May Day celebrations return to village

TEESDALE’S may pole village is to live up to its name with the return of May Day celebrations.
Ovington will host its traditional may pole dancing on bank holiday Monday, May 1, 18 months after its iconic grade II structure blew down in a storm.
High winds in November 2015 saw the 78ft high fir pole toppled – eventually leading to the cancellation of May Day celebrations last year.
However, generous donations from villagers ensured a fresh and much stronger pole was shipped in from Finland and installed in September.
Youngsters from the Ovington Children’s Group will lead the dancing from 11am onwards.
They will be joined by the dale’s youth folk group Cream Tees, led by Neil Diment, from Music at the Heart of Teesdale (M@HoT).
Mr Diment said: “It feels like we’re part of the event now – it was really sad to not be part of it last year.
“By bringing a group of children and parents along we can hopefully get a lot more people dancing around the maypole which is a win-win.”
Unfortunately, M@HoT’s longsword dancing team are not yet ready for a public performance.
However, Mr Diment revealed there could be a surprise appearance from the Black Sheep Morris Dancers.
He added: “There’ll be no rest for the band as we’ll be going to Barnard Castle afterwards to busk around the town.
“The main thing is seeing the may pole back in the village.
“It’s about being actively involved in maintaining these old traditions and practising what we preach.”
Organiser Amanda Wilson paid tribute to the volunteers who made the return of Ovington’s pole possible.
She said: “It’s great – this is the maypole village.
“You would not believe how much you miss seeing the flag flying from the A66 as you know you’re nearly home.”
The previous may pole was installed in 2006 after the cost of maintaining the rotting 1945 structure became too high. When it blew down last year, it was hoped it could be cut down, serviced and reinstalled but rot that had worked into the fir trunk made renovation impossible.
The old pole was cut down for a new bench on the green while Ovington parish council led the fundraising effort for a new structure.
Donations from villagers alongside cake sales and race nights gathered £4,500 to transport the new slightly shorter, 66-feet long pole and renovate its fox weathervane.
The returning celebrations will include a cake stall and hot dogs alongside tea and coffee.
Donations of home made cakes are also welcome on the day as is help setting up the stalls at 8.30am on the green.
For more information, or to contact organisers, email Ms Wilson on wishiwasinwasdale @yahoo.co.uk or email Katrine Paterson at katrinepater son@gmail.com