[CloneClown]

I'm just wondering if there are still events around the country which traditionally mark the 1st May (i.e. dancing around a May pole)? Also what is the story behind May Day - why is it historically significant?

[Hathor]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_day
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...e+Search&meta=

You can go and see some morris dancing on these days if you (are bored so badly you are close to shooting yourself) wish.

Most people go to the dump, watch tv, or mow the lawn.

[Migueliones]

There's a May Day fête with maypole dancing and stalls etc. down in the town centre on the green outside the Anglican church. My old school was CofE also and we'd all do maypole dancing at school and the fête and my sister was the May Queen one year.

The Catholic church here also has the May Crowning where they put a crown of flowers on a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in addition to getting involved in the fête

My family normally go down to the fête. I usually go off with my friends and enjoy the day off school coming up

[Ted_Casablanca]

I have never been to the dump on may day or mowed the lawn or wathched the tv. I drink and eat with family

CASABLANCA

[Justabloke]

my town always has a "fayre" (<- I hate that), there are traditional fun fair stalls, morris dancing and a maypole as well.

This year (first time ever) there will apperently be a nod in the direction of "diversity", not sure whats meant by that cos no-one was saying...

[UKMikey]

Some right wingers also resent the fact that the early May bank holiday coincides with several "Labor Day" type celebrations around the world associated with worker's solidarity. They'd rather we had a day off in October instead because it commemorates an ancient naval battle.

With the Octobers we get in this country it rather seems that they would be cutting off their noses to spite their faces. With the average temperature in Britain getting warmer again, though, the idea may gain more support.

[platelet]

It's a german idea, basically an excuse to get sweaty, drink beer, and dance with girls.

There have been attempts to tie it's origin to pagan rituals - usually by protestant christians who:

a) want an excuse to spoil everyone's fun
b) think it's a bit phallic

You'll probably find the same kind of nonesense from a few wicca sites, who try to establish the same kind of link, but with a different motivation, i.e.

a) to convince people that wicca predates 1954

The important thing to remember however is: get sweaty, drink beer, and dance with girls.

[Tel69]

Thankfully the great unwashed haven't smashed up Central London for a few years now. Maybe they got bored with all that Anti-Captalist nonsense.

[Justabloke]

Originally Posted by UKMikey

Some right wingers also resent the fact that the early May bank holiday coincides with several "Labor Day" type celebrations around the world associated with worker's solidarity. They'd rather we had a day off in October instead because it commemorates an ancient naval battle.

With the Octobers we get in this country it rather seems that they would be cutting off their noses to spite their faces. With the average temperature in Britain getting warmer again, though, the idea may gain more support.

I'd like to see a Bank holiday in october for no other reason than the fact that we have 3 or 4 in quick succession... one in August and then nothing until christmas/new year.
Lose a spring one, replace it with an autumn one.

Makes perfect sense, if using trafalgar as a hook will help that happen then cool.

Of course, I could say that left wingers resent the possiblity of having it in October because it would celebrate Britains imperialist past.

[Cstar2229]

The one in Oxford is brilliant - just be careful if you drive

[Spot]

Originally Posted by UKMikey

With the Octobers we get in this country it rather seems that they would be cutting off their noses to spite their faces. With the average temperature in Britain getting warmer again, though, the idea may gain more support.

I'll leave the weather statisticians to give the actual facts here, but my perception is that a day in early May is more likely to be cold and wet than a day in October. It can take a long time for the weather to warm up, though obviously this year it will be warm and sunny for the first few days of the month. However early May weather can be decidedly chilly. October is normally nothing like as cold as people expect, as it also takes a long time for the weather to cool down in the autumn, and it can sometimes be very warm indeed.

The main argument against the early May holiday for me is its proximity to Easter and the Whitsun holiday at the end of the month. In years when Easter is late they can be very close together, followed by three months when there is no holiday - in England and Wales at least. However as someone who dislikes public holidays, there is an attraction in the present arrangements in that we get most of them out of the way in a short space of time.

[Shayera Hol]

Originally Posted by Cstar2229

The one in Oxford is brilliant - just be careful if you drive

I never quite got around to going to that, despite 3 years as a student and another 3 as a towny - a definite missed opportunity!

[Stooo]

It`s all about willies

[LucyGoosey]

Originally Posted by stuart7364

It`s all about willies

No it's not, it's to celebrate me coming into the world (At least that's what my mum tells me)

[Stooo]

Originally Posted by LucyGoosey

No it's not, it's to celebrate me coming into the world (At least that's what my mum tells me)

Yep, willies, told ya

[*Bex*]

isn't it something to with the communists?

[darkpaw]

Originally Posted by Spot

I'll leave the weather statisticians to give the actual facts here, but my perception is that a day in early May is more likely to be cold and wet than a day in October. It can take a long time for the weather to warm up, though obviously this year it will be warm and sunny for the first few days of the month. However early May weather can be decidedly chilly. October is normally nothing like as cold as people expect, as it also takes a long time for the weather to cool down in the autumn, and it can sometimes be very warm indeed.

.

Cast ne'er a clout 'til May be out