The merry month of May will be welcomed in at Quarry Bank Mill with its annual May Day celebrations next month.

Music, stalls, a barbeque and traditional dancing around the Maypole will take place in the Mill Yard and Quarry Bank Garden.

Charlotte Bridle, Learning Officer at Quarry Bank says: "We have a great time here at the Mill on May Day. There's lots going on around the property, and of course one of the highlights is the dancing around our Maypole by local schoolchildren. May is named after the Greek Goddess Maia and marked the beginning of summer and the most productive time of the year for growing crops. It was a major festival for our ancestors, celebrated with music, dancing and games. The Maypole itself has its origins from when people used to cut young trees down, stick them in the ground around their village and then dance around them to mark the arrival of summer".

Luckily there won't be a need to cut down any trees at Quarry Bank Mill on May Day, but fruit and vegetables from the Apprentice House Garden will have been harvested to ensure visitors enjoy some delicious produce in the Mill Restaurant.

David Ward, Assistant Catering Manager explains: "We are using leeks from the garden in our freshly prepared soups, rosemary in our delicious Lamb and Rosemary Hotpot, and rhubarb to make our scrumptious 'whim wham' dessert. If you're tempted by the May Day barbeque you can enjoy local Cheshire sausages, or why not pop into the newly refurbished Pantry in the Mill Yard and tuck into a delicious Snugbury's ice-cream or a selection of freshly made sandwiches or cakes?"

May Day celebrations take place at Quarry Bank Mill on Monday 3 May, 12 noon - 4pm. For details go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk or call the Infoline on 01625 445896.

Quarry Bank Mill, garden and estate are open daily, 11am - 5pm.