Author Archives: Catherine Banks

Before you visit the dressed wells, it’s probably a good idea to work out where they are, which ones you want to see (there are currently 56 on the list!!), and how you’re going to get there. Maps of the … Read More

Merry May Day! May Day is almost upon us: that means well-dressings, blessings, music, dance and much revelry! Kings and Queens as the Theme This year, the chosen theme is Kings and Queens. MSA well-dressing organiser Rick Banbury said, “The … Read More

This is a full list of events happening during this year’s festival. Please note that some of the events / times below may change at short notice especially if subject to weather, so do check beforehand. Friday 28th April – … Read More

It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved chairman Dr John Harcup OBE. Our thoughts are with his family. He died in the early hours of the 9th February 2023, at home, peacefully in his … Read More

At this time of year, for All Souls, the MSA dresses a spring or well in remembrance of lost loved-ones. As last year, the ceremony is based at the North Malvern Clock Tower. The dressing is simple yet poignant. Visitors … Read More

What a wonderful weekend of Well-dressing! We hope you enjoyed visiting all the wells and spouts that were dressed this weekend. With a theme of “Literature” there were some wonderful recreations of favourite books. Narnia was a firm favourite with … Read More

The standard of entries for 2022 was very high. The Chairman’s cup plus a gold medal went to Thomas Gardiner’s descendants (Gardiner’s Common Spring). The Lionel Shorestone Award went to St Matthias’ primary school (Lord Sandys Spout) again, plus a … Read More

In Victorian times Malvern became famous as a spa and many people came here for a “Water Cure”. This involved being wrapped in sheets and blankets to sweat and then doused with cold war. A demonstration of the cure was … Read More

Many people in the Malvern area go to some trouble to collect spring water for using at home, but what is special about the water? It is not a secret that the local springs actually show quite a variation in … Read More

The MSA’s first patron was Lord Sandys (otherwise known as Richard Michael Oliver Hill, the seventh Baron Sandys of Ombersley). At a national level, for several years he took an active role in the House of Lords, and between 1979 … Read More