The biggest day in our village's calendar was glorious. Such a change from last year which was cold and wet. It is a lovely quintessential English affair with a May king and queen, maypole dancing, bowling for a 'pig', morris dancing, and much of the local brew being downed at the village pub. The funds raised all go towards local projects, which in a village of only 300 residents badly need financial help. On a sunny day people come from far and wide for the event.
The morning was busy for all of us with people meeting at ten to get everything set up. I stayed at home to paint a sign board for our 'guess the weight of the donkey' stall, get the donks spruced up and put a few finishing touches to the pieces I was displaying in the art exhibition.
We just about got everything sorted in time before doing our mobile freak show act where Graham, Angus and I led two donks and two goats through the gathering crowds to our stall.
I felt quite guilty leaving the two old donks behind, and they made their disgust at the situation very apparent with their furious 'eeyoring' that could be heard throughout the village at frequent intervals during the afternoon.
Fortunately, not only the weather was better behaved this year, because I am relieved to be able to report that Jack and Lilly didn't re-enact last year's impromptu donkey-based sex education lessons. Lots of people tried to guess Lilly's weight and the lucky winner won a donkey of their very own. Luckily for them this was of the cuddly, no mucking out required variety.
Our art group only decided to put on our first ever exhibition about a week ago, so the past week has mainly consisted of mounting and framing our work. A couple of people who make crafty things and someone who does picture framing also displayed and sold their wares alongside the exhibition and I was asked if I would show some of my photos. I would have been much happier showing my stuff off for the first time (365 excepted) if it had been in a more anonymous situation, but I braced myself and agreed to do it.
I ended up selling twelve framed photos and one painting and receiving lots of positive feedback from people - unbelievable! I am so excited and thrilled. In fact, quite a few of the art group's pieces were sold which gave us all a real boost. The whole day was a big success and takings were well up on the last few years' figures.
Lovely shot. I went out to get something similar but missed it. No buses here on Bank holidays, and trains not running due to work on the tracks .... so thank you for sharing your lovely maypole shot!
This is a lovely composition and I like the pretty dresses the girls are wearing. I went to a May Day event at a nearby village - Ickwell but couldn't really get close enough to get pics without a load of heads in the way! It's nice and not surprising that you sold some of your photos. Well done
This is a lovely May Day scene, pretty little dresses and glorious sun. Well done you for selling some of your work, could this be the way forward? Love the image of the donks getting amorous in front of surprised crowds!!,
Oh to be in England.... Great job with the photos - and non-amorous donks. When I looked at your photo I couldn't help think that my daughter would definitely be in boy clothes for Maypole dancing - I often thought I should have had a third to get a proper girl....
Ah, such a charming celebration. Here in Los Angeles, May Day is typically marked by protesters causing a headache by causing traffic jams as they gather and march throughout the city.
May 31st, 2013
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
It's really not that unbelievable at all that lots of people bought your pics but nice one anyway.