Here's another video of the Knots of May dancing a little later that day at the John Harvey Tavern. You hear more of the serpent (Derrick Hughes of the Twagger Band) and also some inventive fiddle playing from Peter Lyons. The Knots will be at Chippenham Festival this year.

The Knots must be one of the most watchable sides in the country and they are on top form at the moment. About thirty years ago they revived the custom of Lewes Garland Day, when children would make garlands of flowers and take them from door to door asking for money with a little rhyme. These days the children make garlands which are judged by civic dignitaries in the Gun Garden of the castle; the children and the Knots then process down School Hill to the town square and a couple of pubs for more dancing. The garlands are usually made by their parents; I'm relieved not to have to get out the secateurs at sparrow-fart that morning now my children are grown up, but it was fun at the time.

There is an English tunes session on the first Tuesday evening of the month at the John Harvey Tavern, opposite Harveys Brewery in Bear Yard.

Valmai (Lewes)