Historic wells were 'Facebook of their day'

St Mary's Well is one of the ancient structures the Clitheroe Town Wells Conservation Campaign wants to preserve

Campaigners who are trying to secure the future of three ancient wells in Lancashire said they have been woefully neglected over recent years.

Clitheroe Town Wells Conservation Campaign (CTWCC), which look after the three former public wells in the town, is calling on Ribble Valley Council to adopt the historical sites so they can be preserved and celebrated.

Steve Ragnall, chair of CTWCC, said the Anglo-Saxon wells were "the Facebook" of their day, a meeting place where people would "gossip and share news".

"Just a couple of hundred years ago these wells would have been a real connecting point for people," he said.

The wells could bring in tourists, the campaign says

Mr Ragnall said Stock Well, Heild Well, and St Mary's Well were more historically important to the town than Clitheroe Castle because they were the prime reason for the town's existence.

"These sites are on the top of what were ancient springs and it's because of these springs that people were able to settle here," he said.

The group said it wanted to secure a "lasting and meaningful" future for the ancient wells which could help enhance the look of the town and bring in tourists.

Mr Ragnall told BBC Radio Lancashire: "If you look at Tosington in Derbyshire they have an annual well dressing festival and they get thousands of people in to attend these festivals."

Ribble Valley Council already adopted Stock Well as it is on council property

Mr Ragnall said no title to two of the wells exists, which means CTWCC is unable to apply for funds to conserve and protect the structures.

The campaign wants Ribble Valley Council to seek possessory title in order that their future can be protected, he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A Ribble Valley Council spokesman said the council adopted Stock Well as it is on council land at Clitheroe Castle.

"A full assessment in 2022 established that there was no evidence of council ownership or responsibility for the other two wells," the spokesman said.

"Nevertheless as the wells are listed structures in a conservation area, we will continue to work with the community where possible and appropriate to ensure their future."