Other events happen in May which are not ‘May’ customs as such. The Cyclists’ Memorial Service in Meridan provides the diverting spectacle of hundreds of bodies in lycra, many clutching wreathes constructed from flowers and old bicycle wheels, to be placed on the Cyclists’ Memorial on the village green. Meridan claims to be the centre of England and the congregation cycles there from all over the country. To a committed cyclist a hundred miles is but an easy spin...
St Mary’s in Ripple, Worcestershire, has fine 15th century misericords in the choir stalls depicting agricultural, domestic and working practices throughout the months. In May St Mary herself is ‘Blessing the Crops at Rogationtide’.
