-29
* Monyash: May 24-31
* Tideswell: June 21-29
* Over Haddon: June 21-29
* Litton: June 21-29
* Youlgreave: June 21-26
* Rowsley: June 23-28
* Hope: June 28-July 5
* Bakewell: June 28-July 7
* Hathersage: July 5-13
* Bamford: July 12-20
* Tansley: July 12-16
* Stoney Middleton: July 26-August 4.
* Bradwell: August 2-11
* Taddington: August 16-23.
* Eyam: August 23-30.
* Hartington: Septem-ber 13 -20.

For more information contact Bakewell Visitors Centre on (01629) 816558.


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