We celebrated the acquisition of our 13th historic site, St Cleer’s Well, last Friday by reviving the annual tradition of dressing the monument.
In spite of the rain, the event had a truly joyous atmosphere. The artwork created by the children from St Cleer Primary School for the event was wonderful, as was the vibrant array of posies they laid at the well as part of the ceremony. After the blessing, readings in Cornish and English and a rousing (if a little damp) rendition of Trelawney, the morning was rounded off with Cornish dancing back at the school – the perfect, raucous end to the festivities!
We’re so proud to now be looking after St Cleer’s Well and are very grateful for the support of local people throughout the process.
This medieval holy well and wayside cross is a Scheduled Monument and also Listed Grade One – a demarcation earned by only 2.5% of listed buildings, which Historic England defines as warranting “exceptional interest”.
Thought to date from the 15th century, it is the only example of a well house with an open porch-like design in Cornwall. Its pillars, arches and capitals are carved with simple mouldings and patterns which are also unusual in Cornwall at this date.
During the medieval period, holy wells sometimes functioned as sites for baptism but they were also revered for less tangible reasons, such as folklore beliefs in the healing powers of the water. According to Historic England, St Cleer’s had the reputation for “curing the lame, the blind and the insane”.
Thank you to St Cleer Primary School; Brian Oldham and Liskeard Old Cornwall Society; Kevin Johnson and St Cleer Parish Council; Rod Sheaff and Reverend Li Selman; and Merv and Alison Davey for helping make this event such a success.
The acquisition of the Well, the essential maintenance which has taken place over the last few months and the well dressing have all been made possible by funding from Historic England. We are hugely grateful for its unwavering support, and special thanks go to Ann Preston-Jones for her time, expertise and dedication to making this project happen.
