OVER 30 ancient water-sites around the hills will be decorated next Friday (May 1) in this year's Malvern Well Dressing Festival.
The theme for this year's festival, organised by Malvern Spa Association, is Darwin's Earth, to mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth.
"The theme gives us an opportunity of celebrating the great diversity of plant and animal life on our planet, as well as the usual expression of gratitude for clean water," said Lionel Butcher of the Association.
Judges will tour the wells on Friday, and prizes will be presented at 1pm the following day.
The dressings will remain in place until Tuesday evening. There are minibus tours on Monday, costing £5. Tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre in Church Street.
On Saturday at 11am there will be an interfaith ceremony at St Ann's Well conducted by Rev Jane Coulthard.
On Sunday an interfaith pilgrimage led by Rev Kevin Devaney will tour seven dressed sites by car and foot, starting outside Malvern theatres at 10.30am and at 2.30pm, the Bishop of Dudley, David Walker, will bless the water at Holy Well before moving to the clock tower at 3.30pm.
On Monday there will be a blessing ceremony by Druids at Hay Slad at 3pm and Rev John Barr will bless the water at Malvhina at 4.30pm.
On Tuesday Rev David Nichol will be at St James Churchyard, West Malvern Tap and Westminster Bank starting at 10am; then Rev Steve Martin will perform ceremonies at Lower Wyche at 11.30am and Jubilee Spout at noon.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here