Dancing through the streets of Lewes for annual Garland Day

The day will start off at 10am with a children’s garland competition in the Gun Garden at Lewes Castle, with last entries at 10.30am.

From there, a procession will make its way down the High Street, coming to an end in Cliffe Precinct with further dancing in the afternoon from The Knots of May, Long Man Morris and Blackpowder Morris.

The historic tradition was started in 1874 by the then mayor of Lewes Mr JF Verrall and was revived by the Knots of May in 1980.

The local dance group organise the traditional Garland Ceremony each May Day Bank Holiday Monday in Lewes town centre.

They take their name from the old tradition of gathering knots or garlands of flowers to mark the arrival of spring.

The annual competition is for all local children to see who can make the prettiest floral garland.

It is traditionally judged by the Mayor at the Castle, followed by a procession with the Knots of May and guest Morris dancers to Cliffe High Street, where the prizes are given at 11.15am.

The High Street will be closed to traffic while the procession takes place during the morning.

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