A Gift from the Woods

We were gifted our lovely traditional maypole for our handfasting some years ago now. Felled by the wind, our tree was renovated, given a new purpose and has provided much fun, frivolity and frolics.

Steve and Rachel would love to hire you our traditional maypole or one in a stand.

Please email us to request availability and a quotation. We are based in West Sussex, United Kingdom and travel across the South of the UK.

A Gift from the Woods

We were gifted our lovely traditional maypole for our handfasting some years ago now. Felled by the wind, our tree was renovated, given a new purpose and has provided much fun, frivolity and frolics.

Steve and Rachel would love to hire you our traditional maypole or one in a stand.

Please email us to request availability and a quotation. We are based in West Sussex, United Kingdom and travel across the South of the UK.

Maypole History

Maypole dancing evolved from an ancient custom recorded as early as Roman times when people would tie ribbons to a tree, and dance around it. The first record of maypole dancing in the UK is in 1350 when a tall birch pole was erected in Llanidfloes, Wales and was decorated with ribbons and flowers. Musicians played for people to dance around the maypole. Traditional maypoles were rough-cut trunks of any tall, straight tree and decorated with flowers and ribbons.

The Puritan parliament banned the use of maypoles in 1644, as they believed them to be ‘a heathenish vanity, generally abused to superstition and wickedness’. Having been part of the May Day (Beltane) celebrations for the start of the summer and a fertility rite, the government attempted to abolish this pagan tradition.

After the monarchy was restored in 1661 a vast decorated maypole was erected in London for all to see and enjoy.

Braiding maypoles with coloured ribbons didn’t begin until the 19th Century, and this tradition was standardised by John Ruskin at a teacher training college in London. Hence why maypole dancing became standard practice in schools throughout the land. Many villages and towns had a maypole in the centre where people met to celebrate summer festivals, fetes and special events.

Today maypole dancing is considered to be a traditional folk dance. While it is not so commonly found, it is great fun, doesn’t require a high level of fitness and is suitable for all ages.

The Personal Touch

Add a personalised touch to your event by choosing how you would like to decorate the top of the maypole. Any ideas considered, and you can keep the wheel and decorations afterwards as a memory of your special day. Please contact us to discuss and we will be able to provide you with a quotation.