“We love the things we love for what they are.”
― Robert Frost
Today is a bank holiday in England and that traditionally is known as May Day.Whilst Summer doesn’t officially begin until June, it’s a day that marks the beginning of the season and has been celebrated for over 2,000 years. May Day was on the 1st of the month but the first Monday after that is typically a Bank Holiday with schools shut and many work places closed for the day. Mine is included!
Having worked in the care industry for seven years prior to Summer 2012 it was very rare that I could actually get a Bank Holiday off unless I bribed. There used to be a process by which you worked one and had the following one off – it never actually worked like that though. Since last August though I have to get used to having to stay home on Bank Holidays which does actually feel quite odd sometimes!
Since i was old enough to remember, we’ve had a fayre in the park in the village. I’ve tried to find out how many years it’s been going but there doesn’t seem to be much documentation. I do know at least that it’s more than twenty three years! Traditionally there is a raft race, bric a brac stalls, books, games, coconut shys, cream teas and ice cream as well as races for children and parents and the very amusing ‘Splat a rat.’ Regardless of the weather, plenty of people usually turn out and throughout Monday you can hear the music from where we live. And of course everyone parks their cars in our road. Joy!
Whilst others celebrate the holiday, there is something oddly nice about being in Britain on such days and amongst such patriotism and strive for tradition. We’ve got our weeks of the Olympics coming up and before that, The Queen’s Jubilee – and even the colours of the British flag stand proud and look good at times such as this. It’s quite nice! So here’s a bit of Britishness for May Day!
Kathryn Dawson Photography 