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Traditional festival marks coming of summer

Christine Butlerand
Chloe Parkman,South West
News imageBBC A small white carriage decorated with flowers and flags is being driven through the streets as part of the procession. The back of the vehicle says 'Black Prince Flower Boat May Queens and Kings Rame Peninsula'. People in the procession are walking in front of the vehicle. Houses are in the distance.BBC
The tradition of The Black Prince Flower Boat Festival was revived 40 years ago

A tradition to mark the coming of summer has taken place in Cornwall.

The Black Prince Flower Boat Festival was held on the Rame Pensinsula earlier, weaving through Millbrook, Kingsand and Cawsand. The tradition goes long back in time, but died out for a period until it was revived 40 years ago.

Jan Gendall, who helped bring it back, said: "The festival's changed very, very greatly because it was originally raunchy, masculine, somewhat drunken and now it's very civilised."

Faye and Tallulah were selected as May Queens for this year's event. Tallulah said: "I find it a really special day because out of about 20 people, me and Faye got chosen to do this."

News imageA woman wearing a white dress and red neck scarf is standing next to a wooden boat structure. She is wearing a hat and glasses and is looking toward the camera. A road with trees and a stone wall are in the background behind her.
Jan Gendall helped to revive the tradition
News imagePeople are dressed up as they walk along the road in the procession. HMS Raleigh members are walking along in uniform, carrying the boat structure. A Saint George's Cross flag is draped on a stone wall.
Naval ratings from HMS Raleigh carried the Black Prince in front of the procession

Naval ratings from HMS Raleigh held the honour of carrying the Black Prince in front of the procession through the town.

HMS Raleigh's Sharon Blake helped carry the structure. She said: "It's very good to be out of Raleigh, seeing different cultures."

Michael Dwamea, also from HMS Raleigh, added: "We're here to have fun and we're here to celebrate the festival as well."

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