MAY DAY BY TOM HANCOCK A DAY TO CELEBRATE

The May Day bank holiday, observed on the first Monday of May each year, is a cherished tradition in the UK. It marks the advent of spring and provides a welcome day off from work for many people. So how come we get a national holiday at this time of year?

May Day has its roots in ancient traditions that celebrated the arrival of spring and the renewal of life. The Celts observed Beltane, a festival that marked the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, while the Romans held the festival of Flora, the goddess of flowers and springtime. Over time, these traditions merged and evolved, giving rise to the modern May Day celebrations.

It was during the medieval period that May Day festivities became increasingly popular in England. The celebrations often included the crowning of a May Queen, a young girl chosen to represent the spirit of spring, and the performance of Morris dancing, a traditional English folk dance. One of the most iconic symbols of May Day is the maypole, a tall wooden pole adorned with colourful ribbons that are woven into intricate patterns by dancers.

In the 17th century, the rise of Puritanism in England led to a decline in the popularity of May Day celebrations. The Puritans sought to rid society of what they considered to be immoral and decadent practices, and they viewed the festivities as pagan and inappropriate. As a result, May Day celebrations were suppressed for several decades.

In the 19th century, May Day experienced a revival, largely thanks to the burgeoning labour movement. Workers were campaigning for better working conditions and shorter hours and May Day became intertwined with this in 1889, when the International Socialist Conference declared May 1st as International Workers’ Day.

Despite this, May Day did not become an official bank holiday in the UK until 1978. It was instituted by Michael Foot, then the Labour Employment Secretary, and Prime Minister James Callaghan as a means of providing workers with an additional day off and bolstering support for the government’s policies. The May Day bank holiday was initially met with some resistance, as opponents argued that it would disrupt business and promote socialist ideology. However, it quickly gained widespread acceptance and is now an integral part of the British calendar.

Traditional customs, such as the crowning of the May Queen, Morris dancing, and the maypole dance, continue to be observed in many towns and villages. There can’t be many nicer ways to spend a sunny May Day than to wander around a village fete enjoying the holiday atmosphere. I wonder if the Morris dancers have any vacancies this year …

What’s on at Bersted Jubilee Hall

Subject to change, please call 01243 842221.

MAY 2023

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ELECTIONS— Parish and District 4 May

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What we can do to assist the community:

• provide a reassuring, uniformed patrolling presence.

• Provide an eyes and ears service aimed at reducing the fear of crime.

• reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour by intervening at an early stage and providing intelligence to Police and the ASB team.

• report environmental issues, such as fly-tipping, littering and graffiti to preserve the environment.

• host community engagement events to give residents a voice.

• support vulnerable members of the community by reducing isolation.

• offer crime prevention advice.

• work in close partnership with other agencies to the benefit of communities.

• act as professional witnesses where appropriate.

• Offer support to victims of crime and anti-social behaviour in reporting incidents.

• encourage more resilient local communities and support them to improve their surroundings.

What we don’t do:

• we are not a replacement for the Police.

• we are not an emergency response service. A crime in progress or where there is a risk of harm should be reported to the Police directly.

• as we do not work 24/7 there will be times when neither warden is on duty.

LITTERPICKS around Bersted 2023

• we do not provide a care service but are able to refer vulnerable people to relevant support agencies.

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