CHILDREN from Bisley Blue Coat Church Primary School had a special guest when they dressed their village wells with flowers on Thursday, to celebrate Ascension Day.

Joining them to bless the historic water source was the Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Rev Rachel Treweek.

Bishop Rachel took part in the tradition started in the village in 1863 by the Rev Thomas Keble, Bisley’s vicar for almost 50 years, to give thanks for the village’s clean water.

Since then the school has continued to hold the Ascension Day celebration with the help of parents and grandparents, who create the striking floral arrangements carried by the children.

The well dressing event began with a church service, after which a procession, headed by members of the clergy, a cross bearer and Avening Silver Band, led youngsters through the streets to the ancient water head in Wells Road.

Residents and members of the public were welcome into the Bisley WI Village Hall for afternoon tea at the end of the celebration.

There was a display of past wells dressing ceremonies in All Saints’ Church.

All photos by Simon Pizzey