The Tradition of Maypole Dancing

May Day Celebrations

The first of May was a time of fun and revelry, with its roots going back to Celtic pagan times. It marked a time of fertility after the dark days of Winter. Dore as a farming community would be well aware of seasons and the impact on lives if harvests failed.

So, Dore would crown a May Queen and her consort the May King, to oversee the dancing which would guarantee good fortune. The May Pole would be erected with its coloured ribbons which are woven through dancing into a range of patterns down the pole. At the top is a crown of flowers welcoming the return of Summer.

From the clothing being worn in the photograph the date of this Maypole Dance is probably about 1910. In the background is the Reverend Gibson who first came to Dore in 1895. The Maypole with its garland crown on top has been erected on Dore's cricket pitch better known as Brunsmeer Football Ground now.

Here is another photograph taken at a similar time to the first. The May Queen and May King can be seen in the background, and the traditional 'crown' on the top of the Maypole is visible. Note that the dancers have garlands in their hair.

Beltane and the Importance of Trees

Trees, in particular hawthorne, figure in the celebration of May Day (or Beltane as it was called in pagan times). There would have been a procession towards the Maypole, the selection of the May Queen and the presence of Jack‐in‐the‐Green who was a relic from those days when our ancestors worshipped trees.

Here are two old sayings about trees. One is a weather forcast:

Oak before Ash we are in for a splash,
Ash before Oak we are in for a soak.

The other is useful if you find yourself caught in a thunderstorm since oak and ash trees tend to be the giants of a wooded area whereas the hawthorn is closer to the ground.

Beware the Oak, it draws a stroke,
Avoid the Ash, it courts a flash,
Creep under a thorn, it will save you from harm.

Although the tradition of dancing around the Maypole is fading out in Derbyshire and beyond; in Dore, slightly out of season, we can see Maypole dancing carried out by Dore's Brownies at Dore Gala. Usually there is a 'caller' who directs the turns of the dancers until the ribbons are woven. In the top photograph it would be the lady on the right who may well have been one of the teachers from Dore School. As today the adults in the background are undoubtedly proud parents.

And this being the month of May 'Ne'er cast a clout till May be out'. 'Clout' is dialect for warm clothing and May refers to may blossom on the hawthorn.