72 - Devon Folk

SPEKEOF MAYPOLEOver the last three years, with support from Awards for All, two Exe Valley villages have beenreanimating their community through aSpring Festival. This year Upton Pyne and Brampford Spekesuggested hand-making their own Maypole. Wood artist James Bond was commissioned to leadworkshops and Stuart Luxton volunteered atree from his farm. ASpring Saturday saw anyone thatwanted to become amaypole maker meeting early outside Brampford Church, with sensible footwear,clothing, and apicnic. By 2pm, after due ceremony, the tree (named ‘Ashley’) was felled, carved into,and ready to be dragged back to the village.James provided training with his hand-tools, he is insured to work them with up to 8people at any onetime. It was a day to remember. Hauling a 22ft pole back demanded a bit of adult teamwork.Interestingly, it was mainly the girls from the villages’ school who became involved, and their parentshelped, flexing their muscles for the afternoon shift.On avery blustery Saturday May 3rd, the Pole was painted and crowned with adecoration of hawthornblossom and ribbons, ahole was dug, the children were asked to make awish and drop astone for thepole to stand on. Arope was fastened through one end, and with lots of muscle, shouts and energy itwas hauled upright and held firm while soil was compacted around the base.Members of the Devon Folk Committee have been wonderfully supportive, teaching and encouragingthe joys and skills of dance in the village primary school. Accompanied by gusts of chill windyweather and warm feelings of delight, this new and beautiful Maypole was justly celebrated. Thedances were perfect, despite apprehension on all sides. Alan Luxton had cleared the pasture ofcow-pats (no slip ups), the rain held off. The wind demanded that the ribbons be held tightly, and thechildren did their stuff so well that some of the adults were prepared to have ago and dance. CarolGriffiths, who had worked with great energy within the school, managed to instruct an unfit bunch ofnot-so-young adults into awhirling (and puffing) approximation of adance. The day rounded off withaCeilidh and barbecue in the Village Hall.Following an old tradition, the Maypole, will be used to celebrate community events throughout theyear in both villages, not just Maytide festivities, and the intention is that gradually more dances willbe learned (very energetic exercise) and not just by the very young.Stuart Luxton remarked on the fun involved in creating “community events, where people get togetherand do something abit silly.” Andrea Foxwell, alocal cultural performance artist, has made use of thegroup opportunities available by Lottery Arts funding, to bring to life unusual projects that contributegradually to thecollectiveand heartmemoryof thecommunity.Andrea FoxwellAny folkwebsites ofinterest?Please let usknow, so wecan pass onthe detailsto others.14PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version www.pdffactory.com