St Wite's Well Annual Makeover
An annual makeover of this well loved local heritage feature was carried out by four Morcombelake villagers – despite a soggy January Saturday morning. Battling overgrown buddleia and carpet of croscosmia that does well in these parts, the Well can now be seen! The Well is one of many of hidden heritage gems in our local landscape.
It’s a spring issuing from the eastern side of Chardown Hill southwest of Ship Knap Farmhouse and was named the 'Saints Well' on the 1887 1st Edition OS map. This spring has been known as a Holy Well since at least the 17th century. Also known as St Candida’s Well, the water is considered to have curative properties for eye complaints. On nearby Stonebarrow Hill, the wild periwinkle flowers are called ‘St Candida’s eyes’. During lockdown I waded through fields of white ox eye daisy in full bloom on June 1st, which I later learnt is St Wite's Day and also Dorset Day.
St Wite is understood to have been a local woman who worked tirelessly for the local community. A local tradition suggests she lived as a hermit on the cliffs near a sacred well and offered a light to ships at sea. It is believed that she was killed defending the local people against a Viking raid. King Alfred is understood to have built a church in her honour at Whitchurch Canonicorum (now called the Church of Candida and Holy Cross) in the Marshwood Vale, which houses her remains. This became a major place of pilgrimage, along with St Wite’s Well near Morcombelake.
Owned by the Natural Trust, it is one of many of their archaeological and historical sites on the Golden Cap estate. Discover more of their sites, visit: www.heritagerecords.nationaltrust.org.uk and put Golden Cap estate in the search tab.
Ruth Worsley, local heritage and landscape enthusiast. More info ruthieworsley@gmail.com
Picture left to right, villagers Romy, Carol and Ronnie
