Function, beauty and the work ethic

J C Pennys' Hitler Kettle

Just over a week ago my kettle began developing a laize faire attitude to the task of boiling water. This means when the furore over the little fuhrer kettle that looks like a little Hitler, (J C Penny poster) has mostly struck me as how apt to function it is. The look-e-like-e boiling water with its boiling temper. 

My new kettle

Reminds me of all those dictators, divas, Z list celebs, minor royals and benefit cheats, all boiling over with contempt for others and a burning sense of undeserved entitlement.

Thing is I have been calling my kettle a lazy workshy hippy. All I want is a cup of tea, not to get through an airport quickly, steal someones table at a restaurant or invade Poland. Luckily for just £24 quid I have a nice new shiny kettle and, ( after boiling and discarding water twice as per safety instructions) I am now enjoying a lovely cuppa.

Well dressed, Malvern Hills, Worcester

St James' Church

More of the wells from Malvern Hills Well Dressing annual festival, (see yesterdays entry for more details). St James' Church well was dressed by Sara Bennett and Brian Graham.

West Malvern Tap

West Malvern Tap was decorated in various princess fairy tale themes, including Rapunzel. This well was the work of West Malvern Garden and Nature Club.

Haysald

Hayslad well as dressed by Dan and Karen Smith is going to be the site of one of the well blessings. The blessing ceremony there will be conducted on Monday at 3pm by members of local Druid groups and anyone is welcome to join them.

Royal Well

Royal well was dressed by Carol, Wayne and Pippa Seaton.

Evendine Spring

Evendine spring was decorated by Aquartet taking their inspiration from the tradition of Faeries, Dryads and Naiads in folklore.

Lower Wyche Trough

At Lower Wyche Well the Himalayan story of Saraswati and was dressed by Caroline Harris and Jean Williams.

Whilst the Lower Wyche spout, dressed by Debbie and Jess Sly tells John Ruskin's tale of The King of the Golden River.

Malvhina

Malvhina Well was dressed by Jan Bowden and will be the site of the local Buddhists water blessing ceremony on Monday at 11am, and all are welcome to attend.

Temperance Fountain

The Temperance Fountain well was dressed by the St Joseph's Swans and Cygnets Pre-School, and they had written a tales about a princess and a swan and her cygnets, which was very sweet.

Stocks drinking Fountain

The Stocks drinking Fountain Well, situated just below the local stocks, was dressed by the 7th Malvern Girls Brigade, as The Three Billy Goats Gruff and came complete with bridge, goats and a troll with oranges for eyes.

Clock Tower

The clocktower well was dressed by Ian Woodcock and Susan Hale and consisted of a decorated tree and willow gazebo frame, and a rather stunning green man over the tower entrance.

Tank Quarry

Rapunzel was the theme again, at the North Malvern Tap at Tank Quarry, which was dressed by 1st Malvern Link Rainbows and Brownies.

My favourite wells would be, in first place the Temperance Fountain Well by St Josephs Pre-school, in second place would be Bilbo Baggins home by Sheila Maund, as shown yesterday. Equal third would be the Girls Brigade Billy Goats and the Jack and the Beanstalk well by Malvern Wells school.

Malvern Hills area, Well dressing and May day celebrations, Worcestershire.

Elgar statue explaining this years theme

 The Malvern Well Dressing Festival takes place annually on the first weekend in May, and so is on now. It is the biggest event of it's type nationally and guided tours and various water-blessing ceremonies are part of the weekend.

Jack and the Beanstalk

This years theme as advertised by Edward Elgar's statue, is "Once upon a time..." Over forty different wells will be decorated around the Malvern Hills. Some are decorated by groups such as WI, the Brownies and schools, whilst others are the work of individuals and families. 

These are just those I happen to have passed today whilst out and about. The Jack and the Beanstalk well, is at the Jubilee Fountain on Grundys Lane and is the work of the Friends of Malvern Wells Primary School.

Princess and the frog

The Princess and the Frog well is the Willow Spring and was decorated by Helen Reeves.

Hobbit/Lord of the rings

The Hobbit/ Lord of the Rings inspired well showing Bag End, home of Bilbo Baggins, was the work of Sheila Maund, whilst the fairy tale well is the Hayslad well, dressed by Dan and Karen Smith.

Which is your favourite ?

And if you are in Malvern this weekend a Mayday Toga Celebration and other Mayday based activities will be taking place tomorrow, Saturday 4th May, from 11am at St Ann's well above Great Malvern.

Fairy tales inspired entry

British Camp reservoir, Malvern Hills, Worcester,

Deep thoughts

I like to sit and think,

Besides a lake or pool.

Is it the language used,

That makes it seem so true.

To reflect on life where water,

Holds a mirror to our mind.

To see the light there,

Where sun skips on the surface.

To dive our deepest depths,

Where dark weeds drag and drown.

To let our mind view ,

Great vista's and vast horizons.

And finally focus on 

That one distilled answer.

A reflective poem, wirtten beside the reservoir at British Camp, by Izzy.B.Silver