Things to know about Over Haddon Well Dressing

Over Haddon produces two Well Dressings each year.

The main board is situated opposite the water pump and adjacent to the stone water troughs at the bottom of Wellgate Lane; the juniors board is situated in the grounds of the Village Hall on School Lane.

Each year the wooden framed boards are “sunk” in the River Lathkil for two weeks. These are then taken out of the river and set up in a pair of garages in Main Street ready to be  filled with clay.

Once filled with clay and a smooth surface prepared the “pattern” is laid onto the clay surface. It is then that the design is picked out by “woolling”, using black wool and a cocktail stick.

Over the next week, up until the Friday evening, the design will come to life with the use of organic materials and flower petals, known as “petalling”. The nature of flower petals means that they cannot be inserted until the very last minute–making Fridays, each year, frantic!

On Friday evening, the Well Dressings are installed in their positions ready to then be blessed on Saturday morning.

The Well Dressings remain in situ for” ONE WEEK ONLY”.

Over Haddon Village Hall is usually open during Saturday and Sunday for tea, coffee, soft drinks and cakes.

Donations are collected during the week of “petalling” and via the collections boxes at the Well Dressings after they are in place.

Funds raised are divided between a local, a national and an international charity each year.

 

Charity Auction in aid of Over Haddon Village Hall play/recreation area project

Held in the Village Hall on Saturday 20th September 2014 this was a great success and added £2400 to the existing total.

This means that “Phase 1” of the project is now a reality. Phase 1 will include a goal target area, basketball hoop, petanque court, basket swing, benches and large part of the “safety surfacing”.

Subject to final planning confirmation by the Peak District National Park  Authority it is hoped this work can commence before the end of 2014.

The Village Hall Management Committee would like to thank all those companies, organisations and individuals who donated  the 37 lots sold at the Auction.

And a BIG thank you to all those individuals who could not be at the auction and left commission bids on various items from as far away as Cardiff in South Wales!!

Another BIG thank you goes to everyone who turned up on the night and pledged their money in person.