© Richardyt / The Paganhill Maypole Society

Welcome To The Web Site of The Paganhill Maypole, Gloucestershire, England.

The Paganhill Maypole is maintained wholly from donations from local people and the fund raising activities of the committee of the Paganhill Maypole Society

1953 - Coronation Maypole (Queen Elizabeth II)

On 16th Oct 1950 a public meeting was convened by Mr. Ted Wheeler, of Park Farm, at the Recreation Hut. Only 12 people attended.

The meeting was held, explained Mr. Birch, to appoint a small committee to take over the responsibility of the maypole following the recent death of Mr. Victor Evans who had done this for over thirty years.

Concerns were expressed as to the future of the existing pole and the continuing search to find a replacement tree.

At a meeting held in July 1958 the committee proposed to lower the pole for painting as it had now had sufficient time to season since being first erected.

It was decided to raise funds over the winter months through the usual whist drives, skittles evenings, a Tramp’s Supper and a Cheltenham Gold Cup draw.

It was hoped that the work might be done in the Spring of 1959. Mr. John Stanton was pleased to contribute £10 towards the costs.

Meanwhile, Mr. Brunsdon was asked to provide a quotation for lowering and raising the pole. Half a hundredweight of putty together with 3 gallons of paint and replacement flag-chord would be obtained. The work was finally completed in June 1959 with the Coronation pole painted in white with a gold band around the middle.

In December 1970 the pole was taken down following concerns about its condition.

In November 1952 a further public meeting was held to decide what arrangement should be made to celebrate the Coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II.

This was attended by over 50 local residents including the Rev. Beck, Mrs. A.W. Stanton and other prominent members of the village.

The committee resolved to take the maypole down and repaint it and to seek ways of raising money to support any Coronation festivities.

In the event the old pole was lowered and replaced with a new one in May 1953 and a suitable copper plaque, celebrating the Coronation, was fitted above the base of the pole.

The maypole being lifted opposite Crown  Row Cottages prior to re-erecting in 1959.