Kintbury enjoys annual May Day celebrations and raises money for Kintbury St Mary’s Primary School

Kintbury held its annual May Day celebrations this week in the most traditional way possible.

Kintbury St Mary’s Primary School PTA worked alongside the morris dancing troupe Garston Gallopers to put on the event on Monday (May 1) which featured May pole dancing and a school fete.

The day began at St Mary’s Church, where the Gallopers began with Morris dancing and with the crowning of the May king and queen, as well as the younger male and female attendants, all of whom are Kintbury St Mary’s pupils.

This year, the May king was Anthony and the May queen was Emily; the male attendant was Cruz and the female attendant was Sienna.

The headdresses for the king and queen were made by Sarah Styles and Wendy Lewis, and the flowers were supplied by Newbury florist Willow & Blooms.

After the king and queen were crowned, the entire group processed through Kintbury to the school where the Gallopers performed again, this time around a traditional May pole.

The following fete was sponsored by the estate agents Downer & Co who funded Mr Muddle, a magician who made balloon animals and flowers for the children.

A local Scout troop manned the barbecue, and there were local craft sellers as well as typical fete offerings such as a tombola and cake stall.

The fete was raised just over £900 for the PTA, which is currently gathering funds for more equipment for the school.

PTA member Sam Ellis said: “The day was lovely. Even the weather was on our side so we were really lucky with that. It was really well supported by the village.”