May Day Dancers Continue Centuries Old Tradition To Welcome the Summer

Published on: 3 May, 2026
Updated on: 3 May, 2026

The Maypole being carried to Castle Green. Image and video from Ben Darnton

The annual May Day celebration of the coming of summer was held again yesterday (Saurturday, May 2) in Guildford. Pilgrim Morris dancers hosted traditional friends for the Summerpole to be raised on the Castle Green.

On a suitably sunny day, “sides” (as Morris dancing teams are called) from the Fleur De Lys Morris, Godalming, Taylor’s Morris, Loughborough, Mayflower Morris, Billericay and Farnham’s Jackstraw Morris all joined the procession from the bottom of the High Street.

The dancers performed to enthusiastic shoppers outside Abbot’s Hospital and Holy Trinity before processing through Tunsgate to the Castle Green.

Pilgrim Morris dancers have been meeting and dancing for over fifty years.

The huge Summerpole, carried on the shoulders of the dancers, was led up to the castle by the May King and Queen. All sorts of traditional characters flitted in and out in the procession such as the Swordbearer and the May Bush.

Their intention is to entertain the people coming out of the long winter months but occasionally we are told, you can get a nasty nip from the pantomime-like zebra if you get in his way.

The Pilgrim Morris dancers are continuing a long tradition which was started more than 400 years ago in 1611, when James I was on the throne. There are even earlier roots to the celebration from Roman times.

The Pilgrim Morris are looking for new members. For more information, email to bagman@pilgrimmorris or see their website here.