Well-Dressed in Tissington, 2014, a photo from Derbyshire, England

Photographer's Note

WELL-DRESSED IN TISSINGTON, 2014

Another few pictures taken during our little TE meeting in Derbyshire six years ago, this time from the rather pretty and well kept little village of Tissington.

Unfortunately the weather that day was dreadful with almost constant heavy rain, but we were fortunate in that we visited Tissington during the time of its annual "Well Dressing" event.

The tradition of "dressing" the wells of a town or village by adorning them with artworks and flowers is a very old one whose origins are not completely certain. Some believe it began as a pagan custom of offering thanks to gods for a reliable water supply, while other suggested explanations include villagers celebrating the purity of their water supply after surviving the Black Death in 1348, or alternatively celebrating their water's constancy during a prolonged drought in 1615.

The artworks, usually of commemorative or Biblical scenes, are constructed in wooden frames filled with clay and decorated with natural materials such as plants, flowers and mosses. And in Tissington the tradition is for the dressings be ready for display starting on Ascension Day.

In the main photograph is Will (willperrett) who very kindly arranged our Derbyshire TE meeting - though he didn't do a very good job of organising the weather! He is admiring one of Tissington's wells decorated in remembrance of World War I.

In the workshop, a shot of a pretty garden in Tissington as well as shot of a pretty lady trying to keep dry outside Tissington Hall.

ISO 400, 1/200 sec at f/9, focal length 35mm.

And here are the co-ordinates for the location: 53.069343, -1.741336

Larger version of this photo here:
https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/48186/img_16795.jpg

holmertz, rychem, ktanska, Fis2, ricardomattos, jean113, COSTANTINO, papagolf21, Ilonka1974, adramad has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (221493) 2020-06-07 4:32

Ciao caro John, great view of lovely artwork, wonderful colors, fine details, splendid light and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

CLODO (45116) 2020-06-07 5:14

Hi John

Good pictures to remember these few days spent together, with this special event of the colored Well dressing under a miserable sky.
Cheers
CLODO

holmertz (102636) 2020-06-07 5:29

Hello John,
Once again three very nice photos, among which the main one is a wonder of colourful and eye-catching details. And Will looks like he spent some time "well dressing" himself (as your title also suggests). The artwork displayed here is a delightful example of what could perhaps be regarded as "naivism". Concerning the WS I had the pleasure of meeting Jasmine in London in 2015, when she had come along with Ann and Will to see a large photo show where Kasia was one of the participants. I miss her photos too.
Kind regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (85862) 2020-06-07 5:57

Hello John,

Considering the awful weather that we experienced, this is a very clear and bright photograph. Perhaps, just for a few moments, the rain relented!

I love how well you have positioned Will; his body language suggests he is scrutinising the well dressing and it creates an irresistible urge for viewers to follow his lead.

The well dressing is in pristine condition, the petals have not begun to deteriorate and the colours are bright. It makes an excellent focal point, crisp and interesting.

The old hall, in the b/g, really sets the sense of place. Tissington is so resistant to the changes of time that we could almost believe we had stepped back in time.

Is it raining in Scotland?
It has just ceased here but we have had plenty of rain this morning.
Thanks for sharing this, Bev :-)

jhm (211736) 2020-06-07 6:36

Hello John,

What a lovely old chapel, the Great War has here in Flemish Belgium much remenber around city Ypres, yes we will remember then, only through museums.
Perhaps large stocks are still underground in hidden cellars, according to historian from England.
https://www.tripadvisor.be/Attractions-g188675-Activities-c49-Ieper_Ypres_West_Flanders_Province.html
Wonderful in big format, also lovely detailed.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

rychem (72187) 2020-06-07 8:07

What an interesting historical tradition, of course, water is the most important for people, I am not surprised that this tradition is dedicated to water
regards Ryszard

ktanska (44738) 2020-06-07 9:42

Hi John,
That is very colourful decoration, and grey weather just makes colours look brighter. Such long traditions are wonderful. Big house in the background looks good too.
Kari

Fis2 (170669) 2020-06-07 10:03

Witaj John!
I didn't know this custom.
The dressed well makes an impression.
I like framing and colors.
The man at the well adds charm to this composition.
Well done.
Good evening and nice new week.
Krzysztof

ricardomattos (17460) 2020-06-07 10:44

Hi John,

Linda foto deste po鏾 muito bem ornamentado. Um belo trabalho de quem fez e tamb閙 de quem fotografou (voc�).

