THEMERRY OLDMONTH OF MAY

BY HEATHER LARGE

May Day celebrations including the ribbon dance around amaypoledate back centuries.

Like many traditions, there are different theories on how it began.

Some historians says it started in Roman Britain about 2,000 years ago.

Soldiers would mark the arrival of spring by dancing around decorated trees to thank the goddess Flora.

Others believe its roots are linked with pagan folklore and ancient Celts would select atree to be stripped of its branches and decorated with flower garlands.

Today,maypole dances and country fairs are commonplace for the May Day Bank Holiday

Maypoles can often be found on village greens with ribbons pinned to the top for local children to dance around.

ThroughoutMay,many people will also be taking advantage of the sunnier days to get out in the great outdoors and enjoy of some of our county’s wonderful beauty spots.

A decorated Claverlley viillage centrewas the scene for a Maypole dance by schoolchildren as part of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977

Bridgnorth Festival Queen ClaireFullwood (centre) with attendants Hayley Smith (left)and Helen Dodd preparing to lead the town’s carnival procession at thefestival in May 1988.

Entertainers descended upon TelfordTown Shopping CentreinMay 1998 to provide family fun overthe Whitsun holiday. Professor Punchinello was just one of the entertainers wooing the crowds with his bubble machine and Punch and Judy show.

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