The Bourtons - Traditions and Festivities

Our Villages > Down Memory Lane > Traditions and Festivities

The May Garland c1926/7

Traditionally May Day (1st May) celebrated the promise of summer after the long hard winter. A May Garland was made and processed around the parish by the children - the garland in the photo would have been taken round both Great and Little Bourton. The May Queen accompanies the garland, chosen from the girls of the parish.

The origin of May Day lies in the Roman festival of flora. Children (usually the girls) carried hoops decorated with flowers to represent the goddess of spring.

Thanks to Cyril for this lovely photo. The lady to the left of the photo is "Granny" Goode, who moved to Little Bourton when she retired from being the crossing keeper at Little Mill. (See Mill Lane Stroll)