THE CLATTER of hooves will sound again in the town when Malvern hosts its annual May Day Donkey Procession this weekend.
Donkeys from across the three counties decorated with floral garlands will be joined by adults and children in folk-lore inspired costumes for the event on Sunday (May 3).
The procession, which is being held in aid of Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land, will go around the town centre while singing traditional May Day songs and visiting the main springs and spouts.
The donkeys will gather at the Priory Gatehouse at 10.30am where visitors will be able to meet them before the procession starts with a Blessing of the Donkeys at 11am. The celebrations will then travel to the main spouts in the town centre, reaching St Ann’s Well about 12.30pm.
There will then be a break for a special Water Cure Lunch laid on by St Ann’s Well cafés proprietor John Redman before festivities resume at 2pm with the main Blessing of the Waters ceremony.
Visitors will also be able to float a candle in St Ann’s Well Pool in memory of loved ones and there will be a blessing of people and pets.
Some children will then perform a ballet of May Day on the Malvern Hills inspired by The Vision of Piers Plowman.
This year, those who are unable to manage the steep walk up to St Ann’s Well will be able to use the mini bus service to take them there. The mini bus will leave The Unicorn Car Park at 12.15pm and 12.45pm returning from the Knoll at 3.25pm and 3.50pm.
For more information e-mail [email protected] or call Rev Val Needham on 07788 111113.
