17th May 2007 Ascension Day Well Dressing

Ascension Day Well Dressing

Each year parents and villagers collect moss and bring it to school on the Tuesday before Ascension Day. They spend the afternoon with the children mossing symbols in the shape of stars and hoops and letters that spell out Ascension Day AD 2008.

On Wednesday afternoon, the symbols and letters are decorated with flowers. Flowers are collected from local gardens or donated by local businesses.

 

The floral arrangements will be put together by parents, children and villagers under the direction of Diana Chapman on the Parent Teacher Association. Diana Chapman's family have carried out this tradition for generations.

The PTA will be serving cream teas from the school hall after the ceremony on Thursday.

The children also enjoy a tea party back at school.



Procession from school to Wells.

 

Children not carrying symbols make posies to carry.

These posies are placed in the waters of the wells.



 

Only 2 villages in England have this tradition.(One in Derbyshire) Bisley Blue Coat School is crucial to this tradition.