X90 – Wells, Undated.
Wells – Undated
Guiseley wells showing the troughs of spring water.
J220 – Wells, 2004.
Wells – 2004
Guiseley Wells with floral displays which were part of the Guiseley in Bloom enterprise.
R376 – Wells, 2004.
Wells – 2004
View of the ancient wells after restoration by members of Aireborough Rotary Club including Jeff Brook, Ken Moore and other volunteers.
FBA236 – Wells, 2013.
Wells – 2013
Three images of the ancient Guiseley Wells, still flowing with clear water.
FBA237 – Wells, 2013.
Wells – 2013
As above.
FBA238 – Wells, 2013.
Wells – 2013
As above.
H213 – Wells, 2013.
Wells – 2013
“The sentiment on the slate inset into the seat (which was finally put in place in March 2013) was endorsed when I submitted it to a Project Guiseley meeting around May 2000.
It was carved on the slate by Mr J Kennedy, my next door neighbour, he also provided the slate which came from the Leeds School of Medicine Pathology Department where his wife taught Pathology. The central characters (zoomorphic Celtic / Saxon ) on the carving in the background were scaled from a fragment of one of the arms of the cross which was discovered in the north wall of St. Oswald’s Church when it was extended in 1908.
U292 – Wells, 2015.
Wells – 2015
Historic wells looking their best after restoration in 2000.
Photographer Phil Walker.
U293 – Wells, 2015.
Wells – 2015
As above.
W796 – Wells, 2022.
Wells – 2022
Guiseley Well Dressing, April 2022.
Guiseley wells were once the main source of water for the ancient settlement. The clear, pristine water springs from deep millstone grit part of Otley Chevin’s ice-age formation.
The wells are situated at the centre of trackways used by Bronze Age travellers, Romans, Anglo Saxons and Vikings, the tracks led west to the Pennines via Hawksworth and over the Chevin towards Nidderdale.
The wells are thought to have early religious significance with later links to Christianity.
Having survived for untold centuries by the late 1990s the wells were dilapidated, neglected, covered with weeds and litter and in danger from Leeds City Council turning them into a culvert. Rescue came in 1999, Guiseley Wells Society with Aireborough Rotary Club took ownership on behalf of the Freeholders and Residents of Guiseley. A Millennium Heritage Lottery Grant enabled the wells to be restored, Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum further enhanced the environment of the wells, paving was laid and herb planters, the produce for the use of local people, cared for by Incredible Edibles Aireborough. Guiseley in Bloom added flower planters.
This has all created a miniature park, a place for rest and contemplation or, a paddle on a hot summer’s day. The next chapter in the story of the wells came after the 2020 Pandemic lockdown, Leeds Civic Trust donated a bench which was designed by local artist Lucy Philips, this “Take A Seat” initiative was to mark the resilience, kindness and memories of the community during an unprecedented time in their lives.
These images are of the 1st Guiseley Well Dressing, organised by the “Yarns Well Spun” Project, Aireborough Civic Society and Friends of Guiseley Wells. A Blue Plaque was erected to remind people of the significance of this special corner of Guiseley.
Photographer Edwy Harling.
W798 – Wells, 2022.
Wells – 2022
Some of the crowd of people that came to witness the unveiling.
Photographer Edwy Harling.
Consolidated by Jack Brayshaw. 24 February 2022.
Last updated: 27 June 2023 – Photo ID: W796 & W798.
