Narnia magic to inspire festival well dressers

16 hours ago

Tanya Gupta

BBC News, West Midlands

A well previously inspired by Narnia included snowflakes and a lion

Malvern Hills District Council A decoration over a well includes a peach coloured fabric background, a model of a lion surrounded by sun rays, and snowflakes on the cloth. There is a wreath made of twigs and a floral garland. — A well previously inspired by Narnia included snowflakes and a lion

Magical tales will inspire people dressing wells in the Malvern Hills for a festival to be held in May.

Up to 45 wells will be decorated for the Malvern Well Dressing Festival and this year the theme is linked to the area's history of storytelling, magic and folklore.

Parts of the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings and Rings, and the medieval classic Piers Plowman are thought to have been inspired by the local area, Malvern Hills District Council said.

Well dressing organiser Phil Ironside said the festival was "an amazing celebration of water and of Malvern's water heritage".

Alice in Wonderland inspired one well dresser who created a stream of tea out of flowers

Malvern Hills District Council A teapot is placed above a well and pink, yellow and white flowers are arranged to look like tea pouring out of the spout. — Alice in Wonderland inspired one well dresser who created a stream of tea out of flowers

Also seen in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and other areas of England, the activity, described by the countryside charity the CPRE involves decorating wells with flower petals pressed into wooden frames packed with soaked clay.

However, decorations in Malvern have also used textiles and garlands - and models including a teapot in a previous display based on Alice in Wonderland.

The festival gets under way on May Day weekend and runs from Saturday 3 May to Sunday 11 May, with wells being dressed on 2 May, judging taking place on opening day and prize-giving on the Bank Holiday Monday.

Organised by the Malvern Spa Association, last year saw more than 800 people take part in decorating the wells and springs.

Entertainment planned this year includes singing, blessings, dowser workshops and maypole and Morris dancing.

Mr Ironside said: "We can't wait to see what incredible creations the well dressers produce."

People who want to take part can get in touch with the well dressing committee or visit the Malvern Well Dressing Facebook page.

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