Laura Reynolds
Friday Photos: Maypoles And Morris Dancing
A maypole dance in Richmond Park, performed for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during the Diamond Jubilee tour. Photo: Michael Garnett (2012)
Maypole dancing at the Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival at Guildhall. Photo: Zefrographica (2013)
St George's Day celebrations at Borough Market. Photo: Andrew Smith (2014)
Mayday protests. Photo: Norman Craig (2010)
St George's Day celebrations at Borough Market. Photo: Mc Gale (2014)
Ever tried maypole dancing on the tube? Photo: Andy Teo (2011)
Deptford Jack in the Green is another May Day tradition: mdx (2010)
Demonstrators from Hastings group "Hands off our Heritage" in London to protest against the proposed moving of the traditional May Day holiday to the autumn. Photo: Judy (2011)
The Hastings "Hands off our Heritage" group again. Photo: Judy (2011)
Morris dancers at the Feast of St George in Trafalgar Square. Photo: Dave Pearce (2014)
Blackheath Morris Dancers end of season tour, in front of the Cutty Sark. Photo: Steve (2012)
The Morris Liberation Front performed at various sites along the Against The Cuts march route, including in Trafalgar Square. Photo: Geoff Holland (2011)
Today's May Day, a spring celebration which usually involves jigging about in various forms, including maypole and morris dancing. Various other local traditions have emerged over the years, including the Deptford Jack . Not all of these photos were taken on May Day, but they do all involve some English celebratory traditions.
Take a look at the festivals and fairs going on across London this weekend .
With thanks to the following photographers for use of their images via the Londonist Flickr pool: Andrew Smith , Andy Teo , Dave Pearce , Geoff Holland , Judy (and again ), Mc Gale , mdx , Michael Garnett , Norman Craig , Steve , Zefrographica ,
Take a look at our past London photo galleries .