MALVERN’S creative spirits were undeterred by the prospect of wet weather, turning out to decorate wells, springs and spouts around the hills at the weekend.

Forty historic watery sites were decorated in this year’s well-dressing festival, making it the largest in the country.

The theme this year was achievement, and the well-dressers brought plenty of imagination to bear, creating a wide variety of colourful tableaux, celebrating a wide variety of accomplishments.

Lionel Shorstone, of Malvern Spa Association, said: “Several honoured the Queen for achieving Britain’s second Diamond Jubilee or Britain for hosting the Olympic Games.

“RMS Titanic appeared at a number of sites – the Irishmen who built her were very proud of what they had achieved – while Scott [of the Antarctic] could be seen trudging along with his sledge on his doomed return from the South Pole.

“The achievements of ordinary people, including ourselves, were not forgotten.

“At one site you were invited to think of your own proudest achievement, while schoolchildren of all ages reviewed what they had done.”

Once again, minibus tours of the decorated sites were held and on Sunday the donkey procession organised by the Reverend Val Needham, featuring the May King and Queen and children dressed in colourful spring costumes, visited many of the sites, ending with St Ann’s Well.

Ms Needham said: “I am doing this for the community. This is my gift.”

Results GOLD Barnard’s Green Trough by Team Trough, Coach House Theatre Pump by Girlguiding Malvern, Danzell Spring by Harriet Harnden, Earl Beauchamp’s Spout by Barbara Meddows, Evendine Spring by the Evendiners, Holy Well by The Three Generations, Jubilee Fountain by the Darlingtons and Clares, Lord Sandys’ Spout by St Matthias Primary School, Lyttelton Well by Brighter Futures Nursery and Sunshine Children’s Centre, Rose Gully by Holly Mount United Reformed Church and West Malvern Tap by West Malvern Garden and Nature Club.

SILVER Hayslad by 7th Malvern Girls Brigade, Temperance Drinking Fountain by Carl Burrows, Weaver’s Trough by Helena and Mark Illingworth, Westminster Bank Spring by Malvern St James prep department.

BRONZE Lower Wyche Trough by Caroline Harris, Carol Wheeler and Jean Williams, Malvhina by Chaos Group, North Malvern Tap by 1st Malvern Link Rainbows & Brownies, Railway Station Trough by Malvern Parish CE Primary School, Stocks Drinking Fountain by Zoe Warren, Wilson’s Fountain by Malvern Dowsers, Wyche Spring by Sheila and Tara Maund.

CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY Davenham House by Inner Wheel Club of Malvern.