NUN MONKTON MAYPOLE

  NUN MONKTON MAYPOLE.  During the middle ages and the succeeding periods in history, all

village activities centred round the village green and the maypole.
Almost every village possessed one, and it was a cherished possession.
Tradition says that a new oak maypole was erected in 1793. An old
painting in the possession of my brother dated about 1848 shows a maypole
on it. This was possibly the one erected in 1793. In 1878 a new maypole
was erected the other evidently having been blown down.  The Vicar, the Rev. Septimus Crawhall, was the originator of the
scheme and he gave most of the money for the purchase of the pole. The
rest was raised by public subscription. A meeting of the villagers was
called and Mr. John Poulter, senr, was given the sum of £1 to cover his
expenses and was instructed to go to Hull to make enquiries as to price,
size, etc., of a suitable pole. The £1 was for lodging for the night,
etc., Mr. Poulter was met by an old friend Mr. Seth Lupton who lived in
Hull and who gave his visitor free lodging. They made the necessary
enquiries and also spent the £1 on liquid refreshment. On his return Mr.
Poulter reported to the Vicar and a pole was purchased for £25. It was a
Norwegian pine tree. It was despatched to Marston Moor station and it was
an unshaped block. A wood wagon left Nun Monkton at 3-30a.m. to collect
it but did not arrive back until 6—30 a.m. the next morning. The greatest
difficulties were experienced in turning corners at Marston Moor and at
Poole Lane End.  The pole was shaped and painted by Mr. Poulter and his sons and men
and it was raised by a hand winch and ropes borrowed from Beningbrough
Hall. At the meeting to audit the accounts, the Rev. Septimus asked Mr.
Poulter to present a statement showing exactly how the £1 given to him
was spent. The statement was handed in later, but needless to say the
exact method of expenditure was not accurately given as Mr. Lupton had
provided accommodation free and the £1 had been spent on liquid
refreshment. This account was given to me verbally by Mr. John Poulter
son of the above who followed his father as village joiner.