VILLAGES in South Gloucestershire are making the final preparations to May Day celebrations on Bank Holiday Monday.

Iron Acton is holding its annula May Day on the Green on Monday, May 5 (10.30am-4pm).

The village green will be transformed into a traditional fete ground complete with May pole, an arena for performances and an array of stalls and side shows.

The day itself will start at 10.30am with the formal opening after the May Queen, King and their attendants have travelled from The Lamb to the green.

Activities and displays in the arena will include Maypole dancing from Iron Acton School, country dancing by North Road Primary School pupils, a dog obedience display and dancing from Kathryn Hurley’s School of Dance.

Organiser Heather Tillotson said: “We're ready for another brilliant May Day on the green., let’s hope the sun shines.

“Like previous years, our aim is to have a well balanced day of events with charity run stalls that don’t cost the earth, have a go activities and entertaining ring events.”

The event has had to be cancelled in the past because of bad weather but on a sunny year can attract thousands of people.

Meanwhile, in Winterbourne Down the whole weekend will be given over to marking May Day.

The carnival weekend, which this year takes on the theme of children’s books, kicks off on Saturday evening (7.30pm) with a family barn dance and barbecue at All Saints’ Church Hall in Winterbourne Down. Tickets are now on sale, call Fred Smith on 01454 772072 or Sue Cessford on 01454 777881.

A village treasure hunt then takes place on Sunday (2pm) starting from Winterbourne Down Methodist Church Hall.  Refreshments will be on sale in the church hall and entertainment will be provided by the Westerly Showband. 

It will be followed at 6pm by Songs of Praise in the Methodist Church with entertainment provided by the Crossbow Singers. 

Then on Monday carnival day begins with a procession leaving Bradley Avenue at 10.15am to the Methodist Church grounds.  A craft and charity street fair will be held in Down Road and Camp View and activities are being planned for the whole.

Nine-year-old carnival Queen Charlotte Anstey will preside over the weekend’s celebrations which take place from Saturday, May 3 until Bank Holiday Monday, May 5.

Charlotte, a pupil at Hambrook Primary School, will be escorted by attendants Madeleine Allchorne,7, and Evie Allchorne,5, both pupils at Elm Park Primary School in Winterbourne.

Sue Cessford, from the organising committee, said: “Please come along and enjoy the weekend and don’t forget to invite your friends.”