The two villages of Church Lawford and Kings Newnham staged a May Parade for many years. The Rugby Advertiser from 29th May 1925 reports on that year’s event.
A Pretty May Festival
On Friday the school children celebrated their May Day. The weather, contrary to late years, was all that could be desired. The scholars assembled at the School at 9.45 and at 10.15 the ceremony of crowning the Queen took place in the playground, where a crowd of people had gathered. This was admirably carried out and reflects great credit both upon the children and their teachers. The Queen chosen this year was Hilda Barnes, who was daintily attired in a dress of crepe silk and carried a bouquet of choice flowers.
Her maids of honour were Florrie and Ethel Smith, Joan Thorn, and Winnie Coles, who looked very pretty in white dresses with gold gauze caps. They carried gold baskets filled with white and pink flowers. The rest of the senior girls wore white net caps and the younger ones rosettes of flowers. Maud Wells, a dainty golden-haired little girl, dressed as a fairy, with Eddie Howell as a train-bearer, announced the Queen’s arrival and the children sang a song of welcome. Florrie Smith crowned her and then sang a suitable song in a very sweet voice, after which the Queen replied to her subjects. Some of the children gave a garland dance, after which the Queen and the whole procession passed under the flower garlands.
The Queen then mounted her pony, which was led by Jessie Barnes (sister), who was also dressed in white and carried a bouquet, and the procession paraded the villages of Church Lawford and Kings Newnham, halting occasionally for the children to sing their songs. In the afternoon a number of local ladies were entertained to tea in the Schoolroom by Miss Craven and the teachers, after which they served tea to the children.
At 6 o’clock the ceremony of crowning the Queen was repeated before a much larger audience than that of the morning. Many strangers were present, and at the finish their appreciation was shown by loud applause. The children then played games in a field kindly lent by Mr. R. Woodford until about 8 o’clock, when each child received a cake and a bun and returned home. The amount collected was much more than in previous years and when expenses are paid the surplus will be used by Miss Craven (headmistress) in the children’s interests.
Other such festivals are reported on over the years – perhaps the earliest record is from the 1900 event, at a time when Queen Victoria was still on the throne. The Rugby Advertiser of 5th May 1900 records that event.
At this stage of the century the May Queen was chosen from those who had just started school – so she was typically between 4 and 6 years old. The Rugby Advertiser recorded the 1903 event on 9th May of that year.
The Rugby Advertiser also recorded the 1906 parade in the edition of 5th May 1906..
