WELL BLESSING AND PROCESSION - Leamington Spa June 2007

Holy Wells Procession in Leamington Spa

On Sunday 17th June, a Peace Festival fringe event in the shape of a Holy Wells Procession took place in Leamington Spa. Organised by Pagan Priestess Tiziana Stupia, the event featured contributions from various local artists, poets, storytellers and musicians, as well as the appearance of a mysterious Water Goddess on the River Leam. Focal point of the procession was a lengthy ‘River of Wool’, made from many individual blue squares, knitted by people all across Warwickshire as part of the ‘Knit a River for Water Aid’ initiative.

The procession, a multi-faith celebration of water, spirituality and the summer solstice, began at the Pump Rooms Well with a drumming and didgeridoo session by various musicians, and an introductory speech by organiser Tiziana Stupia. The blue ‘River of Wool’ was unrolled and carried by everyone involved in the procession through Jephson Gardens and the town for the following two hours.

Performers included American poet Clay Lowe, who enchanted attendees with poetry about water at the Polish fountain, and Leamington’s samba band The Sambassadors of Groove, who drummed out powerful rhythms and a dance in honour of the Water Goddess. By the river, storyteller and Druid Daru McAleece narrated the myth of the mysterious Leamington Spa Water Goddess for the first time, and the Songlines choir captivated everyone with their evocative songs about rivers and water. On Mill Bridge, many were surprised and delighted to catch a glimpse of a veiled Water Goddess, floating down the river in a boat with an elfin consort. The Goddess was showered with offerings of flower petals and in turn waved benevolently at the crowd, before disappearing again into the waters. Further contributions of storytelling and poetry followed courtesy of Methodist minister Pauline Warner at the well monument outside All Saint’s Church, and Sheilagh Holmes outside Robbin’s Well. The procession concluded with a closing blessing, flower offerings, and a joint song at the Pump Rooms Well.

(To see photos of the performances click the blog entry top right)