May Day celebrations are special in Devon. Perhaps it is due to our rural community – Devonians have historical links with the countryside and the importance of nature looms large in our lives. In past years, the whole quality of life, even survival, depended on the growth of crops, the successful breeding of animals and the quality and quantity of the harvest. May Day marks the beginning of the cycle of growth and harvest, and is celebrated across Devon, in countryside and town, with traditional and hearty enthusiasm. Crowds attended the May Day revelry at Lustleigh on Saturday. May Queen Anna Bell climbed on to her throne on the rock in the orchard and was crowned by Julian Badger. Village children, aged from five to 15, danced round the maypole, thanks to lessons from Jean Wills, of Lustleigh Dairy. Spectators enjoyed the Wheels of Fire Morris dancing and music from the Okehampton Silver Band. 'The weather was fine and everything was lovely right through the blessing of the necklace on the church steps and the dancing in the orchard,' said Jean Wills: 'It was only when everyone went in for tea that the heavens opened.' At Wolborough School, May Day celebrations are part of School Grounds Day. 'It's a day of celebration,' explained headteacher Peter Ball. 'In the morning, the children decorate the trees and bushes, then we all have a picnic lunch. Newton Abbot's bayor and the parents picnic with us. In the afternoon we have the May Day celebrations. The May Queen, who is elected by the children, is crowned by the mayor, then the children dance. The two top classes dance round the maypole. It's a day everyone enjoys.' Kingskerswell May Day procession was gloriously traditional, with the floral figure Jack in the Green towering over the accompanying musicians. Also in the procession were the beautifully-costumed Black Bess Border Morris Dancers and the girls of the 1st Kingskerswell Brownies. Jack in the Green led the procession in a circuit of the village before the dancing began. Traditionally, Jack dies at the end of May Day and so releases the spirit of summer into the land. Villagers take a scrap of Jack's greenery home with them so Mother Nature will bless their year to come. All Lustleigh May Day proceeds are for charity. Street collectors raised £60 for the John Parkes Children's Unit at Torbay Hospital and the Devon Folk Soundbeam Appeal, and more will come from the evening ceilidh. At Highweek Primary School, Newton Abbot, all 60 foundation stage children, aged four and five, had their faces painted with flowers before joining in the May Day dancing in the playground. 'They loved the face-painting,' said nursery manager Diana Braund. 'Each child chose their own colours.' After crowning the May Queen, five-year-old Alice Breshan, each class performed a dance for their watching parents. 'At the end, the children fetched their parents and we all danced together in two huge circles in the playground,' said Mrs Braund. 'It was a lovely and very well supported morning.'