'May Day', May 1

Simon O'Donovan
3 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 14 hours ago

May Day – 1st May

May Day is one of the oldest traditional celebrations in the UK, marking the arrival of summer and the hope of warmer, brighter days ahead. It has its roots in ancient seasonal festivals celebrating new life, flowers, fertility, and the changing of the seasons.

Across Britain, May Day is often linked with colourful village traditions such as dancing around the maypole, Morris dancing, crowning the May Queen, and local fairs and parades. In some places, people still rise early to welcome the sunrise and gather flowers and greenery to decorate homes and village greens.

In the old Celtic calendar, the festival of Beltane (celebrated around 1st May) marked the beginning of summer and the end of winter. It was seen as a time of fertility, growth, flowers, and moving livestock out to summer pastures.

Famous celebrations include the Obby Oss Festival in Padstow, Cornwall, Helston Flora Day, and Jack-in-the-Green festival, most famously in Hastings, where people dress in leaves and greenery to welcome summer.

May Day is a lovely CST theme because it encourages discussion about springtime memories, village fetes, dancing, flowers, school maypole celebrations, and traditional British customs that many people remember from childhood.

CST Song Of The Day – The Floral Dance – Terry Wogan

“The Floral Dance” became a much-loved hit for Terry Wogan in 1978, bringing the famous Cornish tradition of Helston Flora Day to a whole new audience. The song tells the story of the joyful annual spring festival held in Helston, Cornwall, where people dance through the streets and brass bands play celebrating the arrival of summer.

With its catchy tune, cheerful marching rhythm, and vivid storytelling, the song is instantly recognisable and often raises a smile. Many people remember Terry Wogan not only as a much-loved television and radio presenter, but also for this surprising musical success.

This makes it a wonderful CST Song Of The Day because it encourages singing along, discussion about traditional village celebrations, memories of spring fairs and local festivals, and conversations about Cornwall, dancing, flowers, and old-fashioned community events.

May Day Celebrations

These May Day Celebration slides explore some of Britain’s best-loved springtime traditions and the joyful ways communities have marked the arrival of summer for generations. From dancing around the maypole and colourful Morris dancers, to crowning the May Queen and the lively Obby Oss celebrations in Padstow, these customs are full of music, flowers, ribbons, and local pride.

They provide a wonderful opportunity for CST discussion, helping people share memories of school Maypole dancing, village fetes, spring fairs, and old community celebrations. Many people remember taking part in these events as children, watching parades, or dressing up for special May Day occasions.

🧠 May Day Celebration Questions

Have you ever danced around a maypole at school or in your village?
Do you remember taking part in a May Queen celebration or seeing one in your local area?
Have you ever watched Morris dancers perform with bells, sticks, and handkerchiefs?
Did your town or village hold a spring fair, May Day parade, or flower festival?
Have you ever visited Cornwall and seen celebrations like Helston Flora Day or Padstow Obby Oss?
What flowers do you most associate with spring and May Day?
Which traditional celebration do you think looks the most fun - maypole dancing, Morris dancing, or crowning the May Queen?