Wellow Maypole Day celebrations to take place this spring bank holiday Monday (May 26)

The Wellow Maypole Day is returning this bank holiday Monday with a packed day of tradition and fun.

Wellow Maypole Day offers a traditional family-friendly event centred around the village’s 17 metres high painted maypole.

The Maypole Celebrations have been a feature of Wellow village life for well over a hundred years, and on Monday (May 26), people are invited to join from 12noon to 5pm.

This year we are celebrating 75 years since Wellow Maypole Celebrations were restarted after a prolonged break during and after World War 2.

Following the children’s procession from St. Swithin’s church, the main focus of Maypole Day is the crowning of the new May Queen.

Gaby Cooper, the event’s May Queen elect, will be crowned by the retiring May Queen, Evie Hollingworth, and after this, the children will perform a variety of intricate maypole dances they have learnt in the weeks leading up to the day.

Providing fun and mischief among the celebrations will be Wellow Jack and his accompanying ‘Bogies’.

Aside from the crowning and maypole dancing, highlights will include the return of the Medieval Maniax, live music provided by singer songwriter Ollie Hayes, and Morris dancing performed by Morris side Rattlejag.

There will also be a miniature steam engine and vintage Mini cars to admire this year.

For the children, there will be traditional Punch and Judy and children’s swing boats, and plenty of stalls, crafts and games.

Hot and cold food is available in the foodie area on the green throughout the afternoon, including homemade cakes from the renowned cake stall outside the village hall.

Entry to the event is free, but the organisers encourage visitors to buy a souvenir programme, raffle tickets or play on the tombola to help fund next year’s event.

Parking will be available at Wellow Dam and Wellow House School.