I can vouch for Paul's method, which I have used myself to install poles (for a pergola to support vines, rather than a maypole)  When I did it I also heavily charred the end of the pole in a fire to prevent it rotting -it's important if you do this not to allow it to burn too much! 

Best wishes,

Mike Gogan
The Virtual Experience Company
Regent House
The Parade
Leamington Spa
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-----Original Message-----
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul Baker
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 4:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Maypole madness!

No, it's not a joke. That's the proper way to erect a maypole. It's just that modern humans tend to shy away from heavy labour unless it's done on a machine in a gym, which somehow feels "safe". You can still put your back out if you don't do it right. You could indeed hire in a maypole. But then you'd miss the delights of digging a 2-metre hole in the middle of a June heatwave. :-)

More seriously, I'd have reservations about the safety aspects of any sort of temporary maypole, unless it was guyed, which looks wrong. Anything on a tripod is dodgy, unless it's too light to do damage, in which case it's inherently unstable in the first place.

Best wishes,

Paul Baker
Renaissance Musician, Instrument Maker,
Computer Maestro and lots of other things.
Diabolus in Musica and Midlands Early Music Forum [log in to unmask] www.diabolus.org


----- Original Message -----
From: "rebecca mileham" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 4:05 PM
Subject: Re: Maypole madness!


What about hiring one in (or a group to run it for you) - probably all
pre-risk-assessed.

http://www.eatmt.org.uk/waveney_maypole.htm

http://www.tradamis.co.uk/index.htm

Am hoping this thread is not a joke that I have unwittingly fallen for...

Rebecca.

On 07/06/07, Paul Baker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> I thought I'd reply to the list in case anyone else is thinking of
> following
> suit.
>
> Risk assessments - strangulation by ribbon is pretty unlikely, provided
> the
> children are supervised. The only real danger is the pole falling over.
> I've
> never erected a maypole, but I've done plenty of free-standing posts in my
> time.
>
> You don't need concrete. What you do need is AT LEAST a quarter of the
> total
> length of the pole buried underground, and solidly packed. For a decent
> maypole, typically 4 metres above ground, 1½ metres below. Start by
> removing
> turf from the area where the pole will stand. Now dig the hole, width
> about
> 4-5 times the diameter of the pole, and with vertical sides. A square hole
> is fine, and it's often easier to cut than a round one. Erect the pole in
> the centre of the hole. Get some willing bods to hold it in place, and
> then
> drop rubble - broken bricks, etc - into the hole, in layers, tamping each
> layer down REALLY HARD. Pros use a cast-iron tamper, but a 2 metre fence
> post is a good substitute, provided you wear gloves to avoid splinters.
> Add
> gravel and soil to fill the gaps as you build up the layers. The pole will
> gradually be gripped in a solid rubble foundation, and it won't shift
> without considerable lateral force - more than could reasonably be applied
> with a bit of ribbon.
>
> Now your only problem is getting a 5½ metre pole, preferably tapered. B&Q
> is
> unlikely to be able to supply it. Your best bet would be to contact the
> Forestry Commission or your local wooded estate. A decent length of spruce
> trunk with the bark removed is ideal. Delivery is likely to cost more than
> the timber. Painting on the red and white spiral pattern is the easy bit.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Paul Baker
> Renaissance Musician, Instrument Maker,
> Computer Maestro and lots of other things.
> Diabolus in Musica and Midlands Early Music Forum
> [log in to unmask]
> www.diabolus.org
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Leigh Driver" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 3:26 PM
> Subject: Maypole madness!
>
>
> Hello
> We're holding a midsummer celebration on 23rd June here at the Park and
> wanted to put up a maypole for the children to dance around.
> Risk assessment-wise this has thrown up all sorts of issues such as
> children
> being strangled by ribbon and the whole thing falling over on someone
> causing serious injury!
> Has anyone on the list ever run an event including a maypole and if so can
> you please give me some idea as to how we can do this in the safest way
> possible?
> What is the best method of construction, getting it to stand upright and
> stable without resorting to concrete.
> I remember dancing round a maypole at school 34 years ago - I only wish I
> could remember how the maypole was put together!
> Also - hiring of PA systems - only need a small one and two mics - any
> companies you could recommend?
> Hope you can help.
> Many thanks
> Kind regards
> Leigh
> ___________________________________
> Leigh Driver
> Heritage Education Officer
> Visitor Centre
> Brandon Country Park
> Bury Road
> Brandon
> Suffolk
> IP27 0SU
> 01842 810185
> 07709 236446
> [log in to unmask]
>