HUNDREDS of people came out to celebrate spring with the first MayFest being hailed a resounding success.

Members of Bridport Community Orchard Committee held the event last Sunday, with lots of dancing, music and cider and officially opened by town crier, John Collingwood.

The orchard, behind St Mary’s Church on South Street, was full of apple blossom and around 300 people joined family and friends to make their own garlands from ivy and flowers, meet Anna’s sheep, enjoy folk music from Barron Brady and entertainment from Wyld Morris dancers.

Local company Dorset Nectar was on hand with a range of artisan ciders and groups brought an array of food for the community bring and share picnic.

Visitors were also encouraged to try their hand at maypole dancing and enjoyed different traditional dances with ribbon.

Storyteller Martin Maudsley and his May Mummers transfixed audiences with a fantastic performance of Martin’s specially written Mummers play, inspired by the legend of Robin Hood.

The May Queen and Jack-in the-Green were crowned, with Alice Budden and Mitch taking the titles and being adorned with garland crowns and gowns, who sat on ‘thrones’ to overlook and watch the May Mummers play.

The day culminated in a procession around the orchard, in which adults and children could showcase their handmade flower garlands.

Michele Read, an organiser of the event, said: “The orchard looked a real picture and I was touched and moved by so many people enjoying themselves in such a convivial and magical atmosphere.”

Throughout the year, members also hold an apple day, wassail and various working group parties to undertake any maintenance needed in the orchard.

For more information, visit www.bridportcommunityorchard.org.uk or search for Bridport Community Orchard on Facebook.