Knutsford Royal May Day Carnival (1904)

The May Queen and Morris men celebrate May Day in Edwardian Cheshire.

The Knutsford May Day celebrations go back to 1864 and the event earned its 'Royal' title in 1887 thanks to a visit from the Prince and Princess of Wales. This film was shot on May 1 1904 and shown two days later at Manchester's St James' Hall, an important venue for the exhibition of early film. The same programme included scenes of the Cup Final, the Russo-Japanese War and Life in Canada.