It’s May Day – but not as we know it...

IN this unnerved world where most of our beloved traditions have fallen victim to the fear of a virus, it would be easy to forget that today is May Day.

Ceremonies to welcome the arrival of spring usually held across the UK have been shelved for the second year running.

People in Padstow will be mourning the loss of their annual ’Obby ’Oss event, and there will be no Flower Boat Parade through the villages of Kingsand, Cawsand, and Millbrook.

And while I might be tempted to head out at dawn today to bathe in the youth-restoring early morning dew, that’s probably also not recommended at the moment.

It’s a pity because May Day, although celebrated around the world, is one of the oldest and most quintessentially English events of the year. It also marks the return of spring and the not-too-distant hope of summer.

We might be particularly sorry then that the Black Prime flower boat won’t be getting its outing in

South East Cornwall this year. The tradition of parading the boat and then launching it into the sea is aimed at “banishing any wicked weather as it goes.”

Organisers of the festival have stoically urged locals to make a sociallydistant wish for good weather and see off bad spirits instead. A post on their Facebook page reads: “This year due to Covid restrictions, we will not be able to hold our beloved Black Prince Flower Boat Festival. Instead we ask you to join us safely from afar, to banish the winter blues and welcome spring and summer; providing a good harvest from land and sea.”

Many farmers will be right behind that sentiment, particularly considering the recent lack of rain to water young crops.

While May Day is now really just an excuse for a bit of fun, it has its tradition firmly rooted in agriculture.

The springtime celebrations filled with dance and song originally hailed the sown fields starting to sprout. Cattle were driven to pasture, special bonfires were lit, and the doors of houses and livestock sheds were decorated with yellow May flowers.

Later, celebrations evolved to “bringing in the May” with the gathering of wildflowers and green branches, the weaving of floral garlands, the crowning of a May king and queen and the setting up of a decorated May tree, or Maypole. Such rites were intended to ensure fertility for crops, livestock and humans, but in most cases this significance has been gradually lost, including the reason for dancing around a Maypole.

Sadly, the interweaving of colourful ribbons and curious children will also fall victim to Covid this year. It probably can’t be classified as an organised sport. But it is also deeply entrenched in country traditions and deserves to be brought back as soon as possible.

The Maypole was originally a living tree brought in from the woods amid much merrymaking. Ancient Celts danced around it, praying for good crops and fertility. And for younger people, it held the possibility of finding a love match. If paired by sundown, the courtship was allowed to continue so that the couple could get to know each other and be married just six weeks later on June’s Midsummer’s Day. This is how the “June Wedding” became the tradition it remains to this day.

Another old tradition, which has sadly disappeared, is the May Basket. People would leave a paper basket, or cone, with spring flowers and sweets on each other’s doorsteps, usually anonymously, on May 1. A bit like ‘trick or treat’ in reverse.

This tradition was popular through the 19th and 20th centuries, especially with children or sweethearts. The custom was to knock on the door, yell “May basket!” and then run. If the recipient caught the giver, he or she was entitled to a kiss.

That’s something that really wouldn’t be allowed during the pandemic, particularly with health chiefs warning that kissing strangers is banned this May Day weekend. No looking for suitors in 2021 then!

There are many things we didn’t know we valued, or how much we enjoyed, before Covid reared its ugly head. And while much-loved by many in the Westcountry, perhaps May Day celebrations should be more widely embraced.

And if you were up at dawn today , bathing in the dew, or frost, I hope it has brought you both intense beauty and very good luck!

Springtime celebrations filled with dance and song hailed the sown fields starting to sprout