Costermongers’ Harvest Festival

At the invitation of the Costermongers I joined Pearly Kings and Queens and other members of traditional London community to celebrate harvest festival. Celebrations took place in the Guildhall Yard. They included a May Queen and maypole, Morris dancers and drummers. It was a rare sight to see Mayors and Lord Mayors dancing around the Maypole fully robed! 

It was interesting to speak to the Pearly Kings, Queens, Princesses and Princes and Consorts and learn about their traditions, how they are appointed and their charitable work. There was traditional dancing and traditional “knees-up” type singing in the square, followed by a procession to a  traditional harvest festival service in St Mary le Bow church in Cheapside (home of the famous Bow bells).”After the service, we all trooped down to a public house for a buffet supper.