The Ilkley Manor House courtyard was full of the joys of spring this afternoon; the weather was glorious, the music lively, and the structured chaos of the dancing was utterly delightful.
Local historian Alex Cockshott gave a short and fascinating talk about the origins of maypole dancing before explaining how the different types of dance would work. Geoff Bowen then lifted up his fiddle whilst young and old were ushered towards the ribbons and instructed how to move around the pole, threading themselves in and out between the other dancers. As you can imagine, it did not immediately go according to plan! Professional dancers may have been horrified by what ensued, but for all who took part a sense of life-affirming wonder was achieved, as the ribbons began to intricately weave themselves together and day-to-day stresses were briefly put to one side.
Like Christmas, this spring ritual comes but once a year and we all look forward to next May, when the maypole will be dusted off and the courtyard will once again come alive with the spirit and thrill of folk dancing.
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