 By then it had become a Christian festival, though its origins likely pre-date Christianity to the pagan Beltane festivals.In 1872 the squire of the town erected a permanent Maypole and left a bequest in his will to fund the annual celebration.Like many English festivals, the Ickwell May Day is usually accompanied by Morris dancing -- in this case, the Ickwell Mayers, with their Lord and Lady, and the dirty-faced Moggies.