Looking After Our Wells

By Val Shepherd from Northern Earth 68

In August, three of us set out to inspect two wells in the Bradford area. The first was Peggy Well (SE 0655 4413), Riddlesden, whose condition was not as good as when I first saw it when researching my book. It is a natural spring which comes from under large rocks. Unfortunately, the water is covered with thick algae, a sign of over-rich nutrient run off from the fields above, & the old sheep dip has had an unsightly noisy pump placed next to it. The well is probably used for watering stock.

We did not linger there but went on to Rivock Well (SE 0776 4486), which is in a quite different setting. It is also a natural spring, but it flows unseen into a still pond by the side of a track which goes through a large coniferous plantation on Ilkley Moor, a secluded and attractive place. We were delighted to see three different dragonfly species there.

On another occasion, we went to Kirkby Overblow. We found Bird Well (SE 3228 4920) completely dry and neglected and felt it wasn't worth any attention, but St Helen's Well (SE 3238 4920) nearer the village was looked after. It is totally enclosed in a stone recess, with running water, and it demanded a quiet meditation with the saint/goddess. Snape Well (SE 3070 4984) was hardly discernible under a great fallen willow, just as Edna Whelan describes it in her Yorkshire Holy Wells.

We also visited St Helen's Well (SD 9308 5701) at Eshton near Gargrave, with the purpose of cleaning it out. It was a cool, dull day, but just right for the job. The spring bubbles up into a shallow, sandy pool and flows over a stone kerb in which are embedded three stone heads, the faces of which cannot be seen but only felt under the water. The site is surrounded by trees and a wall by the road. We brought wellies, sieve, trowels, etc. and worked away happily removing excess algae; the water became very clear after that.

Someone had left candles in the recesses at the top of the heads. We lit them while we meditated and left them for the next pilgrims. We left the site after arranging the watercress floating there into a heart shape as our offering.

More visits will be arranged, ideally with more people. Anyone interested or to suggest wells which need cleaning out, or just to visit, please contact me.

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