May Day

[Anjali]

This may seem like an odd question but seeing as I am not British I was hoping those of you who are could help me with something that I am doing for a class on Wednesday. We are watching "The Wicker Man," and my professor wants me to put together a little thing on May Day rites. Is it still celebrated over there? If so, in what form and could anyone direct me anywhere to do quick research on how it is celebrated in the modern day?

Thanks for any (serious) help as this is for a graduate seminar.

 

[naddyz]

maypole dancing, garden fetes etc?


here in Oxford everyone stays up all night and then at dawn goes to Magdalen Bridge where as the sun rises the Magdalen College Choir sings as the sun rises. Invariably some idiots jump off the bridge into the river and get seriously injured every year...

then you go for a champagne breakfast and quite often a tutorial having not slept, nor done the essay...

 

[Sez]

I love May morning! There's something to be said for drinking a pint at 6 in the morning! I only usually go when it falls on the weekend, any excuse for an all dayer!!!

 

[djchewie]

alas....

 

[Mark Sun]

Also large groups of youths dress in festive bandanas and throw garlands at Nike and Macdonalds store windows. Did I say garlands? I meant bricks.

 

[axon]

here in Oxford everyone stays up all night and then at dawn goes to Magdalen Bridge where as the sun rises the Magdalen College Choir

At St Andrews they have a tradition called the May Dip which involves hundreds of students jumping into the north sea in front of the castle just before sunrise. Thankfully all St Andrews students have thick red gowns which are great for warming purposes, although I don't think I've ever been so cold in my entire life!

By the way, the Wicker Man (original version) is one of my all-time favourite films. 8)

 

[Anjali]

Hmm...so I am too say that it is excuse for people to drink and jump off cliffs nowadays? Not unlike any other holiday here or across the pond. Any neo-pagan witchcraft stuff that happens? Any Christians being burned in a big Wicker Man? Is that a tradition? Sorry...I can't find any good information on its common usage. HELP!