Don’t miss Torrington Mayfair 2025 – everything you need to know

Great Torrington Mayfair is back this Thursday (May 1) with a host of activities in the days ahead, including maypole dancing, fancy dress the and the popular Round the Tree Race.

People are expected to flock to the town square for start of the annual May celebrations, traditionally held on the first Thursday in May since Victorian times, but the revels are thought to have started way in the Middle Ages.

Thursday in the square begins with a short open air service at 9.45am, followed by country and floral dancing from Great Torrington Bluecoat Primary pupils from 10.05am, floral dancing for all from 10.30am and entertainment including the irrepressible Torrington Cavaliers and the Littleham Howlers.

Wheelchair users are asked to be in the designated area of the square by 10am to ensure safe access. Local Road closures will be in place throughout the week at various times.

The Proclamation of the May Fair will be read out at noon, followed by the crowning of May Queen Olivia Perry. The royal p[arty includes crwoner Coral Guppy, heralds Reuben Pascoe and Tanner-James West, plus standard Bearer Oscar Bidwell. The attendants are Isabel Armstrong, Sophia Plows, Luna Owens-Blaker, Freya Bettiss, Ava Tyler, Lillie Turner, Lily Shaw and Violet Heal.

Above: Last year's fun. Credit: John Insull

The afternoon will see more entertainment in the Square. Fairground rides from Rowlands Amusements are at Barley Grove Car Park throughout Fair Week.

Friday will see the return of the Round the Tree race, organised by Torrington AAC and the Mayfair Committee. The race starts and finishes in the square with a 2,75 mile race for seniors and a 1.75 mile race for juniors (minimum age 11 years).

Registration is from 5.30pm with all under 15s setting off at 6.45pm, then at 7.15pm senior female racers plus under 17 females, fun runners and mixed teams will depart. At 7.30pm the male under 17s and seniors will set off. There is a medal for all entrants.

Registration is on the evening or you can register in advance and find out more at www.torringtonaac.co.uk/round-the-tree

On Saturday (May 3), get ready for the Torrington Fancy Dress Music Festival, which follows on from the success last year and will see more than 30 musical acts and performers spread across 11 venues in the town, starting from 2pm.

Entry wrist bands for the day can be purchased at £2 per person. These can be purchased from the music venues and many of the local shops, or in the square on the day.

The music will pause at 6pm for the popular fancy dress parade, setting off from outside the Pannier Market led by Torrington Silver Band and the Mayfair procession.

Above: Credit: John Insull

The parade will go up the square, along Fore Street, down Cornmarket Street, towards Castle Street, then up to the Fair and back down the Pannier Market.

Then the music and entertainment continues from 8pm until late.

Keep up to date with everything going on at the Great Torrington Mayfair & Carnival Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/greattorringtonmayfair