Knutsford Royal May Day
Knutsford Royal May Day is the highlight of the town’s calendar and it takes place every year on the first Saturday in May. The procession through the town and the crowning of the May Queen began in 1864 by the Vicar of Knutsford, the Rev. Robert Clowes. The prefix ‘Royal’ was bestowed on the event in 1887 by their Majesties King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, then Prince and Princess of Wales. Knutsford remains exceedingly proud of its Royal title. Read more →
Ciara York to become Knutsford’s Royal May Queen 2019
Royal May Queen 2019
Thirteen-year-old Ciara York was chosen as the 2019 Royal May Queen on Tuesday 29th January, in what proved to be another very successful selection evening.
The selection, which was held at Knutsford Academy Lower School, was well attended with more than 40 children entering for the positions of May Queen and Maid of Honour.
Alongside Ciara, a number of other girls were chosen as members of the court. Isabella Cunningham and Libby Ellis were selected as Ladies in Waiting, Daisy Boardman, Aurora Lee-Kilgariff Annabel Reeve and Maisie Wright were chosen to be Court Ladies, while Laura Silcock will be this year’s Maid Marion. Amelie McGill Anglin, Lily Boardman, Kyra Howard, Chloe Kirkham, Holly Pearce and Daisy Scott were all selected as Maids of Honour.
Also present on the evening was 14-year-old Finley Wright, who is this year’s Crown Bearer. Finley, who has worked his way up through the ranks since the age of five, was on hand to congratulate Ciara and present her with a bunch of flowers.
Prior to the selection evening, Knutsford Royal May Day Committee announced a number of important changes to the process of choosing a May Queen. As well as carrying a name card instead of a number and standing in a line rather than walking around the room, each candidate was asked a short question.
(Crown Bearer for 2019)
“The changes worked extremely well on the night,” explained Secretary, Eileen Podmore. “All the girls were asked the same question and it was lovely to hear them sharing their fondest memories of May Day.”
Another change that was met with universal approval was the introduction of a Golden Ticket, which was presented to unsuccessful May Queen and Maid of Honour candidates. This special ticket will give them and a friend early entry into the character selection, which will be held on Saturday 9th March at Knutsford Academy Lower School from 12 noon until 2pm. Those with a Golden Ticket can skip the queue and attend the selection at 11.30.
Although the May Day dancers were selected on Thursday 29th January, any child aged between 7 and 16 years-old that was unable to attend but would still like to participate should contact Becky Stott on 07468 596119. No dance experience is required and rehearsals will take place every Monday and Thursday from 5-7pm until May Day.
This year’s May Day will take place on Saturday 4th May 2019 and is already shaping up to be another fantastic celebration.
The first celebration at Knutsford, of May Day, took place on Monday 2nd May when such a site was witnessed by the inhabitants as will not be forgotten. The idea was first originated with the Miss Clowes, through whose efforts the arrangements were carried out most successfully …… Throughout the town the day was observed as a general holiday, and the inhabitants appeared in holiday costume, while flags and banners hung from almost every trademan’s window.'(Guardian, May 7th 1864).
Sanding
One of the unique customs of the Knutsford Royal May Day Festival is that of ‘sanding’ the streets. Mottoes and arabesques traced in bright coloured sand decorate the pavements. It doesn’t survive long, gentle rain may highlight the colours and imprints them on the pavement. Heavy rain and passing feet obliterates them!!! Sanding is carried out outside the May Queen and Crown Bearers houses, outside the Lord Eldon (the home of the first official May Queen) and various other places around the town.
Sanding at St John’s Church in 2013
Knutsford ‘Royal’ May Day 201Knutsford ‘Royal’ May Day 2017
“Knutsford, the little Cheshire town Mrs Gaskell described as ‘Cranford’, has one of the grandest May Day pageants in Britain.”
Roy Kerridge published in the The Spectator, 13th May 1983.