Well dressing is an ancient tradition, unique to Derbyshire and the Peak District. Springs or wells are decorated with images created entirely by hand, using natural materials such as petals, leaves and seeds.
Si has designed two of the three dressings in Stoney Middleton. The Main Well Dressing can be found on The Nook, near St Martin’s Church and is a tribute to Ethel Haythornthwaite who was instrumental in the creation of the Peak District National Park and Sheffield’s green belt.
The Bath House Gardens Well Dressing design sees a group of swifts soaring into the sky above a beautiful Peak District landscape.
It is estimated to have taken 1,600 hours of labour to create the two main well dressings in Stoney Middleton.
A third, known as the Children’s Well Dressing, which can also be found on The Nook, has been designed by a talented team of young people from the village.
“After much deliberation, it became obvious that ultimately, I wanted to make a statement about the sheer beauty of the park, so I started there.”
After presenting his initial sketches to the Stoney Well dressing team, it became apparent that the blue skies might present a problem for the gathering team who collect the petals, bark and other necessary decoration for the clay pressing. Blue and turquoise in particular, is difficult to find at this time of year in this area.
“After a few redraws and simplifications of the foreground heather, I settled for a series of colour bands for the sky that felt reminiscent of the best moments watching the sunset, where the sun goes down and the sky becomes a rainbow of warm colours. Such a joy, such memories.”
Reflecting on the Well Dressing process as a whole, Si concluded: “My time working with this team of passionate, enthusiastic and energised and experienced volunteers was both humbling and profoundly moving. I am so flattered to have been allowed to be a part of this team and this process. I’m beyond delighted that my work has been embraced and lovingly reproduced in one of the oldest traditions of this country.”
The well dressings are available to view until 3rd August 2025.
A range of Si’s designs are available for purchase at The Cupola Visitor Centre & Shop in Stoney Middleton and his Park Designs Art Gallery is open throughout the year, opposite Hathersage train station, S32 1DP.
1. Contributed
Volunteers from Stoney Middleton Photo: Submitted
2. Contributed
Volunteers from Stoney Middleton Photo: Submitted
3. Contributed
A close-up, showing the intricate detail of the natural materials used Photo: Submitted
4. Contributed
The Children's Well Dressing has been designed by young people from the village of Stoney Middleton Photo: Submitted