The tradition of wearing Easter bonnets came into being thanks to Easter being known as a time for renewal. With the fasting of Lent over female churchgoers were eager to show off their new clothes at Easter – and that included hats.

Irving Berlin wrote the well-known song lyrics “In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it” and it was performed by Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in the musical film Easter Parade in1948.

While not many people buy a new hat for Easter these days, children still enjoy making an Easter bonnet for school and our photos show lots of displays from across the county over the years.

Carlisle’s ABC cinema had a very popular children’s club called the ABC Minors and our photo shows the winners of the club’s Easter bonnet contest in 1973.