Try this one for size, then. - Page 2

Atarah · 12-05-2004, 08:33

Hi Bob, Mary Hoyle Well was the common name by which the well was known locally, but has also been referred to as May Road Well, Mare Hole Well, Meare Head Well and St Mary's Holy Well. During the middle of the 19th centurey, a fair was held the first Sunday in May. Hundreds of people (mainly of the working classes) from Accrington, Padiham, Haslingden, Burnley and other local places came to the well on the slopes of Hambledon. (The local Sunday Schools must have been totally empty on this day!) They came simply from long custom and were out to enjoy themselves. Some gambled (maybe some of you have been to (Gamblers caves") - some played sports. There was eating and drinking, singing, dancing and rough "horse-play". A drink from the well was considered essential to many people, but it does not appear that there were any "medicinal properties" in the water! Shame! We could have been exporting bottled "Accrington Water"! The well was closed and water diverted because of damage done to neighbouring farmers' fences and property by these May Day revellers. Stones were knocked off walls, by people climbing over them. At first a large flag, just enough to cover it, was placed over the well, but this kept being removed by people visiting the well. Later a larger stone was placed there that was too heavy to move. Would you say this is the one in the photo? The water diverted found its way to the reservoir by way of the overflow.

Weary Tourist · 12-05-2004, 09:45

Well Hoyle Beef Hooked

What a lot of name variations for one location. It looks less like a well, and more like a spring. I wonder if there was any tradition to dress it ?

Acrylic-bob · 13-05-2004, 15:37

No, I don't think so. I rather fancy that it was yet another example of Victorian make-believe

Tealeaf · 13-05-2004, 16:22

Those Victorians have alot to answer for in their cosy, romantic reinvention of history....but there's got to be some reason as to why hundreds, if not thousands of people, would head off miles into the hills every May Day sunday for the equivalent ay of one of todays "Raves"...........I must admit, I'd never heard of any of this until you put this piccy on here.