Celebrating the Hodder Valley villages of Slaidburn, Newton-In-Bowland, Dunsop Bridge, Tosside and Lane Ends.
Set within the Forest of Bowland (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Lancashire, UK.
The May Queen Festival is an annual event held in Slaidburn, on the Village Green by the banks of the
River Hodder, and in the Slaidburn Village Hall.
The first May Queen Festval 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.
The May Queen Festival starts with a church service at St. Andrew's Church, Slaidburn (BB7 3ER).
Followed by a procession through the village (led the Slaidburn Silver Band), May Queen crowning,
maypole dancing, football tournament and finally old-fashioned children's and adults races on the green.
Free parking in the Slaidburn public car park. Refreshments will be also be available from the Slaidburn Village Hall
and other village establishments.
This year's turn is Slaidburn!
This Year's May Queen is Freya Robinson from Slaidburn.
Train Bearer is Emily Pinder
Crown Bearer is Charlie Guest
Sword Bearer is Louis Guest
Retinue are Lily Cowking, Lauren Lowther, Grace Ridgway and Lily Simpson
The Retiring May Queen is Jessica Bailey from Lane Ends
Train Bearer is Amelia Gawthorpe
The May Queen will be crowned by Mrs Ella Robinson
SUNDAY 19th MAY 2024
EXPLORE
THE FESTIVAL
Festival Location
The May Queen Festival is a family friendly event that celebrates the many villages within the Hodder Valley.
These villages include Slaidburn, Newton-In-Bowland, Easington, Dunsop Bridge, Tosside and Lane Ends.
The festival starts at St. Andrew's Church, Slaidburn (Church Street, BB7 3ER) at 12.30 pm. The new and retiring May Queens and their retinues, then follow the Slaidburn Silver Band along the streets of Slaidburn. During the procession we visit Rock House as the Squire of the village, Anthea and Kerry Hodson, hand out a monetary gift to the children living or going to the local schools in the Hodder Valley.. After that, the procession heads down to Slaidburn Village Hall and Green (Chapel Street, BB7 3ES) for the May Queen crowning (inside Church if it is raining at 1.15 pm), entertainment, refreshments, games and competitions.