A HOLY well restored by the Rev Sabine Baring-Gould in the early 20th century has just been re-dedicated in a ceremony at Lewtrenchard recently.

The well stands in a woodland garden created by Sabine Baring-Gould, but with the onset of the first world war, Sabine's declining health and the death of his wife, Grace, the holy well and its garden only enjoyed a brief life.

The site of the well was capped with concrete after his death and subsequent water engineering works almost entirely obliterated the structure.

When members of the local history society, Lewdown Past, were looking for the well, they were unsuccessful, but in their search, they discovered the traces of Sabine's beautiful woodland garden.

The discovery led to the formation of the Friends of The Forgotten Garden of Lewtrenchard, which ultimately, with the help of old photographs and maps, found the site of the holy well in 2007.