The English, being that little bit more refined, preferred to strut around a maypole, doing sporty things that included male dancers dressed in white with bells on their calves, clashing sticks and waving hankies. May Day was also formerly the day of the London Chimney Sweepers' Festival. Another of our scribes, Pat Clark of Cornwall, reminded me of Flora Day in Helston, when visitors arrive from all parts of the world to see the Furry Dance, in which a long line of dancers travels around the town, going through houses and shops decorated with leafy branches, lily of the valley and bluebells. The same music is always played by local musicians. Hundreds of children are in the dance at 10a.m., all wearing white and with flowers in their hair.
Adults dance at noon in formal dress and there are other dances in the evening.
A rather bizarre Padstow tradition dates back to 1502. It concerns the townsfolk and their infatuation with a wooden hobby horse. In this, the first year of the 21st century, the good people of Padstow were out in force, displaying religious fervour as they took part in the O'Obby 'Oss'. They may love it but the church and the gentry have always frowned on the custom. I am most grateful to Pat for the wonderful cutting from the Western Morning News that tells me all about it.