Video & Pictures John Hopkins
VIDEO: AFTER losing the use of the Lymm May Queen field due to heavy rain earlier in the year the annual event was blessed with fine weather as it paraded through the village.
Organisers worked hard to ensure the event could continue, by making use and adapting the local car parks in the village centre.
The crownings took place of Lymm May Queen Eleanor Macdonald and Lymm Rose Queen Caitlin Ellison who were joined by Dorothy Greenhalgh, the esteemed May Queen of 1948, returning to grace the parade.
The new Queens with former Queen Dorothy Greenhalgh Picture John Hopkins
The Lymm May Queen tradition dates back to 1847 with the establishment of the Band of Hope by Jabez Tunnicliff, a venerable Baptist Minister in Leeds. In an era where alcohol held sway as a societal norm, the Band of Hope arose as a beacon of sobriety, staunchly advocating for complete abstinence. This noble movement, embraced by various denominations, offered children a sanctuary away from the temptations of alcohol, birthing alcohol-free sanctuaries like the esteemed Temperance Hotel in Lymm.
The inception of the Lymm & Oughtrington Band of Hope Festival in 1889 marked a union of two venerable traditions: the religious processions commonplace in the North West and the May Queen Fair originating from Knutsford, immortalized in Lord Tennyson’s timeless poem “The May Queen.” While the May Queen Fair exuded a romanticized aura of a bygone “Merrie England,” Lymm endeavoured to infuse its solemn procession with elements of joviality, revelry, and the crowning of a Lymm May Queen, all while remaining steadfast to its roots in church ethos and temperance principles.
Organisers said: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated volunteers at the Lymm Heritage Centre, custodians of the invaluable records that serve as the bedrock of Lymm’s storied past. Without their tireless efforts, delving into history’s annals would be a daunting task. As a committee, we are committed to preserving this rich legacy by donating all official photographs from our event to the Heritage Centre, ensuring that the tapestry of Lymm’s history continues to unfurl for generations to come.”
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👑🌞Lovely day at @LymmMay – sunshine, steam engines, marching bands, morris dancers and smiling faces with a busy village – well done to the organisers 🙏 pic.twitter.com/16ZQeotlJo
— Andy Carter MP (@MrAndy_Carter) May 18, 2024
