May Day in Penryn
Penryn has had a Mayday Celebration for hundreds of years and was one of only three towns in Cornwall with its own Furry Dance. Alas, unlike Helston’s dance, Penryn’s fell into disuse in the Fifties – but now it’s being revived!
Mayday celebrations go back thousands of years to pagan times when Neolithic farmers would celebrate the coming of summer with bonfires from hill to hill across the land. Then they were adopted by the Catholic Church which turned Mayday into one of the feast-days dedicated to Our Lady, Mary the mother of Jesus Christ. Celebrated with joy all through medieval times, these festivals tended to be frowned on by Puritan Protestants and, like Christmas, many were banned during the English Civil War and Protectorate. Industrialisation led to further decline by separating so many people from their roots in the land. That’s why there are so few still around in England and Cornwall.
Penryn is reviving an ancient tradition in a modern way.
May Day timetable
- Street Market
- 2pm - Dancing down the street
- Entertainment
- MayQueen competition
- Maypole dancing
- 8pm - Fairy/Furry Ball at the Kings’ Arms
Donate a prize?
we always need prizes and sponsorship and this year more than ever – all local business who support the celebration will be thanked on the printed Program which this year will also do duty as a raffle ticket.
Email us on wendymgh@btinternet.com or come and talk to Patricia at Words: the coffee shop.