Daniel’s Well in Public Hands.
The signing of contracts, completes the acquisition of an 8.5-acre riverside beauty spot for community use.
The successful purchase of Daniel’s Well ensures the long-term preservation of the land for residents. And secures a vital piece of the town’s scenic river walk.
The well takes its name from a 9th-century monk who famously plunged into its freezing waters. The historic site stretches from Foxley Road along the River Avon towards the bank opposite St Aldhelm’s Mead. It once comprised part of Daniel’s Well Farm.
An alliance
Making it happen was an alliance of local groups, including:
- Malmesbury Town Council
- St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council
- Malmesbury League of Friends, and the Malmesbury River Valleys Trust
All with support from Malmesbury Civic Trust, united to fund and back the purchase. Town Cllr Steve D’Arcy led the negotiations.
Hayley Webb, Chair, Malmesbury League of Friends said:
‘Here at the Malmesbury League of Friends, we’re delighted to have assisted in buying, what we hope will become an area of the riverbank that is accessible to all. Something for the wellbeing of the community.’
Now Malmesbury Town Council has become the official new owner, the focus moves to development of the landscape.
Cllr D’Arcy said: ‘This is an exciting development for Malmesbury, and now, with the contracts signed, we can move straight on to the next stage. That’s one of restoring and preserving this wonderful asset for the community.’
Immediate plans include tree planting, riverbank repairs, and the restoration of a flood-damaged stone clapper bridge. In the longer term, the project will open up the area to everyone by making the trails accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Cllr Roger Budgen, Chair of St Paul Malmesbury Without PC, said: ‘The acquisition of this historic piece of land has the potential to bring increased benefits to the wider community. Not least of which is the safeguarding of the much-valued pedestrian route into town for residents from Common and Foxley Roads.’
Longer term, the plan is to establish a volunteer group to manage this piece of Malmesbury’s heritage.
Find out more about Daniel himself here: https://www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk/event/the-surprising-life-of-daniel-of-daniels-well-by-tony-mcaleavy/
