a well dressed Well Dressing

Well dressing was first established in Belper in 1838, when the Mill Lane Well was dressed The custom lapsed for The Second World War, but was revived in 1986.

This well dressing is of Belper Joe.

Belper Joe is a famous character from the town in which I work. Born sometime in the late nineteenth century, Joe probably struggled with learning difficulties and stories tell of others taking advantage of his limitations.

George Benson Strutt however had a soft spot for Joe and in giving him old clothes added to his strange appearance. He found him some employment in the mill and around town. Joe unfortunately died in the workhouse.

In the background is East Mill, which was not in fact a Strutt property but was built by the English Sewing Company in 1912, a seven storey red brick building of 1912, where surprisingly the bricks were laid from the inside and built without scaffolding.