Oh Well!

I decided to try some more information about yesterday's well. As some of you pointed out Ailsa Well in Bingley was not a Holywell but a local spring. Most of Bingley was fed by such springs of 'wholesome water' according to: Harry Speight. Chronicles and stories of old Bingley. A full account of the history, antiquities, natural productions, scenery, customs and folklore of the ancient town and parish of Bingley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire online.

Many springs were renowned for different properties and Ailsa Well, named after Alice Hird who lived in the adjoining property, was 'uncommonly hard' but was excellent for cooking vegetables!

There is lots of fascinating (to me) information in this article but I won't bore you without but it did mention St Anthony's Well in Harden. I knew of this but it isn't on the original list given by Freespiral. I remember the plaque being put in place a few years ago so,took a short detour on my way to,church this morning to take another look.

You go up Anthony Lane and pass Well Cottage so the clues are all there but there isn't a well there now! The stone plaque still looks bright and new and it does say The Site of St Anthony's Well' - Oh Well!

The article states that:  'St. Anthony's Well and St. Ives Well, at Harden, are also traditionally credited as holy wells.

St. Anthony was the protector of the lower animals, and especially of pigs, and .....it is not surprising that the name of this saint is preserved in this district, where the sacred boar was so much reverenced, and is commemorated at Bingley to this day.'

Nice to think we had two holy wells just within our village. The St Ives one needs more investigation and I may look into some of the others in the area in the future.