Village revives historic holiday maypole tradition
HUNDREDS of villagers lined the streets of Barwick-in-Elmet on Bank Holiday Monday to celebrate the return of the traditional maypole ceremony in the village.
After the ceremony was cancelled because of health and safety fears in 1999, organisers decided to bring it back with the help of manpower and machinery.
A team of men carried the maypole into position before ropes hoisted the 86ft pole into place.
Nigel Trotter, chairman of the Barwick Maypole Trust, who led the ceremony, said: ”We are delighted with the way the event has gone.
“Its lovely to keep the tradition going.
“We’ve had to slightly change the way of doing it, but I think we have successfully evolved the tradition.”
The raising of the maypole was central to the proceedings early in the day, before 13-year-old Maddi Cornforth was crowned Maypole Queen by Lady Mayoress of Leeds, Pat Hyde.
She was joined by Maid of Honour Phoebe Hainsworth, also 13, as the pair led a parade through the village.
Children from Barwick-in-Elmet Church of England primary school entertained the crowds with maypole dancing before villager Chris Brown wrapped up the proceedings by climbing to the top of the maypole to spin the weather vane.
“We look forward to doing it again in 2008,” Mr Trotter said.
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Weather for Harrogate
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
