Maypole
Dancing at May time is an old custom, common in many cultures, to welcome in the summer, and probably began by dancing around a significant tree or bush in the village. In Europe, from mediaeval times, the maypole was a tall tree trunk bedecked with greenery and hoisted onto the village green at the beginning of the festivities.
Many maypoles were destroyed during Cromwell’s rule as being ‘heathenish vanity…’ but erected again in Charles II reign. The tallest was in the Strand, London, standing at 130 feet.
The custom of dancing around the maypole with plaited ribbons was introduced in 1889 by Professor John Ruskin for his student teachers at Whitelands College, Roehampton and is still practised today. The idea possibly came from similar European traditions. The weaving of ribbons around the maypole became popular throughout the country. Today, maypole dancing is performed by a variety of ages in schools, community celebrations, and other festivities.
Maypole crown
The Full English Folk Marquee, Big Weekend, Cambridge, July 2013
Photo: EFDSS; Photographer: Frances Watt
