Description: This image shows the detail of the well that depicts the 'News of the plague' and also reads 'He stood between the living and the dead and the plague was stayed'. Well dressing is thought to have originated from Pagan times, a ritual performed to give thanks for the supply of fresh water. Another school of thought claims that the Romans introduced the custom into Britain, the philosopher Seneca ' where springs or rivers flow we should build altars or make sacrifices.' Another suggestion connects the celebration with various outbreaks of plague, certainly the wells at Eyam were used during the plague outbreak of the 1600's. A mosaic picture, built up from natural materials, flower petals, seeds, grasses, leaves, tree bark, berries and moss is pressed into a 1 inch base of puddled clay, which is held within a wooden frame. The shape of the frames is almost as varied as the choice of theme. Some frames are sectional or recessed and have additions made over the years, the size is roughly 4 to 5 feet wide and 5 to 6 feet high, pinnacles and embellishments can add to this height. Some well committees abide strictly to the rules of natural materials whereas others are more flexible in their approach to 'natural materials.' The themes for the well dressings were more usually of a religious nature, but recently, more modern themes have been adopted. The designs usually last for a week or less before the flowers have died off. There are three well-dressings at Eyam, one of which is actually of a horse-trough.