Great Britain may have the Windsors, but New Westminster has its own dynasty when it comes to May Day.
Ten-year-old Cassidy Tecklenborg, who was named New Westminster’s 144th May Queen following a draw in council chambers on March 3, won’t have to go far to get tips about the longstanding city tradition, as her grandmother and her aunt were both May Queens. Her mom and another aunt were members of the May Queen suite.
“We couldn’t believe it. She woke up this morning and said, ‘I am so lucky,’” Leslie Nichol said a day after her daughter was named 2014 May Queen. “We were in a state of disbelief that it could happen. We went in thinking the odds were against it.”
Sue Sage, Cassidy’s grandma, was New Westminster’s May Queen in 1962, and her daughter Carrie Nichol carried on the family tradition in 1989. They were the last two May Queens to represent Richard McBride Elementary School, with no other May Queens from that school between their reigns – and none since.
“My mom and sister were the only mother/daughter in 1940 years, and now it’s mother, daughter, granddaughter,” Leslie said.
Four generations of the family have taken part in May Day, whether it was serving in the May Queen suite or dancing at May Day. Cassidy’s great grandmother, Annie Bennie (nee Aston), danced in the 1932 May Day.
“It started really with my mom. She was a Royal Dancer – they were flower girls back then because they didn’t have boys in it,” Sue said. “She loved New Westminster, and she loved May Day.”
Annie, who took her children to May Day when they were too young to participate, passed down a love of the celebration to generations of her family.
“May Day has become so important to our family. Doing the lancers (dance) was just amazing,” Sue said about traditional dances done at the May Day banquet. “Even now, that’s the part they remember.”
Sue has donated her May Day memorabilia, including her dress, crown and photographs, to Irving House. Given the number of positions in the May Queen suite, and the fact that F.W. Howay won the May Queen draw last year, the family thought it was unlikely Cassidy would be named this year’s May Queen.
“It’s very exciting,” said Sue, who was at council chambers when her granddaughter was named as the city’s 2014 May Queen. “My daughter in 1989 – Cassidy’s aunt, and now Cassidy, my granddaughter, which is just unbelievable. I never thought two in the family, and certainly not three.”
The family’s connections to May Day don’t end there, as Cassidy's mom Leslie was third flower girl in the 1986 May Queen Suite, and her aunt Stacey was second maid of honour in 1995. Cassidy is ecstatic about carrying on the family’s May Queen tradition.
“I was happy, really surprised. It’s the best ever,” Cassidy said. “I am looking forward to everything. I am looking forward to saying my speech. I am looking forward to dancing with the lancers.”
The women in Cassidy’s family aren’t the only ones involved in May Day, as her grandfather, Bud Sage, is one of the Royal Lancers. As part of the longstanding tradition, the men who are Royal Lancers dance with the members of the May Queen suite at the annual May Day dinner that caps off the day’s festivities.
“I feel really lucky,” said Cassidy, who will be crowned May Queen on May 21. “It’s like my dream come true.”
While Cassidy will be donning a crown, she won’t be the only family member taking part in New Westminster’s 144th May Day. Her cousins, and fellow F.W. Howay students, Anna and Tyler Rodrigues will be dancing the folk and May Pole dances at May Day.
But the family’s involvement in May Day doesn’t end with dancing and serving in the May Queen suite, with several family members carrying on long after their reign has ended.
In addition to being a Royal Dancer in the city’s 1932 May Day, Annie Bennie also made the flower headbands for the May Queen suite for several years. Sue Sage was the chaperone of the May Queen suite for several years and continues to teach the lancers to the girls.
Leslie will be doing double duty for this year’s May Day festivities. In addition to helping her daughter get ready for her big day, she’s also co-chaperone for the May Queen suite.
“We organize them when they are getting outfitted, we are contacts for the parents,” she said. “We do all the behind-the-scenes work.”
