A HEARTFELT plea for help has been made ahead of the town’s biggest event of the year.
Thousands of people line the streets for the much-loved Knutsford Royal May Day, as 600 children parade in colourful costumes.
Just two weeks before the historic pageant returns on Saturday, May 13, organisers are desperately short of volunteers.
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The search is on to find marshalls to keep the procession route clear and bucket collectors to raise funds as festival costs have soared to £40,000.
Festival secretary Eileen Podmore said: “For the safety of the children, we must make sure people don’t encroach on the road as the procession goes by.
“We are also desperately short of bucket collectors.
“May Day is so expensive, it is imperative that we try and raise as much money on the day as possible.
“Traffic management is the biggest thing we have to pay for. We have to close a lot of roads including the A50. This will cost around £10,000.”
Marshalls must be aged 21 and over. No experience is required but volunteers will be fully briefed and receive a high vis and lanyard.
Excitement is mounting as families prepare to keep the town’s cherished tradition, dating back to 1864, alive.
Sisters Helen Dufton and Vicky Wragg, owners of Arthur Lee Interiors, the town’s oldest family business, always decorate their shop window on Toft Street to celebrate the occasion.
The stunning dress which will be worn by 2023 Royal May Day queen Amelia McGill-Anglin, 12, takes centre stage alongside the crown.
Manchester Airport has sponsored this year’s crown which has been made by jeweller Tara Kirkpatrick at her studio at Clarity on King Street.
Julie Walker, community engagement manager at Manchester Airport, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Knutsford Royal May Day this year.
“We take pride in being a good neighbour and supporting local communities and businesses, so we were keen to help ensure this treasured local tradition could continue in 2023.
“We will have a stand at the event and we are keen to meet as many of our neighbours in Knutsford as we can, so please come and say hello.”
This year’s festival is extra special for Helen and Vicky, whose great grandfather Arthur Lee opened their family business 103 years ago.
Helen said: “My daughter, Leonie, who is eight and a pupil at Egerton Primary School, is a maid of honour.
“I was maid of honour in 1986 so it is like history repeating itself.
“We have put Leonie’s dress in the window next to the May queen’s.”
The display has a double royal theme this year as Vicky has painted images of King Charles and Camilla on the facing window to celebrate the coronation.
Vicky said: “We love May Day. Everyone sees our window.
“We can’t remember how long we’ve been displaying the dress, it must be more than 40 years.”
Anyone wishing to help as a marshall or bucket collector can email Eileen at ee.podmore@ntlworld.com or contact Knutsford Royal May Day on Facebook.
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