Each year cattle are turned out on the Common Lands in late April or early May after being under shelter during the winter. Every five years this is marked by a colourful civic ceremony organised by the Common Lands Charity which administers the meadows. This ceremony on April 27 2022 had been postponed for two years because of the Covid pandemic. Honorary Macebearers Michael Wheeler and Adrian Walters lead the procession followed by Mayor Sue Ayres with Peter Fulcher, Chairman of the Sudbury Common Lands Charity, deputy Mayor Ellen Murphy, trustees of the Common Lands Charity, grazier John Coleman,  Ranger Nick Shimwell, and his deputy, and local volunteers who help care for the Common Lands