St Annes Well

Siston: A Pin Well. Situated right of the roadside SW of the church of St Anne just before reaching St Anne’s Bridge is St Anne’s Well. It is a rough stone trough 4 feet by 2 feet, at road level divided into two unequal sections. In its heyday it drew people from Bristol especially the poor and those with weak eyes or those who were infertile. Pins were dropped into the well by women, hoping to become pregnant at the next intercourse. The efficacy of the waters as an eye cure was locally publicised as late as the 1930s. Similar wells with this custom and intention existed at Wrington, East Harptree and Portishead.

The cult of St Anne was at its height in the 14th century, and the bridge spans a stream which flows into the Bristol Avon.

The well is situated in a dangerous bend in the road, and is not immediately obvious, having become a repository for all sorts of litter. Local residents regularly attempt to keep it clear but seem to be fighting a losing battle. The bridge was rebuilt in 1790 but is very narrow and pedestrians standing looking at the well are in danger of accident from traffic passing over.

Picture of the well believed to be from the 1950's