© 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
Maypoles
HISTORY OF THE PAGANHILL MAYPOLE
THE OFFLEY POLE
20 May 1804 During the erection of the maypole, a stay rope snaps resulting in the maypole falling and killing two children. This sad event prevented the erection of further maypoles for several years. Charles Offley Esq. of Upfield provided a water well and pump for the village as a preferable substitute for the future. So great was the attachment of the villagers to the maypole, that after Mr Offley's death, they erected another maypole as near to the old site as would the well and pump allow.
The well and pump fell into disuse for many years until restored by the Board of Health.
1836 Some villagers steal a pole from Penn Wood and are sent to prison.
1891 Records show that an 84-ft maypole and the pump stand side by side.
THE GEORGE V CORONATION POLE
5 June 1911 A more impressive maypole is erected.
W.W.1 MEMORIAL POLE
1919 A new larch maypole of 97-ft is erected
23 July 1927 The maypole is taken down for painting and found to be rotten. The Paganhill Maypole Committee is formed
Nov 1928 A new maypole was found at Cranham (after a visit to the Royal William), it was purchased, felled and transported for £10, which left £10-5s-6d in the funds. £5 was put aside for painting the maypole and the balance spent on a dinner for the workers.
THE STANTON POLE
27 Sept 1929 The new maypole is erected, which is considered to be the highest in England.
August 1933 The maypole is taken down for repainting and re-erected.
1940 The maypole is taken down as not to be used as a landmark for enemy aircraft.
ELIZABETH II CORONATION POLE
May 1953 The old maypole is taken down and a new maypole erected for the Coronation. A copper plaque celebrating the Coronation is fitted to the base of the pole.
June 1959 The maypole is taken down for repainting and re-erected.
11 Dec 1970 After public complaints about the condition of the maypole it was taken down for safety.
ELIZABETH II SILVER JUBILEE POLE
12 Feb 1977 Mr Walter Griffiths of Wick Street donates a larch for the new maypole - 80 ft long. It was delivered to the Old Crown car park in May of the same year.
4 June 1977 The new maypole was erected and a union jack flag which was 25 years old was duly hoisted, the copper plaque was refitted with the word 'Coronation' altered to 'Jubilee' and 1952 changed to 1977. The weathervane on top of the pole was gold leafed at a cost of £32. Owing to high winds the lights and flag were taken down for repair two days later. Dancing was held around the maypole on the evening of 7th June.
20 June 1981 The maypole is lowered for repainting (paid for by Mr Coombes of Paganhill Garage).
25 July 1981 The fully painted maypole is re-erected in time to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer on July 29th.
August 1985 The maypole is repositioned by Stroud District Council due to road widening and the reduction of the traffic island on which the maypole is situated.
1 Dec 1990 Due to the hurricane that devastated the southern counties of Britain, the maypole is lowered for safety and insurance reasons. The condition of the maypole was found to be good. The maypole remained on trestles in the Old Crown car park while fund raising activities took place.
Dec 1992 The old Maypole committee is replaced with the Paganhill Maypole Society, and plans start with a view to erect a new 60 ft maypole in the Old Crown car park, and a 15-foot section of the old maypole in its original position.
CROWN INN POLE
April 1994 A new 60-foot unpainted maypole is erected in the car park of the Old Crown Inn Paganhill while a painted section of the old maypole is erected in its original position at the top of Paganhill Lane.
7 July 1994 BBC Radio Gloucestershire produce a 15 minute programme on the history of the maypole.
8 May 1995 The inauguration of the new maypole takes place with children from Park Junior School Stonehouse dancing around the pole. The ceremony combined with the 50th anniversary celebrations of VE day.
29 April 1998 The maypole is lowered for painting in the traditional colours of red white and blue.
14 July 1998 The fully painted 60-foot maypole is erected in the car park of the Old Crown Inn.
1 May 1999 The first May Fayre around the Maypole for many years takes place, with dancing and craft stalls. The local vicar Michael Jeffery blesses the pole.
6 May 2000 The second May Fayre is held with craft stalls and dancing. Upfield School Paganhill and Park Junior School Stonehouse different country dancing.
5 May 2001 The third May Fayre is held with craft stalls and dancing. Local schools take part in various forms of maypole and country dancing and a demonstration by the local Morris dancers.
23 April 2003 The maypole is reduced to 16-ft following the discovery that it contained various patched of rot.
3 May 2003 The fifth May Fair is held with craft stalls and dancing. Four local schools take part in various forms of maypole and country dancing. Park Junior School Stonehouse are the first ever winners of the Paganhill Maypole Society Schools Dance Trophy.
STROUD 700th ANNIVERSARY POLE
29 April 2004 The committee although reluctant to break with tradition opt for a 60 ft glass fibre pole. The pole is delivered to Paganhill after being purchased by a timely donation of £1500 by Tim Lodge. A plaque was attached to the pole to record the generous donation.
4 May 2004 Following the continual decay the wooden pole is removed from the Old crown car park and replaced with a temporary pole.
15 May 2004 The May Fayre is moved to the Archway School playing field as it had outgrown the Crown Inn car park.
3 Oct 2004 The newly painted 60ft glass fibre pole is attached to the hinged base plate on the triangle at the road junction by maypole cottages, and erected with the help of an Ellis crane. Following the erection a Ceremony of Dedication was lead by Padre Brian Wooleston vicar of Whiteshill. The committee and helpers retired to the Maypole Hall to enjoy a ‘bring and share supper’ with other members of the parish.