I arrive at Ashbrittle village green to find six other women already busy with secateurs and wire, surrounded by trugs full of flowers. I am here for a brand new ancient ceremony: decorating and blessing the well.
In Derbyshire this sort of thing has been going on for at least 700 years, but the Ashbrittle well dressing began just two years ago. My friend J proposed it to her neighbours during the first lockdown – a way to gather safely outside, to counteract isolation and fear, and to reconnect with the local landscape and the elements.
