WITH May Day festivities just over a month away, a character from a landmark edition of the day has shared his memories of the parade.

Former policeman Kevin Willett, 82, was crown bearer at the age of 12 in 1947 – the town’s first May Day celebration following the end of the Second World War.

The parade had been cancelled from 1940 onwards due to the outbreak of war, halting the traditional progression from young characters into royal teenagers.

Kevin, who still lives in Knutsford and crowned Jean Holland on The Heath 70 years ago, said: “I was only 12, and through the 20th century I was the only one to ever do it with no experience at all before.

“The only other one to do that was of course in 1864 when it first started. It was a unique experience.

“My father sent me down to what was the drill hall in Green Street with a few other people – I didn’t really know what it was, I was just sent by my parents.

“When I got back they asked how it was and I said ‘I believe I’m the crown bearer – what does that mean?’ “Never having been to it before, I had unknowingly got the honour. I have been coming to the parade every year since – this will be the 70th.”

Kevin recalls the day as dry but overcast, with huge crowds, dance troupes and even a rumoured broadcast by the BBC which reached as far as Russia.

Being just 12 in 1947, he says his day as such a young crown bearer was unique, and paved the way for him to spend time on the May Day committee as well as leading shire horses along the parade route with his father, Dick Willett.

He said: “I am probably the oldest living crown bearer now, and in those days I was the youngest!

“I think that year was even bigger as a celebration for things getting back to normal [after the war]. In those days there was so much competition with other events.”

Are you a former royal? Get in touch by emailing knutsford@guardiangrp.co.uk or calling 01606 813621.