Old Brine, Nantwich

On Ascension Day, the old inhabitants of Nantwich piously sang a hymn of thanksgiving for the blessing of the Brine. A very ancient pit, called the Old Brine, or Biat (Partridge’s History of Nantwich), was also held in great veneration, and till within these few years was annually on this festival decked with flowers and garlands, and was encircled by a jovial band of young people, celebrating the day with song and dance. Aubrey says: ” In Cheshire, when they went in perambulation, they did blesse the springs, i.e., they did read the Gospel at them, and did believe the water was the better.” [The Legendary Lore of the Holy Wells of England by Robert Charles Hope (1893)]