May Day children having fun rekindles memories for Knutsford mayor

Cllr Peter Coan vividly remembers taking part in the procession twice as a mischievous young schoolboy.

And his own children followed in his footsteps joining the parade for many years as various characters.

Bumblebees Mik Bee and Nancy Bennett (Image: Newsquest)

Daughter Deborah rose up through the court ranks to become May Queen in 2002.

Pirates having fun at this year's May Day festival (Image: Newsquest)

Son, Andrew was chosen as several characters before he became a footguard.

Cllr Coan said: “It become a tradition within families.

Cowboys Oskar Parr, Magnus Blundell, Nathan Jeffrey and Henry Gol (Image: Newsquest)

“Every child who lives in Knutsford can take part.”

Damson sellers Cocoa Stemper Webster and Sophia Whiteley (Image: Newsquest)

As a playful five-year-old, he remembers being chastised for misbehaving.

Children love taking part (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Coan said: “The first time I was a pirate. I remember running into the crowds with our plastic shields and swords and being told off.

The Cranford Ladies (Image: Newsquest)

“The following year I was cowboy and we were firing plastic arrows and causing mayhem.”

Nannies with prams Florence Liggett, Cici Burch and Isla Selkirk (Image: Newsquest)

Nowadays, all 600 children are closely supervised as volunteers escort each group of characters.

Heidi McAleenan as Mary Mary Quite Contrary with other nursery rhyme characters (Image: Newsquest)

“My own children were in it all the way through,” said Cllr Coan.

Vikings roar as they set off (Image: Newsquest)

“They loved it.

Flower sellers (Image: Newsquest)

“Children have such a good time. It’s not parents pushing them to be in, they want to be in it.

Wounded soldiers and the Hussars (Image: Newsquest)

“It is great and gives the town civic pride.

Children of the world (Image: Newsquest)

“The whole town comes together.”

The mayor thanked the army of volunteers who work tirelessly all year long to plan the event in painstaking detail.

Some of the dancers who performed on The Heath (Image: Newsquest)

Soaring costs mean more financial support is needed than ever before to ensure it survives.

Cllr Coan said: “May Day costs increase year on year.

Jesters having fun (Image: Newsquest)

“The police used to do road closures for nothing but now we have to pay private organisations to do all the traffic management.

“All the May Day stuff has to be stored and refurbished.

Fish seller Polly Clarke (Image: Newsquest)

“All the costumes have to be cleaned and sometimes replaced.

“There is a massive amount of work.”

Children in the shoe (Image: Newsquest)

The historic pageant attracts visitors from miles around.

“I really appreciate people coming from out of town to watch it,” he said.

Strongmen flexing their muscles (Image: Newsquest)

“Also all the morris dancers, bands and dray lorries, it just makes the whole day special.

The Suffragettes (Image: Newsquest)

“It’s brilliant for retailers and all our cafes, pubs and restaurants.

“It’s a lovely, lovely event.”