An Experience not to be missed?
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An Experience not to be missed?
Barwicker No.17
March 1990
When I had previously seen the maypole brought down or raised
had placed myself in a position as near to the maypole as was
allowed, wanting to see as much of the method as I could. However,
on the occasion when it was being lowered in 1981, I found my
nerve was not what it was and felt a desire to put a respectable
distance between it and me. The position I settled on was in Main
Street, on the pavement outside the Old Rectory wall - between the
past and the present bus stops.
It was a cool evening as it so frequently is at that time of
the year and the long wait involved in the digging out made it feel
even more so. It seemed the operation must be getting near the
end and the crowd of watchers was beginning to get impatient,
wanting to see the next stage of the lowering by the ropes. The
line in Main Street on the opposite side of the road from me was
only loosely manned and waiting full control. Feeling time was
near, I glanced up at the top of the maypole and saw it move. I
looked across the way at the loose rope, at the few officials
gathered at the dig and then uneasily looked up again to see the
maypole top dip in my direction. I screamed 'It's coming down',
and ran towards the Old Rectory gateway. There was a thud behind
me, followed by a deathly hush. I turned, putting my hands to my
face, fearing to see the carnage I expected.
Slowly I lowered my hands to see people standing still and no
sign of any casualties on the ground. Then I looked down and
lying at my feet was the splintered and, I thought, rotten end of
the maypole. A policewoman ran from the shop area across the way,
put her arms around me and asked if I was alright. Feeling very
shaken I enquired if anybody was hurt and she assured me that
nobody was, saying that I was the nearest person to the fallen
pole. I again looked at the smashed pole at my feet and then at
the shocked but now vociferous crowd around and could hardly
believe that the 88 ft. or so heavy pole had not hit anybody on its
downward path!
From then on a search was made for the weather vane, which I
hadn't seen, but it transpired it had already been picked up and
removed for safe keeping. Bits of broken top were collected by
souvenir hunters but feeling I had had a very narrow escape, I
returned home to soothe my shaken nerves. Of course, I was there
to see the maypole erected a few weeks later and have seen it
lowered and raised on each following occasion. It is an experience
not to be missed, I believe. I still maintain my respect of the
maypole and my distance from it when it is moved.