The May Queen Festival is an annual event held in Slaidburn, on the Village Green by the banks of the

River Hodder, and in Slaidburn Village Hall.

​

The first May Queen Festival was held in 1931 and is steeped in tradition. 

It is an opportunity for each of the villages in the Hodder Valley, to take it in turn to select a May Queen

and their retinue from the primary school children.

​

2023 will be the turn of Lane Ends to crown their Queen!

​

We are delighted that Miss Jessica Bailey will be our 2023 May Queen and her train bearer will be Miss Amelia Gawthorpe

​

Our 2023 Crowner will be Mrs Barbara Simpson

​

Please come and join us for the service in St. Andrew's church, Slaidburn at 12.30pm

​

Followed by the procession through the village to the rousing tunes of Slaidburn Silver Band down to the Village Hall.

​

The crowning of the Queen takes place followed by the Maypole dancing. Our thanks, once again, go to Mrs Eileen Lewis for all the practicing that the girls have been doing.

​

The football competition follows the Maypole dancing with 2 teams entered this year - one from Brennand's Endowed Primary School and one from Thorneyholme Primary School.

​

Next are the races, which are open to everyone, with prize money for the winners, followed by the very messy egg-catching competition

​

Please don't forget to go into the village hall where refreshments will be available after the crowning. There is also a wonderful display by Slaidburn Archive of the history of the May Queen

​

This year's competitions are to create an Orb in any medium and to also design a card for the King Charles III Coronation

Both of these classes are being very kindly judged by Sir Thomas and Lady Woodcock

​

The May Queen Committee would like to thank all the many people whose fantastic help and wonderful donations of  delicious cakes that make the day such a success.

​