Tissington

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Description of Tissington & St Mary's Church

The picturesque village of Tissington is situated in one of the most beautiful areas of Derbyshire. It lies above the Dove Valley, about 4 miles to the north of Ashbourne. The village is approached from one direction by a half mile avenue of lime trees and from another through a ford.

Tissington Hall, a fine mansion dating from around 1610 has been the seat for many generations of the FitzHerbert family. Sir William FitzHerbert attained baronetcy in 1783. The present owner of the Hall is Sir Richard FitzHerbert. The Hall and gardens are open to the public on advertised days and also to groups by prior arrangement. Tissington is very proud of its long tradition of Well Dressing, an ancient custom which takes place each year on Ascension Day.

The Derbyshire custom of well dressing is said to have started in Tissington, when five fresh spring wells which are situated around the village are blessed during a special service. This is a thanksgiving for the pure and ever flowing water supply from the fresh springs.

The well dressings consist of the erection of boards over the wells in the form of arches with a panel behind, perhaps 7 or 8 feet high. These boards are coated with moist clay, into which are inserted flower petals, mosses, seeds and bark from trees, in a mosaic fashion, making pictures mainly of biblical texts, along with some of conventional designs. Early on Ascension Day, the boards which have been decorated by the people of the village, are erected over the wells which remain dressed for a week.

HAND'S WELL Named after the family who for several generations lived in the farmhouse behind the well. They decorated the well for many years.

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