Urban Maypole Dancing

2020 was a quieter summer than we’d hoped, with events at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Spring Live and Countryfile Live being cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but we are pleased to share a few maypole snaps with you today!

Back in October, our leader Mike Ruff took part in a photoshoot for LAW magazine, involving long ribbons attached to CCTV poles at various sites around London. These are for a feature in January’s issue, linking traditional and urban cultures.

Mike’s role was initially providing the ribbons, but at the last minute he was asked to act as teacher and dance consultant too!

The first site was less than half a mile from Whitelands College, where in 1881 John Ruskin introduced Maypole Dancing as we know it now to a group of teachers in training!

Posted in report.