Rain-soaked crowds gathered to celebrate one of Britain’s oldest May Day traditions as villagers carried on dancing, singing and crowning their May Queen despite heavy downpours.
The Dartmoor village of Lustleigh marked the 121st continuous year of its May Day celebrations on Saturday, May 2, with large crowds turning out for the annual event.
Children from the village accompanied May Queen Holly Skilton through the streets with traditional songs, folk music, a welcome from the Town Crier and a blessing from the Rector before returning to Lustleigh Orchard for the official crowning ceremony.
Holly was crowned on the village’s granite May Day rock and throne before 24 children took part in maypole dancing. Organisers said many of the young dancers were second-generation participants continuing the long-running tradition.
The afternoon featured old-fashioned fairground stalls, face painting and performances from Grimspound Border Morris and Brown Bread Choir.
Visitors also enjoyed ice creams served by Lustleigh Dairy owners Dean and Shirley, alongside afternoon tea and cakes at Lustleigh Village Hall.
Lustleigh has celebrated May Day since 1905 after the tradition was revived by antiquarian Cecil Torr. Organisers said celebrations had taken place in the village before then, although less regularly.
The granite May Day rock bears the names of previous May Queens, with Holly becoming the latest addition. Organisers said she had taken part in maypole dancing since the age of four.
Harriet Knowles, chairman of the Lustleigh May Day Committee, said: “Although we’ve been lucky enough to have sunshine on May Day in recent years, yesterday’s rain didn’t stop the visitors flocking to Lustleigh and it certainly didn’t dampen the children’s spirits.
“We are so proud of the enthusiasm and efforts of the children who work so hard to learn the dances, and to the whole community who pull together to share this special spring day.”
Next year’s Lustleigh May Day celebration will take place on Saturday, May 1.
More information is available at lustleighmayday.com.