Parab閚s

Ricardo

jean113 (27819) 2020-06-07 12:26

Hello John, I have seen many dressed wells over the years, and this is a particularly fine example. (We used to visit Derbyshire quite regularly in the summer.)

Looking at the date this was exactly the same time of year as now.
Will aids your composition, we look at him and then proceed to look at what he is looking at!

The stone cottages in the background are typical of that area.
Lovely work and very informative notes, as usual, thanks.

(I have replied to your comments about the Kynance picture.)
Kind regards, Jean.

Tue (92312) 2020-06-07 13:35

Hello John,
It may have been a grey and rainy day, but the wonderful dressing of the well gave lots of colour to the day. A beautiful photo of the elaborate artwork, which commemorated the centenary of the First World War. The green garden and the charming house provided a lovely backdrop as well.
Lars

COSTANTINO (116405) 2020-06-07 22:16

Hello my friend and have a nice day
thanks for sharing this interesting
photo with us but thanks for your
notes and the explanation about
the...tradition of dressing the wells
of a town or village by adorning them
with artworks and flowers...
regards
costantino

emka (158058) 2020-06-07 23:50

hello dear John, How I regret that I wasn't there with other TE members! This monument commemorating the First world war is so colourful;. The doves with the olive branches, the red poppies are typical symbols of peace and remembrance. Nice to see Will, he appears sometimes, but rather rarely. and in such company, the bad weather and rin is not so important, the atmosphere of friendship and fun is what counts. Charming picture.
best regards MAlgo xx

ifege (47993) 2020-06-07 23:51

Hi John
Will looks a little puzzled by what he is looking at. Good candid photo.
cheers
Ian

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-06-09 7:19

Hello John,
Your beautiful main photo and the interesting information you give shows how much England is a country of old and rich tradition, all of which are honoured.
Even in this bad rainy weather, England seems to have a long tradition😉 ☹
Excellent observation!
Have a nice day, groet Rob

papagolf21 (152607) 2020-06-09 23:25

Bonjour, cher John,
Une composition int閞essante et haute en couleur !
J'aime beaucoup ce lieu � l'architecture typique.
Une note int閞essante. Merci pour la photo en bonus (une gente dame qui prend soin de son appareil photo).
Amiti閟.
Philippe

jemaflor (147046) 2020-06-10 23:51

Hi John,
Well framed, interesting decoration with good colors for your view, good composition with these interested people, tfs.

Ilonka1974 (10289) 2020-06-12 13:49

Hi John,
A wonderful shot !!!
The colors,sharpness and compo is marvellous,
congratulations
Best regards
Janusz

mkamionka (74329) 2020-06-14 5:24

Hi John,
I did recognize the silhouette of Will indeed.
He adds a nice touch with his blue jacket.
I actually had a discussion with my wife about colors of clothes in the photos recently and I see she is rearranging her wardrobe for more photogenic colors, avoiding for example white color...
Anyway, these are great memories. I have not attended this one but all meetings which I attended were so nice.
I feel a bit guilty of not organizing one myself but I do feel so busy with professional and family life and I feel really that I don't do anything properly recently due to the lack of time so I don't want to do anything extra...

Charming mosaic, so full of color here,
Great reportage.
M

adramad (72940) 2020-06-17 11:17

Hi John.
Three sensational photos emerged from that meeting of friends, I like the idea of that celebration adorning with flowers, places in the village, very nice this kind of floral mural in tribute to the end of the war, the lady with her protected camera is seen very elegant and the garden is beautiful on a sunny day it must be a delight.
Point of view, sharpness, luminosity, color and the chosen composition are excellent.
A very beautiful photo. I like.
You have a good day.
Best regards.
Luis.