May

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The month of May is very rich in traditions and superstitions. The First day of May, or May Day sees a number of celebrations, some famous like Padstow and others unknown except to those taking part.

May superstitions and sayings include "Marry in May, rue the Day" and "Mist in May, Heat in June Makes harvest come right soon."

1st - 3rd May - Minehead Somerset The Sailor's Horse in Dunster at dawn and Minehead in the evenings.

First Saturday in May - Knutsford, Cheshire - Sanding and Royal May Day

May Day Holiday

Ickwell May Day - Ickwell Green, Bedfordshire

Chimney Sweep's Festival & Jack-in-the-Green - Rochester, Kent

Green Man & Morris - Hastings, Sussex

Jack-in-the-Green procession & Morris - Whitstable, Kent

Black Prince Flower Boat - Rane Peninsula, Cornwall

8th May - Helston Furry Dance, Helston, Cornwall

Second Saturday in May - May Queen & Maypole Dancing, Hayes Common, Kent

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Ascension Day

This falls on the 40th day after Easter Sunday.

Ascension Day marks the day when Jesus Christ ascended up into Heaven. It was 40 days after his resurrection from the dead, which was on Easter Sunday.

On this day, in Whitby, North Yorkshire, the Hutton family erect The Penny Hedge on the foreshore in the harbour.

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Hunting of the Earl of Rone Weekend including the last Monday in May

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