Mayday tomorrow, which traditionally marked the beginning of Summer. There are loads of traditions associated with this day including:

Mayday tomorrow, which traditionally marked the beginning of Summer. There are loads of traditions associated with this day including:

The Maypole, at one time a sapling cut down especially for the occasion, in some places they were erected permanently in village squares, many were cut down during puritan times.

The May Obby Oss/Hobby Horse festivals at Padstow and Minehead.

May Goslings were tricks played on May Day similar to those played on April fools day, I think this was the North of England but can’t remember off the top of my head.

May Horns were blown from dawn on Mayday in many parts of the country, as a welcoming act for Summer.

May Garlands (flower decorations) were carried around some villages – sometimes with a May Doll, that was taken door to door.

Dew from the ground was collected by women on May Day as it was thought to have healing properties, and was also thought to bring good luck. This was once commonplace: one traditional collection point being Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.

May Birching was practiced on May Eve in some villages where branches representing what you thought of your neighbours were pinned to doors, thorns were generally bad and other branches represented different things.