Another successful and fun filled May Day procession took place in Milford & Makeney on Saturday 11th May 2024. Helped by lovely weather, large crowds gathered at all 3 venues (The Holly Bush, The Elephant & Peacock and Milford School).
Starting at the Holly Bush at midday we were first treated to dancing by the Black Pig Morris troupe, back after a years absence.
It’s 75 years since Matthew Bannister first broke the 4 minute mile record and so this year’s May Day had a “sport” theme. Our own Maids of The Mill gleefully tapped into this, with an hilarious dance disguised as the 118 runners!
Then it was the traditional Maypole dancing with Milford & Makeney school children, and finally the return of the fire eater!
At 1.30pm the procession moved down Makeney Road, led as ever by Maypole bearer Jake Everett. As usual Makeney Road had been closed (thanks to Mark Hudson and Derbyshire Police for their help with this) to let the procession through, which led to a much safer experience for all.
As last year, the Maypole was beautifully adorned with flowers from village gardens and hedgerows.
At The Elephant & Peacock the same sequence of entertainment followed (Black Pig, Maids of The Mill, Maypole, Fire Eater) before the procession left at 2.45pm heading to its final destination, Milford School and the school fayre.
Once at the school the Maids of The Mill/118 runners had a final flourish…
The Milford School Fayre was a great success, with over £1000 earned for the PTA and nearly £150 earned for Blooming Milford from their plant stall.
For articles and pictures of previous Milford & Makeney May Day celebrations, see here for 2023, here for 2022, and for photos from May Day events going further back into the past see here.
