Early visits in the late nineteen-sixties and into the seventies saw us bringing a coach-load to Knutsford. We had a very large team then, plus family members and a number of other Leyland folk, who remembered the old Leyland May Festival or had taken part in it themselves. The coach used to park on a patch of rough ground now occupied by part of Booth’s car park. At that time Knutsford Royal May Day coincided with the FA Cup Final and the sound of early mobile radios dominated our homeward journey!

Knutsford has changed over the years, what with new buildings, re-building and renovations. I also recall the farm which stood on King Edward Road, near its junction with Bexton Road.

Heavy horses to pull some of the conveyances in the procession were hired from Liverpool Corporation, and the start of the procession could be an anxious time for the organizers, who were dependant upon their prompt arrival.

The Knutsford & Crosstown Band played for us on our first visit but thereafter we brought our own group of musicians. Our progress around the town was always punctuated by eager ladies of the organizing committee, who would startle us by leaping out of the crowd and urging us to, “Keep up! Keep up! Don’t leave a gap.” There’s no doubt that we’ve always been given a marvellous reception by the huge crowds thronging the procession route, especially outside the pubs along King Street! There’s always good-natured banter, a sharing of drinks and lots of friendly ‘joshing’ – something we love.

The leaders of visiting Morris teams develop the ‘Knutsford Syndrome,’ you know! The first Saturday in May is quite early in the year for an outdoor event and at about ten minutes to two you’ll notice them scanning the sky: it isn’t unknown for a big black cloud to suddenly obscure the sun! On only one occasion have we not even begun the procession and that was on account of torrential rain. However in 1982 – come 1:50pm – the expected cloud produced hail and sleet. Fortunately, it quickly cleared away but the temperature had dropped alarmingly and we danced in our waistcoats because it was so cold – something we would not normally do. Photos taken that year show the roadway gleaming like a black mirror!

For many years we would finish off our day at Knutsford by visiting Bexton Court and putting on a show of music, dance and song for the residents. By doing this we actually met two men who’d danced with the Over Peover team long ago – Ted Stayley being one of them. Yet another of that team was John Peel Jackson, who lived opposite The Heath on Manchester Road.

What else do we recall? The number of other Morris teams who’ve shared the May Day experience with us; the ladies aerobics group which commanded attention for a number of years, ‘doing their thing’ as a preamble to the procession; seeing the local children stepping out of their homes, dressed in their costumes and heading for the assembly point; the improvement of The Heath and the increase of attractions there for families, and our adoption of the Methodist Church as our rallying point. It’s very convenient for Marshall’s Yard; we’re always made most welcome and the refreshments are excellent.

[i]Written by Roy Smith – Leyland Morris Men team Archivist.[/[b]i][/b]