A Peak District village is celebrating the remarkable history of a church that began life as a blacksmith’s workshop by making it the centrepiece of its annual well dressing.

Visitors are invited to Foolow between Saturday 29 August-6 September 2026 to see the village’s annual well dressing, enjoy homemade cakes and refreshments, explore the village’s history and help raise funds to preserve the historic St Hugh’s Church.

Originally converted from a blacksmith’s workshop in 1888, St Hugh’s Church has served the village for more than 130 years and remains one of Foolow’s most cherished landmarks.

Funds raised this year will help make the connection between the church porch and main building watertight, following the successful restoration of the church windows earlier this year.  Donations will also support the Foolow Village Hall, Samaritans and Water Aid.

A collection of poems written by a Foolow mother, while her son was serving in Iraq, is being launched at the well dressing.  It includes a poem published in The Spectator in 2008 and a new poem that commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Avro Shackleton crash in Foolow in 1956.  A booklet about the history of St Hugh’s Church, homemade cakes and refreshments will also be available.

Created using clay, petals and seeds, the well dressing is a true community effort, with residents coming together over several weeks to complete the design.  The village hall cafe is managed by volunteers, who have selected the other charities that are being supported this year.

The well dressing will be on display from Saturday 29 August-6 September 2026, with refreshments, the poetry collection and church history booklet available in the Foolow Village Hall (11.00-16.00). Further information about the fundraising campaign and other opportunities to support St Hugh’s are available on the charity’s website: https://www.thefriendsofsthughsfoolow.org/.

Toni Wilbourne, a Trustee of The Friends of St Hugh’s Foolow said:

“St Hugh’s may be a small church, but it has a remarkable history. From its origins as a blacksmith’s workshop to its place at the heart of village life today, it is a building worth protecting.

“The well dressing gives us a wonderful opportunity to share that story with visitors while raising the funds needed to preserve the church for future generations. We’re looking forward to welcoming people to Foolow and celebrating the history, creativity and community spirit that make our village so special.”