Great Malvern May Day Donkey Procession

The clatter of hooves will once again sound out in Great Malvern, as donkeys from all over the three counties and beyond come to take part in the annual May Day Donkey Procession.

Photo by Steven McCrudden

This colourful, quintessentially English event sees donkeys decorated with beautiful floral garlands joined by adults and children in gorgeous, folk-lore inspired costumes, process around the town centre, singing traditional May Day songs and visiting the main springs and spouts.

Photo by Steven McCrudden

Donkeys played a key role in Malvern’s heyday as a Victorian spa town and resort; they carried invalids up to take the waters at the various healing springs on the hillsides, as well as tourists to picnic and enjoy the views. 

This May Day Procession celebrates the role of donkeys in Malvern by bringing them back into the town; and as a reminder of the “donkey women” and “donkey boys” who looked after the animals, the procession is led by a local boy in Victorian dress riding a donkey. 

The donkeys will gather at the Priory Gatehouse from 10.30am and there will, as always, be plenty of opportunity to meet them before the procession starts with the Blessing of the Donkeys at 11am. 

The procession then leaves the Gatehouse and visits the main spouts in the town centre, reaching St Ann’s Well at around 12.30pm.  Following a break for a special Water Cure Lunch laid on by St Ann’s Well café, festivities will resume at 2pm with the main Blessing of the Waters ceremony, when members of the public will be able to float a candle in St Ann’s Well Pool in memory of loved ones and there will be a blessing of people and pets. 

Photo by Steven McCrudden

Local children will also perform a ballet of May Day on the Malvern Hills, inspired by The Vision of Piers Plowman. 

For 2015, those not able to manage the steep walk up to St Ann’s Well can take advantage of a special mini bus service which will take them to St Ann’s Knoll (though please be aware that the footpath from here to the Well is unfortunately too steep for wheelchairs).  The mini bus will leave The Unicorn Car Park at 12.15pm and 12.45pm, returning from the Knoll at 3.25pm and 3.50pm.

Photo by Steven McCrudden

The event also remembers the many donkeys still working hard around the world today by raising funds for Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land, a charity which runs sanctuaries and provides veterinary and animal husbandry services and advice on both sides of the Israel-Palestine border. For more information on SHADH, please visit www.safehaven4donkeys.org

Location: Priory Gatehouse, Great Malvern, Worcestershire Grid Reference: Ceremonial County: Worcestershire Map Link: Google Map Aerial photo: Google Satellite Getting there: Off the A449 take the B4211 into Church Street and then right into Abbey Road. Access: There is a steep hill up to St Ann's Pool, they are providing buses to get you up there, but unfortunately there is no wheelchair access as the path down to the Pool is too steep. Website: Other Useful Websites: Malvern Museum (in the Priory Gatehouse) Malvern Tourist Info Centre    St Ann's Well Cafe   Safe Haven for Donkeys  Email: thedonkeyminister@outlook.com Address: Priory Gatehouse, Abbey Road, Malvern, Worcestershire (start point) Postcode: WR14 3ES Telephone: Opening Times: May Day 10:30am-5pm Charges: Free Parking: You may need to park in the town car parks and walk to the start point or if taking the mini bus up to St Ann's Knoll then you may be able to park in the car park of the Unicorn Inn, the bus pick up point. Other Location Pages: Other Relevant Pages: Notes: This is an annual May Day event. It starts at the Priory Gatehouse and then a procession travels around the spouts before ending at St Ann's Pool for a blessing and candle floating.   For 2015 they are providing a bus service from the Unicorn Inn Car Park to St Ann's Knoll.   I have been informed and can see from the photos provided for this article that this colourful event provides some good photo opportunities.

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By: Tracey Park	Section:	Key:
Page Ref: malvern_may_day	Topic: Activities and Educational	Last Updated: 04/2015

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