Saddleworth wells dressed to mark summer tradition

Saddleworth Museum

Villages across Saddleworth will be showing off their well dressings this month, as part of an ancient custom.

Many places in rural England decorate wells, springs or water sources with designs made of flower petals – and Saddleworth is no different.

Designs will be on show across Saddleworth until 22 September.

There’ll be dressing in Uppermill, at the Sacred Heart Parish Church, Saddleworth Museum, and Saddleworth Medical Practice.

Last year, Saddleworth Museum designed a well dressing to celebrate their first anniversary of their refurbishment.

It was crafted over three days, using locally sourced flower petals, stones, slate and bark all pressed into clay.

This year, the design is themed around suffragette Annie Kenney, from Springhead, to mark 100 years since some women got the right to vote.

The 70-year anniversary of the NHS is the theme for Saddleworth Medical Practice.