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A On 16th July, Philip David and Petra posted the following e-mail about the Glastonbury White Spring to Well and Spas: "The well house is empty, padlocked, and displays a very out-of-character commercial notice board with estate agents' contact info. "Can anyone get them to remove it and the padlock, so we can get in to clean up the trash and tend the plants, etc. as we do outside". I then spent a period away from home, but since my return I have not been able to find any reply to this request. I wonder if anyone could tell me more. As to the well house, it would appear that the previous owners have given up and are selling out. If so, I can't see any objection to the building being locked up and an estate agents board being affixed until such time as there should be another owner. If Philip David and Petra are eager to clear the rubbish and tend the plants, can they not get in touch with the estate agent? He might welcome a bit of tidying up! I have visited Glastonbury and the Chalice Well and White Spring several times in the past and main interest at present is in the future of the White Well itself. A few weeks ago, by coincidence, I bought Nicolas R. Mann's "The Isle of Avalon", a new edition of a book previously published in 1996. The new edition is published as a paperback, ISBN 0 9536631 3 2, by Green Magic, BCM Inspire, London WC1N 3XX. In this and previous booklets Nick Mann gives the fullest information anywhere available about the White Well, which contrasts with and complements the Red Spring (or Chalice Well), now beautifully preserved in a peaceful garden on the other side of Well House Lane. The sources of water of the two springs, only a few yards apart are very different, that of the Red Spring being chalybeate and coming from the deep strata, with no seasonal variation of flow, while that of the White Spring is calcareous and comes from higher levels, apparently from under Glastonbury Tor. Its flow is very subject to variation with the local weather. There are traditions that before being built over the White Spring gave access to underground caves, tending to confirm the belief that there are other caves under the Tor to which access has never yet been gained. Previously, the White spring had been a popular beauty spot, but during the 1870s, in order to provide a safe source of water free from the Cholera that had afflicted Glastonbury, the local council, in the face of much opposition from local people, enclosed the white spring and built a reservoir and pump house on the site. Surplus water continued to drain away from outside the pump house. More recently, in the 1980s, the buildings were disposed of by the water company and converted into a house and a somewhat dank and murky cafe. It is these buildings that are apparently now being sold. The remnants of the White Spring have received considerable attention from modern devotees of springs and the site outside the house is today decorated with rags and flowers and other offerings. In his book, Nick Mann expressed the hope that the White Spring might one day be restored, although he does not indicate just what he envisages. A full restoration would involve the demolition of the reservoir and pump house but, even if this was desirable, it might not be possible to get planning consent for this. Nevertheless, the site is of considerable interest, whatever views one might take of the two springs, geological, historical, mythological, mystical or otherwise. A restoration would complement the Chalice Well on the other side of Well House Lane. Perhaps, even, the two springs could be combined in one area (although the fact that Well House Lane is public highway would seem to preclude this). The fact that the Well House is at present apparently up for sale would seem to present an excellent opportunity and one which will be lost if not seized now.. Perhaps a Trust could be created to acquire it. It would, of course, require the raising of considerable sums of money, but public subscription might achieve this as it has done in the past. In the end, however, it would greatly enhance the attraction of this part of Glastonbury, between the Tor and the Chalice Well and preserve the beauty and traditions of the area for future generations. I live far from Glastonbury, but I have always enjoyed visiting ithe town and reading about its history, myths and traditions. I wonder if anyone else thought along these lines? I should welcome information. Yours sincerely, David Lister.