Before we all get too cynical it might be worth comparing the conduct of
people here with the reported conduct of Bernadette Soubirous (sp ?) and her
companions in the early days at Lourdes.
It is certainly interesting anthropologically.
By the way, among all the "experts" being consulted, have they called in an
archaeologist ?
English Heritage might well have something to say in addition to all the
rest.
Brenda M. Cook.
----- Original Message -----
From: Dr G.R. Jones <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2000 12:56 PM
Subject: Comparative studies
> It strikes me that the following exchange from the Wells-and-Spas List has
> potential for those of us interested in how stories of the miraculous
develop.
> At one level the original material is ludicrous (the opening comment from
a
> list member is typical of a number of postings); at another it's quite
> revealing.
>
[snip]
> > On Wed, 26 Jul 2000 16:16:13 +0100 (BST) NSAD Student
> > <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > > I was recently given a cutting from the Eastern Daily Press of
Wednesday
> > > 21 June, about this healing well at Walsingham, and it makes
fascinating
> > > reading:
> > > "Val Goodsell did not dream she was destined to tap into the religious
> > > spirit of a Norfolk shrine village when she ordered some building work
to
> > > be done. The discovery of a well behind her candle shop in Walsingham
has
> > > prompted strange goings on. and she is approaching experts to test
the
> > > water to see if there is any explanation for the bizarre phenomena.
The
> > > village is famous for well water which allegedly has healing
properties.
> > > People travel from far and wide to be sprinkled withholy water from
the
> > > Anglican shrine.
> > >
> > > Village folklore has long suggested there was a second well with
healing
> > > properties and the discovery of the structure during building work
behind
> > > Vals candle shop may resolve the mystery. As builders began to dig
down
> > > the structure, they began to experience strange things. One kept
feeling
> > > uplifted while working on the excavation and another was motivated to
lose
> > > weight and enrol on a college course to get further qualifications.
Other
> > > people who have clambered down reported similar effects and pilgrims
> > > visiting the village have even taken mud from a skip in the hope it
has
> > > healing qualities.
> > >
> > > Val said the effects of the well had been consistent for all who had
been
> > > down. "They have been getting very excited. It is that kind of
fervour",
> > > she explained. Jamie Foulds, who visited the well, said: "It just
felt
> > > very sort of calming. It is hard to explain really."
> > >
> > > Council officials are to test the waters, an independent study may be
> > > commissioned and local clergy are blessing the well tomorrow. Val is
> > > keeping an open mind about the issue. "If something brings hope to
people
> > > then that is half the battle for them if they have various ailments,"
she
> > > said."
> > >
[snip]
> > > > >From: "Brenda Harry" <[log in to unmask]>
> > > > >To: "Janet Bord" <[log in to unmask]>
> > > > >Subject: Healing well
> > > > >Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 16:29:38 +0100
> > > > > Dear Janet Bord, My friend in Walsingham has just cleared an
old
> > > > >well in her garden. It is 20 feet down and a clarivoyant has told
her it
> > > > >goes down a further 40/60 feet. And that it is a healing well. We
need
> > > > >advice on testing etc. I couldn't find anything on the internet
for Karl
> > > > >Stamper whom you mentioned. Can you advise on a Well
Association??? Kind
> > > > >regards Brenda Harry
> > > > >
> > > > To all members of wells-and-spas:
> > > >
> > > > Is there anyone out there who can help Brenda and her friend? If
so,
> > > > please reply direct to Brenda as she is not a member and won't see
any
> > > > responses sent to the list. From this and a later message she sent
me, I
> > > > get the impression that the 'testing' she refers to is how to find
out if
> > > > the well is a healing and/or holy well. Is there anyone living near
> > > > Walsingham who could take a look and ascertain whether the well is
an
> > > > ordinary domestic well or something special? I somehow feel that
she
> > > > shouldn't rely solely on a clairvoyant's belief that it is a healing
well!
> > > > Brenda also asks for advice on 'liming' a well.
> > > >
> > > > Janet Bord
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