Littleport celebrates Crownfest at The Crown Inn on May 3

Called Floralia, after the goddess of flowers, vegetation and fertility, it also involved girls dancing round a maypole.

The advent of Christianity didn’t affect these primarily rural festivities until 1644 when Oliver Cromwell decided to abolish what he and the Puritans described as "a heathenish vanity generally abused to superstition and wickedness."

I suspect the nature of Littleport’s citizens was then as now, and May celebrations would have continued unabated until 1660 and the restoration of King Charles II that saw the revelries—and maypoles—officially reinstated.

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This weekend in the reign of Charles III there is Crownfest May 3 from 12 until late at the historic Crown Inn.

Raising money for local charity, Branching Out and Alzheimer’s UK, it’s £5 entry, under 12s free.

Family fun games 50p coins only, face painting, market stalls, a rodeo bull, live music and more.

Sara Alexander is organising a charity bingo night on May 3 at the Littleport Ex-Servicemen’s Club in support of Clare Gathercole’s 26.2 miles ‘moonwalk’ round London on May 17 for breast cancer awareness.

Doors open 6.30pm and its ‘eyes-down’ 7pm with a £10 book of 8 games and a raffle.

And on the weekend before VE Day May 8 - this May 4, Clare’s Kitchen, based at Sharman’s Garden Centre in Camel Road with its wonderful flora, invites everyone to a VE Day 1940s style street party in aid of the Royal British Legion12-3pm.

This is a donation-only event with a 1940s-style buffet provided, 1940s games, music and, if you dress 1940s, there’s a prize for the best. Call Clare on: 07394 463226.

There’ll be merriment this bank holiday weekend at all Littleport’s welcoming hostelries, where you can also get delicious food.

The Plough and Harrow has just had a splendid makeover and The Swan on Sandhill has dishy delights too.

Last Friday’s Quiz Night at Littleport Leisure raised £430 for Adam’s fire-hit family.