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Traditional Midnight Singing with the Obby Oss Choir, the town reverberating to the call to all Padstonians 'Unite and Unite and let us all Unite' The 1st of May sees Padstow decorated with the first greenery of the year, bluebells, cowslips,forget-me-nots, the catkins of hazel and sycamore twigs heavy with the first leaves of Spring , and the procession of the Padstow Obby Oss, teaser and the dancers, singers and the unique 'May Song' , and musicians playing a hypnotic tune. Accordians, drums, triangles. The followers dressed in white with red or blue sashes coming before the Oss , all to celebrate the coming of Spring. Celebrations begin early morning with the stable doors opening to let the Oss appear onto the narrow streets firstly around the harbour crowded with thousands of onlookers. then up the narrow lanes goes the procession of the Obby Oss Clan even into gardens and houses. Festivities go on all day and into the evening. There is even a Childrens Oss The Padstow Obby Oss is one of the oldest surviving customs in the Country, and is believed to be a ancient fertility rite marking the coming of Summer. May Day 'Day Song' Unite and unite let us all unite, For summer is acome unto day, And whither we are going we will all unite, In the merry morning of May. |