West Hallam - Finishing Touches
w/e 17 July 2016
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Kodak DX6490
It's the weekend of the West Hallam Well Dressing
Festival and in the past we have seen this uniquely Derbyshire
custom both here and at various other places in the county. Not
only have we seen the finished dressings but also how they are
prepared as well as the many other attractions such as art and
craft fairs, brass bands, folk singers and many dance troupes
to name but a few that go to make up the festivals. None of these
events would be possible without an army of volunteers who work
tirelessly behind the scenes to put the shows together so this
year I thought I would pay tribute to these unsung people as
they put the finishing touches to West Hallam's festival.
The festival opened at one o'clock on Saturday but when we arrived
well before that, the village was already a hive of activity
and many eyes were cast skywards hoping the grey clouds were
not foretellers of rain. An ice cream van pulled up to prepare
for business and barriers were already positioned ready to be
placed across the road to stop traffic once the event had officially
opened.
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Gazebos were being erected at the side of the road.
Tables and chairs were stacked in School Square; a gazebo top
was being secured nearby; heavy loads were being moved behind
the Village Hall at the Craft Fair and tables were being positioned
in The Village.
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Wares were being displayed on several of the stalls ready for
the arrival of the crowds.
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Signs were being hung as those finishing touches were making
everything perfect for the start of the Festival.
Refreshments were being laid out; price labels added to plants
that were for sale; tempting cakes were being arranged for maximum
effect and olives were being stabbed with cocktail sticks.
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A floor was being laid at the entrance to The Dales car park
ready for performances by the Well Heeled Appalachian Dancers.
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A final check was being done on this refreshment stall where
there were drinks and even more cakes on display to tempt the
visitors.
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Stall holders took their places under gazebos and behind tables
from organisations as diverse as the Frailloop metal worker in
the Craft Fair and the Rangers section of the Scouting and Guiding
movement to the Local History Society and the national MacMillan
Cancer Care fund raisers.
Speeches and opening remarks had been written and delivered and
shortly after one o'clock the festival was officially opened
by Councillor Carol Hart.
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Following a short service blessings appropriate to each well
had been prepared and were delivered by Reverend Gill Turner-Callis
from St Wilfrid's Church.
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And then all the hard work that had gone on before was rewarded
when the crowds began to arrive to enjoy the efforts of those
unsung volunteers. Note too the clouds had got thinner and the
shadows showed the the sun was shining on the festival.
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The voluntary work may have gone unnoticed by many of the visitors
but even the well dressings that had drawn so may to West Hallam
were testament to the loving care that had gone in to making
these impressive displays. Derbyshire can be truly proud of its
traditions.
And it doesn't stop there - Saturday afternoon continued with
displays and performances by various groups, singers and dancers
and on Sunday there was a Brass Band Concert in the afternoon.
And I haven't even mentioned the Scarecrow Trail which runs all
the following week ....
.... but I will now so click here
for images from the Scarecrow Trail 2016.
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