Maypoles motorbikes and dancing the sun up

There were a number of colourful events taking place over the May bank holiday weekend.
Dancing up the sun SUS-160305-120535001Dancing up the sun SUS-160305-120535001
Dancing up the sun SUS-160305-120535001

May Queen crowning and Maypole dancing took place at both Hastings and Bexhill - keeping a Victorian custom alive, while Monday saw the annual influx of hundreds of bikers creating a colourful spectacle along Hastings seafront after arriving in the area for their May Day Run.

Local Morris dance sides were up with the lark on Sunday May 1 to dance up the sun at the Ladies parlour on the West Hill.

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Kevin Boorman, from Hastings Council, was there to record the event and said: “Over 300 people watched local Morris sides Mad Jack’s, Mad Jack’s Ladies and Hannah’s Cat, joined by Clausentum from Southampton, dancing from 5am.

Bexhill May 2 SUS-160305-120227001Bexhill May 2 SUS-160305-120227001
Bexhill May 2 SUS-160305-120227001

“It was one of the biggest May Day morning gatherings in Hastings for some years, helped by the good weather. The clear sky provided a great view as the sun rose over Hastings Old Town, and the audience were then invited to join in a final dance around Ladies Parlour.”

Later on Sunday, Alice Quinnell was crowned May Queen at a ceremony in Alexandra Park, as part of the Jack in the Green festivities. The event included Maypole dancing, a garland competition, a procession and children’s entertainment.

Bexhill Old Town Preservation Society hosted a family fun day on the bank holiday Monday at Barrack Hall Park. Attractions included Maypole dancing, Furry Friends, children’s games, a carousel, a gyroscope, climbing wall and old favourite tunes at lunchtime from the Hooe Village Band.

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Pictures of the bikes and Hastings May Queen by Frank Copper.

Bexhill May 1 SUS-160305-120214001Bexhill May 1 SUS-160305-120214001
Bexhill May 1 SUS-160305-120214001

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May Day Bike Run, Hastings. Photo by Frank Copper. SUS-160305-062933001May Day Bike Run, Hastings. Photo by Frank Copper. SUS-160305-062933001
May Day Bike Run, Hastings. Photo by Frank Copper. SUS-160305-062933001

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