The Guardian
·Aug 2026
Country diary: With parched fields all around, we say thank you for the water
In drought-stricken Stoney Middleton, Derbyshire, the longstanding tradition of well dressing has taken on renewed significance as villagers give thanks for their water supply. This year’s elaborate display features a barn owl, while a children’s dressing celebrates David Attenborough’s 100th birthday with animal images. The event reflects the community’s religious, artistic and conservation traditions amid increasingly parched countryside.