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St Anne's Well Walk

On 26th July 2009 BCAP members joined with members of the public to revive the ancient custom of visiting the ancient holy well of St Anne on St Anne's day.

Ten people met at the Kings Arms (1 Hollywood Road, Brislington) which is opposite Kenneth Road, where the medieval pilgrims are reputed to have camped prior to walking to the chapel of St Anne in the Wood.

Leaving the pub at 2:15pm the group followed as closely as possible the course of Brislington Brook, which led to the so-called Pilgrim's Path through picturesque Nightingale Valley, and arrived at the holy well in St Anne's Wood around 3pm, where several other people awaited the arrival of the group (some had arrived without knowing of BCAP's expedition).

It was noted that colourful ribbons were appearing in increasing numbers on the sycamore tree overhanging the well, and some feathers had also been tied to the branches. Some stones were found in the water that had once been ringed around the wall of the well. One of these showed traces of mortar where one of the pillars had stood, supporting the cupola roof (see photo below, the yellow circular mark on the stone's left edge).

There was general agreement that a similar event should be staged next year.

For more information about this site, visit the St Anne in the Wood project.



Credits
1st photo — scene at St Anne's Well (© Ken Taylor 2009).
2nd photo — stone removed from the well (© Ken Taylor 2009).
Text — Ken Taylor (updated 25.07.10)