This Monday was Penrith May Day and what a lovely day it was.
A day full of fun, play, creativity, and community. There was communal music-and art-making, outdoor play, shared food, fairground rides, lively performances, a fantastic parade with the Green Man, doves, and the four ‘guardians of planet earth’ (amazing creations from John Parkinson and Upfront Puppet Theatre), vintage vehicles, charity stalls talking about their work…..
I was really impressed by the variety of ways people were involved and how there was something for all ages to enjoy. So lovely to have the town centre full of smiles and conversations.
Crowds and noise can feel overwhelming for many and I was pleased to talk with people managing to have a lovely day by working out what they could enjoy without feeling overwhelmed – finding quiet spaces around town, like under the trees in St Andrews churchyard, to take a little break, or wearing headphones to help with the noise.
The whole day was a great reminder of the importance of creativity and connection for our community’s well-being. It reminds me of the role of celebration and ritual, to punctuate our days and years, bringing people together and creating shared memories, as well as the need we all have for moments of playfulness and novelty.
