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.

Steve & Rachel

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.

Steve & Rachel

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.

Contact Us


on 01243 543868 or 07979 366326

Email: enquiries@maypolehire.com

 

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Included in the Hire

 

  • Delivery and set up.
  • New ribbons for each event.
  • Decorations and colour scheme can be personalised if required.
  • Music for the dancing.
  • Dancing instruction.
  • Dismantling and Collection.

Included in the Hire

 

  • Delivery and set up.
  • New ribbons for each event.
  • Decorations and colour scheme can be personalised if required.
  • Music for the dancing.
  • Dancing instruction.
  • Dismantling and Collection.

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.

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.

Image Gallery

Image Gallery

Email Us Your Enquiry

Send us the following details to make an enquiry

Email us on: enquiries@maypolehire.com

Please include: 

Your name

Email address

Telephone number

Date of your event

Event type (EG: Wedding, Birthday, Anniversary, Party, Etc.)

Time of your event

Location (town, city, address etc.)

Any other details/Questions – Please also include anything else you think we might need to know or ask us any questions you may have.

 

 

Please Note

OUR TRADITIONAL MAYPOLE

Our large traditional maypole is for outdoor use only.

An area of flat, shortly mown grass is required measuring 20m x 20m.

A hole will need to be dug to hold the maypole. This will be made good afterwards.

OUR MAYPOLE IN A STAND

Our maypole in a stand is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. To be used indoors it does require 6m of height and therefore would only fit inside a venue with very high ceilings. The base is decorated with fake grass, flower pots or baskets and these can be customised for each event. Here are some examples.

​Please Note

OUR TRADITIONAL MAYPOLE

Our large traditional maypole is for outdoor use only.

An area of flat, shortly mown grass is required measuring 20m x 20m.

A hole will need to be dug to hold the maypole. This will be made good afterwards.

OUR MAYPOLE IN A STAND

Our maypole in a stand is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. To be used indoors it does require 6m of height and therefore would only fit inside a venue with very high ceilings. The base is decorated with fake grass, flower pots or baskets and these can be customised for each event. Here are some examples.