Water flowing from Bisley Wells

The farm shop was quiet when I arrived mid-afternoon, probably because of the intermittent hail and rain showers being driven across the hills by the strong westerly wind. Definitely April showers weather, and about time too. I was a bit short of time as I had to drive back down into the valley to pick up Woodpeckers near Brimscombe after her last job of the week.

I diverted into Bisley village on a small back lane which leads down to the famous Wells which spring out of the ground beneath the hilltop on which the village church is sited. I have blipped from there before but usually it has been the three ducks that live in the small man-made ponds formed to act as a washing area for villagers from centuries gone by.

I hadn't blipped the several springs a few yards away from the ducks home, which have been channelled through a Cotswold stone wall, with beautiful spouts made of stone leading the water down to ground level. From this point the water gathers together to form a proper stream, and after several miles through the steep valley which it has formed it conjoins the River Frome and flows down to Stroud and beyond.

On Ascension Day each year an ancient ceremony of Well Dressing is held at these outlets. The act of dressing wells with flowers has pagan origins, with its roots in the worship of the life-giving force of water, despite it being at the site of a Christian church. Perhaps I will come back with Woodpeckers to watch the Well Dressing and the village parade. A short Church Service is followed by a Procession to the Wells where wreaths and posies are laid. The eldest 22 children in the Bluecoat village school carry the wreaths and garlands that head the procession and form the centrepiece of the ceremony. These consist of Stars of David, the letters A.D. and the year, letters spelling out the word 'Ascension' and five hoops.

My picture only shows a couple of the six similar outlets, as I was severely restricted in getting a clear wider shot by the parked cars. But I am sure you get a sense of the site nestling right under the steep slopes below the church hill, carpeted with daffodils and tall trees.

The other blips from the Wells:

Heading home

The residents of Bisley's ancient springs