Detail of Maypole Dancers and May Queen As Her Retinue Process to Take Up Their Places Beside Her For Her Crowning at the Annual Mayfair Celebration;
Great Torrington, known locally as Torrington, is a sleepy North Devon, market town. It is a setting at the heart of Henry Williamson's 'Tarka the Otter' and John Insull's children's' novel 'Flow'. The most famous folk festival here is 'Mayfair', held on the first Thursday in May. The town's children are at the centre of the day’s activities, with a May Queen being elected by pupils of the Junior School. The highlight is the famous crowning of the May Queen, maypole dancing and other children's events. A celebration Carnival follows on the Saturday evening. From a historical perspective, it was at the heart of a significant battle during the English Civil War. The Royalist stronghold of Torrington was held by Lord Hopton's army. Sir Thomas Fairfax's Parliamentarian forces marched here into battle and to victory at the Battle of Torrington in 1646. This marked the end of Royalist resistance in the West of England. Great Torrington is also the home of Dartington Glass and more recently the RHS with Rosemoor gardens attracting many visitors.
Size: 6000px × 4000px
Location: Great Torrington, Devon, UK.
Photo credit: © John Insull / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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