Whitsuntide

A picture I recently received for posting on my face book page (I grew up in the 60s. http://www.facebook.com/IGrewUpInThe60s ) brought back some fantastic memories of Whitsuntide in the 60s, and prompted me to wonder whatever happened to the traditional Whitsuntide we all enjoyed so much?

As I'm sure you all know by now I grew up living in Sheffield, and during the 60s most of us kids attended Sunday school. Whitsuntide for us was a very special time, a time when we all received a complete new set of cloths, and a time when Whitsuntide was every bit as exiting as Christmas.
I attended Beck Rd Sunday school and every year a float (a lavishly decorated truck) would carry all the younger children, and the older children would follow the float on its journey to concord park.
The park would be full,as far as the eye could see, with children and family's from other Sunday schools and churches, all with equally lavish floats and all wearing their brand new Sunday best clothing.
Many Sunday schools/churches would have a band and all had a May queen.

Whatever happened to the traditional Whitsuntide? and when did it disappear?
It seems we the older generation are now only left with the memories of what was a fantastic time, memories of mum sewing, taking up dresses and memories of the Whitsuntide walk, how proud we were to be displaying our brand new attire.
Have we really progressed in this, the new millennium? I'm not so sure.