THE SUN shone, the villagers thronged and the band played on as Bisley celebrated Ascension Day with the Dressing of the Well.

Blue Coat School children led last Thursday's service at All Saints Church to commemorate Christ's ascension on the 40th day after Easter, before processing down Wells Road behind the Avening brass band playing Onward Christian Soldiers.

More than 200 people gathered to watch 24 year four, five and six children, led by oldest boy Rowan Rees and girl Hannah Gardiner in traditional uniforms, lay garlands of flowers against the walls of the well to spell AD 2003 Ascension.

Parent helper Diana Chapman said: "It was wonderful. The weather helped. The church was full which was brilliant. It is the first time I have seen it like that for while. Considering it was half-term it went very well."

Leading a second service from a ledge of the well, Rev Ian Farrow addressed the assembled crowds on the theme of water.

He said: "Water is essential to life. Without it we would very quickly die and we are very blessed in this country to have clean, fresh, running water. We don't have to come to the wells or walk miles back to get water. We give thanks to God for that blessing."

Closing the service and bringing the formal Ascension Day celebrations to an end, hundreds of voices rose up to send the strains of hymn Hail The Day That Sees Him Rise echoing through the quiet village streets.

Speaking afterwards Rev Farrow noted the participation of parents and children despite it being their holidays.

"It is a very important ceremony. This is their half term but they've all come back for it because they love it and it is especially important to the villagers. They would be up in arms if it was missed," he said.

Originally an ancient pagan event, the dressing of Bisley's well was long ago co-opted into Christian Ascension celebrations.

A former Bisley vicar, Thomas Keble restored the well in 1853. An inscription carved above its five water outlets reads: "Ye Wells Bless Ye The Lord, Praise Him and Magnify Him Forever."

For Stroud resident John Millin, 66, who was born in the village's Hampstead buildings and attended Blue Coat School, the afternoon was redolent of times gone by.

He said: "Oh, it was brilliant. It's been going for as long as I can remember and it brought back memories. I'm glad we came."