4th July 2015 until 13th July 2015

Buxton Well Dressing is a custom which began in 1840 and has since continued to the present day. Thanks to the dedication of many local people this tradition has now become enshrined in local history.

The process of dressing the wells takes a lot of time and team work, with clay first being applied to the boards carefully, before being transported to the petallers. Here, a team will work hard to decorate each mural according to designs that are inspired by history, culture, religion, anything and everything that our local community holds close to its heart. The final boards are then taken to each of the wells before being blessed by local clergy, the mayor of Buxton and the previous year’s Carnival Queen. Then – the festivities begin!

Event Dates and Times

• Well Dressing Demonstration Wed 01 Jul 12 noon til 6.00pm St John’s Church
• Well Dressing Demonstration Thu 02 Jul 9.00am til 6.00pm St John’s Church
• Well Dressing Demonstration Fri 03 Jul 9.00am til 4.00pm St John’s Church
• Well blessing service and procession Sun 05 Jul 1.45pm St Anne’s Church
• Crowning Ceremony Sun 05 Jul 3.00pm St John’s Church
• Dominoes Competition Mon 06 Jul 7.30pm Blazing Rag, Manchester Road
• Historical Presentation Mon 06 Jul 7.30pm Burbage Institute
• Festival Royalty Tour Wed 08 Jul 1.45pm
• James Mellors Festival Fair 2015 Thu 09 Jul 5.00pm to 10.30pm Market Place
• James Mellors Festival Fair 2015 Thu 09 Jul 5.00pm to 10.30pm Market Place
• Car Treasure Hunt Fri 10 Jul 6.30pm St. Ann’s Well, The Crescent
• James Mellors Festival Fair Fri 10 Jul 5.00pm to 11.30pm Market Place
• Carnival Day – Childrens’ Rides, JTZ Amusements Sat 11 Jul From 10am Pavilion Gardens Promenade
• James Mellors Festival Fair Sat 11 Jul 12 noon until 11.30pm Market Place
• Live Street Music Sat 11 Jul From 12 Noon Bottom of The Slopes
• Live Concert Sat 11 Jul 1pm Portland Hotel
• Dakota Flypast Sat 11 Jul 1.00pm Over Buxton
• Carnival Road Race Sat 11 Jul 1.45pm prompt Buxton Athletic Club
• Carnival Parade Sat 11 Jul 2.00pm prompt See programme
• Lions Duck Race Sat 11 Jul 4.15pm approx Bridge over River Wye, Pavilion Gardens
• Promenade Entertainment Sat 11 Jul 4.00pm Pavilion Gardens
• Carnival Concert in the Bandstand Sat 11 Jul 4.30pm to 7.00pm Band Stand, Promenade, Pavilion Gardens
• James Mellors Festival Fair Sat 11 Jul 12 noon to 11.30pm Market Place
• Football Competition Sun 12 Jul 2.00pm Kick-Off Buxton FC, Silverlands, Buxton
• James Mellors Festival Fair Sun 12 Jul 2.00pm to 9.00pm Market Place
• Church Service Sun 12 Jul 6.00pm St Anne’s Church, Bath Road

Words Source Buxton Well Dressing Image Source Anna Phillips