A Midsummer mystery with Oberon and Titania?

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If we could travel back in time thousands of years to the Britain of the Celts, we would find an island steeped in folklore, superstition and pagan nature-worshipping. The Celts may be long gone, but their influence is still to be felt in some of their festivals and traditions which survive to this day.

May Day, on 1st May, or Beltane to the Celts, celebrated the coming of summer and new life. As the festival evolved over the centuries, people adorned themselves, their houses and the famous maypole with flowers gathered from field and forest to mark the occasion. Some seven weeks later, Midsummer Eve on 23rd June, around the time of the summer solstice, has historically been a time when bonfires have been lit in praise to the sun that ripens the harvest. Thanks to a certain William Shakespeare, though, the date is also associated with fairies and magic, and also sees people adorn themselves and various objects with floral decorations.

We have seen many photographs like this before, of Edwardian cars covered from top to bottom with flowers, and have never quite been sure of the reason why, but we guess they have been decorated either for some May Day or Midsummer festival. These celebrations, which have sadly largely died out, survived longest in rural areas, and from the assorted handcarts visible in the background, we seem to be looking at a rural scene. We wonder if anyone might be able to tell us more about the situation? What's more, all the photographs we have seen of cars dressed up like this come from Britain. We wonder if this was ever common practice in other parts of Europe, or the even wider world. Perhaps our international readers could shed some light on it?

Of course, the one question we have to ask is 'What is the car?', but we feel that might be too much to ask considering how much of it is concealed. What about N.M.C., though? Could the 'M' and 'C' refer to a Motor Club? Again, we must ask for your kind assistance.

As for the driver and his passenger, if they're not Oberon and Titania then we haven't a clue who they are. Perhaps some knowledgeable readers can help us get to the bottom of the mystery - or else make us look a complete ass...

Words: Zack Stiling; photograph: Stiling Collection
 

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