2019

This year's Crowning Ceremony took place on Saturday 4th May, where Amelie Brooks was crowned as the 97th Chislehurst May Queen, accompanied by her prince Chloe Jones.

We were also delighted to be joined by Valerie Rose, the granddaughter of Ages Everist, the founder of the Chislehurst May Queen Society.

We were faced with some of our most challenging weather conditions in recent years, with chilling northerly winds and occasional hail showers in the morning, testing our gazebos and flagpole to the limit.

The Parade, led by the Surrey and Sussex Drum and Bugle Corps band, gathered at Red Hill School and commenced the parade in sunshine - which unfortunately gave way mid-parade to squally showers, necessitating some speedy umbrella unfurling by the retinue.

Fortunately, the skies cleared again when we reached the common, and a sizeable crowd emerged from their cover to watch the ceremony. Following a closely fought fancy dress contest, in which a Dragon was triumphant, our local MP, Bob Neill, and longstanding President Vera Quinn, presented medals to the Queen and Prince.

Overseen by last year’s Prince and Queen, a comparatively young retinue then did a fantastic job in demonstrating the four traditional May Queen dances. We then then treated to additional dancing by Quick-Steps Dance School and All The Arts Drama School, before unfortunately the heavens opened once more and the retinue and band beat a hasty retreat to the Chislehurst Methodist Church for a warming high tea.

For more photos from the day, please click on this link.

Thanks to all those who assisted in this years ceremony, including the members of local cub scout troupes that stepped in at late notice to provide the guard of honour and secure the May Pole during the dances.

If you have any memories or photos of the Chislehurst May Queen from this year that you would like to share please contact us.