May pole

We have plenty of occasions to mark and celebrate here in the UK. We’ll go the extra mile to treat those who we love and cherish on Valentine’s Day, eat …

Tomorrow on #MoreMusicBreakfast, @TimLihoreau plays five pieces for the first of May!

Scott Phillips remembers his family’s traditions of celebrating May and the coming of spring, and researches old newspapers to explore these traditions.

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Happy last day of April! Can you believe 2017 is now one-third over? It's been such a lovely spring and, unfortunately, my lack of stitching reflects that. I've had a real case of "spring fever" and have been doing everything but stitching... And my finishing mojo? Oh, that is nowhere to be seen. I sure hope things return to normal soon, but with picking out plants (or should I say deer food) for our gardens, doing lots of organizing and spring cleaning at home, and planning for my mom's…

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Beltane MayPole

The Welsh Maypole custom is called codi’r fedwen, raising the birch (south) or y gangen haf, the summer branch (north). In the South, the Maypole, is always of birch and painted different colors. The leader of the dance would place his ribbons around the pole, followed by the other participants until the pole was covered in ribbons. Then it was raised and the dance began. This custom differs very little from those of England except that the pole was always birch and may have been smaller.