A SPECIAL highlight of this year’s festival was the presence of May Queens and Crown Bearers of years gone by.

Past May Queens and Crown Bearers took pride of place on the Grandstand to witness Saturday’s crowning ceremony.

The oldest Queen in attendance was Joan Platt, who was crowned in 1935, and May Queen of 1938, Gwynneth Harrop, was sat close by.

The May Queen of 1949 Monica Drinkwater was also present, as well as Crown Bearer of 1947 Kevin Willett and Tony Leadbeater, who served as Crown Bearer in 1948.

Chairman of the Knutsford Royal May Day Steve Wilkinson said: “I found it very interesting to listen to the ex-May Queens and Crown Bearers - their stories were fascinating.”

“Interestingly, some of the more mature Queens and Crown Bearers were saying how little it had altered to what they remembered. That is a positive in the fact that we trying to keep tradition going.”

Eileen Podmore, a member of the May Day Committee’s 150th organising group, said she has been flooded with messages of thanks from the past May Queens saying just how much they appreciated joining in with this year’s festivities.

She added: “I believe everyone who took part, or joined with us as Past May Queens, Crown Bearers or guests, thoroughly enjoyed the day.

“The atmosphere on the Grandstand was wonderful as it was full of our May Day Family and supporters.

“We had Queens from New Zealand and Canada visiting, and I have received letters of thanks from so many people which makes all our hard work worthwhile.”