Every year, Brighton Morris Men and Cuckoo's Nest Morris welcome May Day's dawn with a dance at Hollingbury Hillfort. The celebrations start the night before, with dances at the Sir Charles Napier in Southover Street, and continue throughout May Day morning.
I'd heard about the event from The Daily Whale but this was the first year I've attended. I met John at 4am and headed up to Hollingbury. I've not been to the fort before - trying to find it in the dark, convinced we could hear music from somewhere, was strange. A camera flash gave away the location and we joined the small group of spectators.
Morris dancing on wet grass on a slope (and after a night drinking) can't be the easiest thing in the world. The dawn was far from spectacular, but the atmosphere was great. A lovely view of Brighton's lights below, music, dancing and even MayDay Cake. A procession circles the fort at sunrise after which we had to leave. As was walked away we could hear singing in the distance behind us.
It was a lovely start to May and I'll be there again next year.
Wow! I should've stayed with you this week :=) I need more crazy English traditions to write about ...
Posted by: lou | May 01, 2012 at 11:04 AM