Soaking the Board

Friday 3rd May 2013 was a milestone for the Ashwell Well Dressing team - it was the day to start soaking the board.

The Bare Board

The frame, or board, has been constructed with raw planks of wood attached to a white painted mount.  Nails have been hammered into the planks.  These are important as the nails will hold the wet clay in place.  The board is large, heavy and dry and will have to be soaked for three days otherwise the wood will draw the moisture from the clay.

Our team pondered over where and how best to soak the board.  Ponds were considered.  Standing the board in a bath.  Drenching with a hose.... but, of course, the answer was on our doorstep:  Ashwell Springs.

Ashwell Springs in winter

This tranquil, freshwater oasis in the heart of the village is a source of the River Cam.  And what better place to soak the first Ashwell Well Dressing board.

The board being lowered into Ashwell Springs

The Design

The Ashwell Well Dressing project is progressing like a storm.

Our design has been finalised and everyone is delighted with the result.  Amanda and Peter worked on the design together and with simplicity and style it encompasses certain aspects of Ashwell that will be familiar to both residents and visitors.

The lifesize paper design.

As 2013 is the 60th anniversary of the Ashwell Music Festival, music features in the design both with a scale of notes and a musical instrument.

Our medieval parish church, St. Mary's, rises majestically to the right of the picture with its clock face and huge spire, topped with its weather vane.  The church is swathed with the meandering waters of Ashwell Springs -  a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the village.  

In the centre of the design is a leafy branch from an Ash tree.  Both the Ash tree and the Springs (or Well) combine to form the name of the village.

Finally, with a vivid splash of colour, are the hollyhocks which every year grace the streets and paths of Ashwell.