English Traditions and Treats in Pitshanger

May Day Parade and more

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Saturday May 10th is the perfect day to celebrate all the very best of English traditions on Pitshanger Lane.

From 9:30 am - 11:30 am, at St Barnabas church (on the corner of Pitshanger Lane and Denison Road), there will be a Plant Sale and Coffee Morning. This is always a charming occasion with excellent value plants for sale, lovingly grown by the church parishioners. Proceeds go to both the church gardening funds and the Breadline Africa charity. Some people simply come for the coffee and homemade cakes - there is always a vast array of delicious British classics.



Eating on Pitshanger Lane is always a treat, and the next stop on the day's itinerary could be lunch at one of the many cafes: Oscars, Cinnamon, Organika, or perhaps one of the excellent restaurants: Lisa's, Atlantic, Chez L'Ami David.

Need any shopping? Pitshanger Lane has every shop a perfect English village would wish for - a proper baker, fishmonger, butcher, greengrocer and delicatessen, as well as excellent gift and book shops.

Finally, at 2:30 pm, the highlight of the day is the Brentham May Day parade, a tradition which has continued since 1906. It is believed to be the only remaining suburban May Day parade. Festivities begin with a parade setting off from the Brentham Club on Meadvale Road and heading around the local streets, led by the Yiewsley and West Drayton Band. Taking part are little boys in fancy dress, the May Queen-elect, Britannia, and more than 150 young girls, all in white and adorned with fresh flowers. We are told that the two florists on Pitshanger Lane make more money on May Day than at either Valentine's or Mother's Day!

The procession returns to the Brentham Club at around 3.00 pm for the crowning of the May Queen and a series of traditional dances round the maypole.

15th April 2014