Hundreds gather to mark rising of sun on May Day

Hundreds of people gathered on Dartmoor to watch May Day celebrations unfold on Thursday.

As the sun rose over Haytor morris dancers welcomed the arrival of spring and beacons were lit. 

Dancers from the Beltane and Grimspound Border Morris groups took part before 06:00 BST.

Antje Derks, who has been coming to watch the event for many years, said "reconnecting with nature and traditions is so important".

She said: "I’ve been coming since pretty much the start - I can’t believe the amount of people that are here.

"Since the pandemic people are going back to their roots a lot more."

First time visitor Laura Page said: "I’ve never been up before so I just wanted to get up here and join in.

"There’s a real interest in British folk tradition in the moment.

"People are reconnecting with history - so I think the turnout is to do with that and to come up and watch the sun rise on the moors it’s just great."

Jonathan Owens, from Grimspound Morris, said: " You can’t put it into words, there’s been so many people and the energy between the two sides is incredible.

"There was fire, lightning, the Haytor rocks, I think the audience loved it.

"I think originally it started off as a small affair with family members being dragged up reluctantly but now I think it’s really a marker of May day and people don’t want to miss it."

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