May Traditions

Return of the Sun!

Certainly there has been little in the way of traditional may festivities in the town since the war at least. Alongside the Festival was what was originally know as the Gay Boys Market, a spring 'get together' for farmer and landowners looking to recruit seasonal workers and sell all manner of goods, even bicycles!

In days gone by the may pole would be cut from the local woods and paraded into the town or village centre, there it would be prepared an decked with flowers and ribbons and blessed by a priest but not alkways a priest of modern tradtions. The traditional dances would take place with a free wheeling crown or fixed, when the commonly known plaiting of the ribbons would take place - the tightness and neatness of the plaiting would predict the type of harvest that year and the general prosperity of the community.

There are many British May Festivals which include the Obby Oss. The Obby Oss often accompanies Morris Teams, usually in the form of a man on a skirted horse. It also turns up with Mummers and Guisers, traditions thought lost now in Uttoxeter although evident in the 70‘s and 80s. In other areas the Obby Oss carries a staff, touching which gives good luck and fertility.

Our very own Mayfest Obby Oss will make its first appearance this year - seeking maidens and children to devour under its skirts and carrying that lucky staff to lure them in.

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Beltaine

May Day exists in older traditions and alternative belief sytems as a celebration of the ‘return of the sun’ and many include familiar characters such as the 'Green Man' and the May Queen. It is a fire festival and the Beltaine bonfires are at lit at pagan festivals - jumping over them or between gives good luck and purifies.

A whole day of festivities would usually ensue to celebrate the coming of Summer and to promote fertility and general prosperity of the community. Some established modern day festivals span entire weekends.

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Jack O’ the Green

A well known character at most My Day events would be Jack ‘O the Green or the Green Man,. He appears in many Spring legends and myths and his origins and symbolism are varied. The most common understanding of him is that he is the Spirit of Summer. At May Festivals he is generally taken out of his Winter hiding place and taken to the May Pole where he, or at the least last years tired spirit is slain to release a new and vigorous energy for the coming year. But he isn’t always slain.

Beltaine is one of the three "spirit-nights" of the year when the faeries can be seen, it is said. At dusk, twist a rowan sprig into a ring and look through it, and you may see them…..