Pole's in position for age-old tradition near Appleby

29 June 2010

An age-old Cumbrian village festival looks set for an electrifying future - thanks to a new may pole donated by power engineers.

The 11m high wooden pole has been raised into position by United Utilities on Warcop village green in time for the annual rush bearing festival on June 29.
 
The pole, which has been decorated with a weather vane by local blacksmith Tom Thwaites, was originally destined to carry power lines.
 
But following a plea from Warcop Parish Council, the company decided to put it to a different use.
 
"Warcop's original may pole was so rotten it had been condemned and all they were left with was a six foot stump," explained engineer Alan Lowes. "Hardly fitting for such a pretty village with such an important sense of tradition.
 
"Originally they contacted us for help in putting a new pole up, but we decided to donate the pole to them as well. It's really nice to be able to put something back into the communities where we work."
 
Parish council chairman, councillor John Heron said the village's existing may pole had only lasted 12 years.
 
"I thought when we put it up that I wouldn't be here when it needed replacing again. It was very disappointing when it rotted so quickly. Hopefully this new pole will give us much more service. it's our rush-bearing festival next week where children take rush crosses and crowns through the village to the church," he said.
 
"We really appreciate United Utilities providing the pole and actually putting it up as well. It will save us a considerable amount of money. It will be great having the may pole back to its original glory and back to being a key feature of the village green."
 
United Utilities, which looks after the north west's regional power distribution network on behalf of Electricity North West, uses poles which are pressure impregnated with preservative giving them an estimated lifespan of 40 years or more.
 
Around two metres of the new pole were buried below ground. The whole operation took about two hours, including digging out the old pole. Then, youngsters from Warcop Primary School buried a time capsule underneath which everyone's hoping will not be unearthed for at least half a century.
 
 
Local builder Tom Wilson restoring the attractive sandstone steps at the base of the new pole. The weather vane was a replica of an original designed by former parish clerk Gilbert Hodgson and features a pheasant.