Medieval May Market

The photos are of the first May Market. They are published by kind permission of Castle Donington Museum copyright Mr W.E.M. Arundel.

Castle Donington’s Annual Mediaeval May Market being held on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May 2005 is set to take on some dramatic changes in order to make it better than ever before! Discussions about the Mediaeval May Market commenced late last year when a proposal NOT to continue holding the traditional festival was suggested after a number of Castle Donington residents complained about the demise of the quality of the market over the past few years. However, Castle Donington Parish Council decided that it was worth an attempt to re-vitalise the Mediaeval May Market before such a drastic decision should be taken, as it would be very upsetting to see the closure of such a well-known and popular tradition. After an open meeting at the Parish Council Offices a working party was appointed made up of Parish Council members and Castle Donington residents who have taken the lead in making the Mediaeval May Market 2005 the most successful seen in many years!

One major feature of the 2005 Mediaeval May Market will be that it will focus on the Mediaeval heritage of the Market, with the village being decorated with mediaeval banners and flags as well as hoping for many attractions such as mediaeval minstrels, jesters, mediaeval based drama performances, hog roasts & hot potato stands, archery demonstrations, May Pole dancers, Black Pig Morris Dancers, arts and crafts stalls and traditional fairground rides, with the all important Town Crier introducing the Castle Donington Mediaeval May Queen 2005. There is going to be an emphasis on stall holders and residents to dress in Mediaeval attire and to make it easier people will be able to book and hire Mediaeval costumes from the Parish Council Offices a few weeks leading up to the event as well as at the Mediaeval May Market itself. Leader of the Committee and Chairman of the Parish Council Amenities Committee, Colin Burton told the NuNews “The Parish Council are backing the 2005 Mediaeval May Market one hundred percent and are aiming to make this year one to remember! Unfortunately interest has been decreasing over the past few years and so we are hoping that the formation of the working party and all the hard work they have done will ensure the continued future of the cherished event, but we also need all the support of the local community and businesses alike.”

Stalls at the Mediaeval May Market are available for local groups, individuals and businesses and the working party is especially looking for local crafts people who wish to display and sell their goods. They are also looking for 3 girls aged 13–18 to take the honour of becoming the 2005 Mediaeval May Queen and her 2 attendants for the parish of Castle Donington. The potential May Queen and her attendants must reside within the border of the parish and take on a number of duties including the opening ceremony of the Mediaeval May Market.
If you would like further information about booking a stall, nominating a May Queen, an attendant or for general information or to offer your help or services for the Mediaeval May Market then please contact Castle Donington Parish Council on 01332 810432 or email clerk@cdpc.org.uk

For Application Form for Stall click below

Photos for May Day 2005

Medieval May Market 2006