THE Holy Well at Shobrooke will soon will soon to have a decorative grille fitted to allow passers-by to see inside this remarkable ancient structure.

Funds were raised at last year's Harvest Festival at Shobrooke's St. Swithun's Church to pay for the grille to be designed and made by local blacksmith, Paul Gilbert.

The "door in the bank", which is showing its age, can then be left ajar to extend its life. The grille is in a Celtic style with a holy cross and to add to its interest for children, four tiny creatures are to be spied: a butterfly, snail, bee, and a bird in a nest to remind us of St. Swithun's miracle of making whole a poor elderly woman's eggs that had been broken on her way to market.

The age of the well is unknown but it is thought to be the oldest structure in the Parish, far older than the church. It is believed that at one time baptisms took place here as there are two stone steps inside leading down into the water.

The first records of the well are for "makinge clene" in 1576. During the 1800's it was lost for many years. In 1890 a new Rector, Worthington Jukes, found mention of its cleaning in church accounts.

On talking to the oldest man in the village, John Tucker, he said he remembered seeing it in Church Lane when he was a boy and that water from the well had always been fetched for baptisms in the church, but it had since been forgotten.

On digging for the well there was no sign of it, but the Rector's curious little dog suddenly vanished - having fallen into the well - then soon reappeared!

The well, which had filled up with soil, had been lost to sight. It was cleaned out and a round well found, 4ft deep and 5ft across. The domed roof, which was in disrepair, was rebuilt in 1925.

It is now a Grade 2 Listed Building and is still used for religious services and contemplation.

On Sunday, January 31 at 11.30am there will be a blessing of the Holy Well to celebrate Candlemas and the installation of the new grille, led by The Rev Nigel Guthrie.

There will be a short Communion Service at St. Swithun's Church, before this, starting at 11am and light refreshments will be served afterwards in the church.

The Holy Well is a short walk up Church Lane, opposite the lych-gate of the Church. All are welcome to attend.