A Suffolk village has revived the ancient pagan tradition for its May Day celebrations.

Wetherden, between Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds, included the old practice of “Dressing the Well” in its May Day Fayre.

Natural materials, flowers and living plants are set in a base of clay and used to decorate the well, a practice thought to be a pagan tradition to give thanks to fresh water springs originally in Derbyshire.

East Anglian Daily Times:

East Anglian Daily Times:

Valmay Young from Wetherden Town Lands said: “There was a real buzz of activity in Wetherden. It was a real community effort and the finished result looks awesome!

“The whole event was very well attended and the pub was packed for the unveiling ceremony.”

The well inside The Maypole village pub was decorated by a team of volunteers over the week, using materials donated by people in the village.

East Anglian Daily Times:

East Anglian Daily Times:

A competition for the design of the well dressing was won earlier this year by Wetherden Church Flower Group.

The well dressing was unveiled by Tarby Davenport MBE at the May Day celebrations on Monday.

The Haughley Hoofers Morris dancers also performed at the event.