THE SPIRIT of a medieval saint will be evoked in a new community ritual for Dartmoor, which aims to reconnect people with water and the land.

St Gudula’s Well in Ashburton, an ancient holy well, will be the focus of the ceremony to honour water as the source of all life, and celebrate the start of summer.

‘Gudula’s Gathering’ has been conceived by events curator and writer Kirsteen McNish, and Helen Bruce of the Dartmoor Preservation Association, as the closing event for the Dartmoor Tors Festival.

It will incorporate a community procession and a well dressing, and a parade led by St Gudula, ancient patroness of the well and the three River Spirits – Avon, Dart and Teign.

The event is free and people will be encouraged to adorn themselves with greenery and flowers and bring posies to offer to the well.

The idea came about because festival organisers, Alex Murdin and Sophie Pierce, wanted to create a new community event which drew on ancient and local places and customs.

Alex said: ‘Gudula’s Well has been known for centuries as a place for healing, particularly of the eyes.

‘There is also an ancient cross standing by it. That was our starting point, and then we thought about well dressing, which is a traditional May custom in England, and the idea of ‘bringing in the May’ – celebrating the start of summer.’

Kirsteen McNish, the co-curator of the event, said: ‘St Gudula’s Well is a quiet place of care, reflection and pilgrimage.

‘We hope that by breathing life back into the ghost of St Gudula, and summoning up the spirits of the Rivers Avon, Dart and Teign, we can celebrate the connection between people and place and encourage protection of rivers in both Dartmoor and indeed everywhere.’

The procession will be led by St Gudula, who is being ‘embodied’ by Helen Bruce.

St Gudula is said to be the patron saint of the blind, and traditionally carries a lantern, bringing light to the darkness.

Helen said: ‘There is a wonderful symbolism in St Gudula; she represents ideas of clear sight and healing; ideas that we very much need in these difficult and uncertain times.

‘The idea of light also feeds into the sun returning after the long months of winter, and nature coming back to life; ideas that are a key part of the old Mayday celebrations.’

The new community ritual will be the closing event at the Dartmoor Tors Festival, whose lead partner is the Dartmoor Preservation Association, which has been working to keep Dartmoor wild and free for over a century.

Music for the procession has been specially created by musician and renowned composer Mike McInerney.

The ceremony will take place on Sunday May 3 at 4pm outside Ashburton Arts Centre.

From there, participants will walk in a procession to St Gudula’s Well via the back alleyways of the town. Once at the well, there will be a ceremony followed by the dressing of the well with flowers.

After, the procession will return, to the sound of music and drums, back to the Arts Centre, celebrating joy at the start of summer.

Tickets are free and everyone is welcome. Book here: https://dartmoortorsfestival.co.uk/gudulas-gathering/