May Day

May Day - the first of May has long been a time for celebrations and some of them pre-date Christianity. In Celtic society, May Day was the celebration of Beltane marking the start of Summer.

The customs associated with May Day are:

• Maypole Dancing
• Bringing In The May or going-a-maying
• Morris Dancing
• Queen of the May
• Washing in May Dew
• Garlands
• Lifting
• Well Dressing

The celebrations of May Day were increasing under siege from Protestant Reformers in the mid-sixteenth century.