The merry month of May

There’s good reason why May is the only month to hold two standalone bank holidays – summer is a’coming! The long weekends are gifts: souvenirs of warming days and clement nights.  

What’s the most gratifying thing of double time-out a few weeks apart? The breathing space. And freedom.

May Day (the Early May Bank Holiday) has ancient origins and marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and summer solstice.  Padstow celebrates the 1^st May with its ‘Obby ‘Oss and has a great atmosphere both the evening before and the day after. Accompanying both the Blue and Red ‘Osses through the streets are each colour’s musicians – the beat of drums and accordions’ tune is unique, ancient and undeniably compelling. We challenge anyone to resist getting a jig-on.

A day trip Down West to Helston’s Flora Day (8^th May) reveals the somewhat more genteel Furry Dance. Shop windows are dressed with Lily of the Valley and bluebells (again). Participants need to be born in the parish (also again) and are invited on rotation to dance. Long lines of couples in morning suits and fine frocks dance the streets, to another age-old tune: this time played out by Helston Town Band.

The middle of May is quieter and a period we’d highly recommend. Glorious days out and fabulous dining with attentive service. We suggest T-shirts as a base layer – picnics in sun traps are order of the day. As National Walking Month, May really does inspire outdoorsiness. Simple strolls to coastal hikes and everything inbetween: the random greetings from passers-by or amazing cafes will live on in the memory. 

At the end of the month, the Spring Bank Holiday now has a regular date (having originated as the Whitsun weekend) and coincides with May half term. With the meteorological summer starting on 1^st June this is a real getaway bonus for families.

Be it a mini-break or a week (or two) away: May is certainly the month to make merry. Summer is inward bound and August’s bank holiday feels a long way off.

May happenings

All month         National Walking Month

1^st                           Obby Oss                                                                       Padstow

3^rd                          Opening evening (pizza night)                      Tipi Kitchen café (Cornish Tipis)                          

5^th                           BH Sunday cider, live music & barbq         Haywood Farm Cider, from 2pm

8^th                           Flora Dance                                                                 Helston

10^th                         Camhayle Theatre Group (comedy)           St Teath Church Hall, 7.30pm                            

10^th                        Evening car meet                                                      Hilltop Farm Shop

11^th                        Spindle Ensemble                                                      St Endellion Church 7.30pm

12^th                         The Great Cornish Market                                   Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge

17^th                        Quiz Night                                                                      St Kew Parish Hall, 7 for 7.30pm

19^th                        Tretawn Farmers Market                                       Tretawn Farm, St Kew Highway

31^st                         Ashley Harding/2nd Hand Country Band        Boscastle Farm Shop knees-up                           

31^st                         Scratchworks Theatre Co 'Grim Sisters'              St Endellion Hall, 11am & 2pm                          

Follow @tomscottagecornwall (fb & Insta) for more local events as they materialise.