Yorkshire Maypoles
No.8 THE NEW MAYPOLE AT ROTHWELL
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Yorkshire Maypoles
No.8 THE NEW MAYPOLE AT ROTHWELL
Barwicker No.3
June 1994
A local group, the Rothwell Carnival Committee as it was then
called, had raised £2000 from their annual July carnival and each
year local groups, charities and other organisations wrote to ask
for donations from the funds. It was felt that in 1990 some of
the funds should be spent on something a little different and ideas
were sought. A local councillor had spoken of a maypole for
Rothwell but funds had never been available. So I asked if he
would mind taking up the idea with our funds and purchasing a
maypole.
The job of actually getting a maypole was not easy. Enquiries
were made and it took several weeks before a pole was found. A
27ft. pole was bought and the council made arrangements to put it
on site. The area where it was to be placed was not easy to react
with a vehicle. A crane had to be used and due to the fact that it
was very difficult to put up we decided that the pole had to be
left up permanently.
This was just the start. Now we had a pole but it was only
six weeks to May Day, the first Monday in May. We then had to
raise funds to provide entertainments. Two jumble sales were held
and raised approximately £200. A Punch and Judy show and street
entertainers were booked and a local school was approached to do
the maypole dancing. The only problem was that we did not have
any idea how to do the dancing and which music to use. We did
find a local school who had music and they would work with the
teachers to show their children the steps. The school woodwork
department offered to make the bracket for the ribbons and we were
on our way.
The local fire brigade was approached to fit the bracket up on
May Day. All was coming together and the only thing we needed was
a nice day. Monday morning came, the sun shone and the crowds
came out. 500 people came to see Rothwell's new maypole. The day
was a huge success. Everyone h ad fun. It was the first of many
May Days as we decided to hold the event annually. Each year the
event grew with more entertainment and spectators.
I decided after eight years of organising the Rothwell Carnival
and four years of May Days to retire. Others took up the challenge
and this year's event was a great success.
ELAINE TAILOR
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