TOWN and village greens are the essence of rural England and Wales, romantically linked with refreshing cucumber sandwiches while cricketers play in the lengthening shadows of a summer evening.

The green is traditionally at a central location and provides an open-air meeting place for the people of a village, for example at times of celebration, or for public ceremonies. May Day festivities are traditionally located at the green, with the maypole erected at its centre. Some may also have a pond, originally for watering stock.

However the reality of such locations can be wide, and can encompass woodland, moorland, sports grounds, and even, in part, buildings and roads. They may also be positioned far from the centre of the community, especially if the community has moved, or been absorbed into a larger settlement. There are about 3,650 registered greens in England and about 220 in Wales.

Here, Peter Manders recalls the bustle of the church fete on the village green in the centre of Dilwyn last year – which will take place again this year on Saturday, June 6.