17 May 2007 - Ascension Day

Pupils of Bisley Blue Coat School will be marking Ascension Day with their annual wells dressing ceremony on Thursday May 17.

The event, during which children process through the village carrying flowers to lay on the village?s historic wells, will be led by the parish's vicar the Rev Simon Richards.

The wells dressing ceremony was started by Canon Thomas Keble, Bisley's vicar for almost 50 years, in 1863 as a way of giving thanks for the village?s pure water.

The tradition is upheld every year by Bisley Blue Coat School, with the help of parents, grandparents and villagers who put together the floral decorations carried by the children.

The procession through the village will be headed by the school's eldest pupils, Chloe Edwards, Jade Garrow, Alice Sales, Joel Martin, Callum Gegg, Jack Fryer and Christopher Hayward. These Year 6 pupils will be wearing 19th Century-style uniforms and lead figures.

The procession is lead by pupils carrying two large stars, followed with the letters and numbers that make up AD 2007 ASCENSION. These are followed by pupils carrying hoops of flowers. Younger members of the school will follow with posies.

The wells dressing ceremony will be preceded by a church service after which Mr Richards, joined by the Avening Silver Band and a cross bearer, will lead the procession to the wells for a further service of thanksgiving.

The festivities will end with tea served at the school.

Expected times for wells dressing: Church service 2.15pm; procession 2.45pm; wells service 3pm.
Members of the media are most welcome to attend. Please inform the school if you intend to come. The wells dressing procession assembles in the school playground (next to the church) and will march down the High Street to The Wells.

For more information about Bisley Blue Coat School call the head teacher, Miss Sam Porter, on 01452 770 251. For information about All Saints Church call Susie Bromley on 01452 770 232.