Spring has sprung and that means Wellow Maypole Celebrations are just around the corner!
The unique Maypole Celebrations at Wellow are one of the best-loved village events in Nottinghamshire. The Late Spring Bank Holiday will see the return once more of Wellow’s annual festival and celebration of ancient tradition on its village green.
The centre of Wellow is dominated by its 17 metres high painted maypole, which forms the focus of the day’s events. The highlight is always the crowning of the May Queen and the maypole dancing, with the children weaving patterns with the red, white and blue ribbons attached to the maypole on the village green.
This year the new May Queen will be Gaby Cooper, who lives in Southwell and attends the Minster School. Her sister Lotte will be one of her Maids of Honour. Gaby has danced round the maypole each year since 2016, and over the years has learnt all the intricate traditional dances. Local children are taught the maypole dances by Sylvia Rose, a resident of Laxton and herself a former May Queen.
Another highlight of the proceedings is the children’s procession from St Swithin’s Church onto the Maypole Green, the girls dressed in traditional pinafores and with flowers in their hair. Accompanying them and causing general mischief are Wellow Jack and the Bogies.
Other attractions during the event include live music (this year from local lad Ollie Hayes) and entertainment from Medieval Maniax, local Morris side Rattlejag, Punch and Judy, and Ollerton Town Drum Corps. The organisers are also pleased that BBC East Midlands TV weatherman and popular local Rob Rose will again be the Master of Ceremonies (listen out for the ‘Dad jokes’!).
The Maypole Green is closed to traffic during the event and is full of stalls, games and amusements, including children’s swing boats, as well as the ever popular Maypole raffle and tombola. Also not to be missed is the home made cakes stall!
Wellow Maypole Celebrations will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 26th May. If you’ve never been, make time this year and go along to experience this traditional village festival. Enjoy fun for all the family from 12.00pm to 5.00pm, with free parking and souvenir programme to buy.