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THIS year's well-dressing competition has the most entries this year since its foundation in 2000, with 34 wells around the hills and the town decorated by dedicated enthusiasts.

The competition was judged by members of Malvern Spa Association, and the results were announced during Malvern Fringe's May Day event on Saturday at Priory Park.

Dr John Harcup, chairman of the association, said he had been bowled over by the imagination and ingenuity shown by the dressers.

"One thing that caught my eye was that quite a lot of the wells included original poems among the decorations. That was interesting, I thought," he said.

Winners of the gold award: Hannah Lillis, April and Rosemary Upton and Eleanor Harrison (Lower Wyche Trough); Malvern Parish CE School (Railway Station Trough); West Malvern Garden and Nature Club (West Malvern Tap).

Silver awards went to: Helen Burrage (Evendine Spring); Malvern Natural Health Centre (Malvhina); Malvern Youth Centre (Rose Gully); Carl and Sylvia Burrows (Temperance Fountain).

And taking bronze awards were: Barbara Meddows (Earl Beauchamp's Spout); Fran Doidge (Enigma Fountain); AONB office (Lord Sandys's Spout); Phil Ironside and Gerri Epke (St Ann's Well); Malvern St James School (Westminster Bank).

The chairman's award, chosen specially by Dr Harcup, went to the Hayslad Spring, off West Malvern Road, decorated by Pat Simons. assisted by Mary Wells, Isabel Quilley and Mary Alley of Holly Mount Church.

"It's a difficult well to dress successfully, and I thought they did very well, especially that burst of colour at the top," he said. He also mentioned West Malvern Tap and Lord Sandy's Spout as other personal favourites.

Minibus tours around the decorated wells were also a success, attracting both local people and visitors to the area.

11:32am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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