President Mrs. Susan Walshaw Secretary Mr Steve Stones Treasurer Mr Steve Stones
Gawthorpe is situated just off the A638 approximately halfway between Junction 40 of the M1 and Dewsbury. It not only holds its annual Mayday celebrations on the FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY EVERY YEAR It also hosts the WORLD COAL CARRYING CHAMPIONSHIPS every Easter Monday. The coal carriying championshipsa are recognised by The Guinness Book of Records and currently sponsored by H. B. CLARKS ( successors ) of WESTGATE BREWERIES, WAKEFIELD.
Gawthorpe itself can be dated back to the Romans and is believed to be named after a Viking Chief called "Gorky ". At the lower end of the village is an earth mound known as Fairy Hill. This is thought to be a Viking burial mound.
It is confirmed that a coal mine was established at Gawthorpe as long ago as 1366 during the reign of Edward III
Maypole dancing itself dates back as far as Richard II in England, and during the reign of Henry VIII reached most of the rural villages including Gawthorpe. Mayday itself became a public holiday until Oliver Cromwell (1649 – 1660) banned May Merrymaking and all such festivities. These were fortunately re-established by Charles II.
The Lords’ Saville and Cardigan owned
the land surrounding Gawthorpe during the reign of Elizabeth I.
In 1850 a local gentleman by the name of Mr. A. Pollard suggested and bought the first recorded permanent Maypole. Previously each year a birch tree from local woods had been cut down and used. The new Maypole, complete with weathercock on top was erected but caused great jealousy and enmity from the neighbouring area of Chickenely. In as much as the Chickenlyites one evening managed to get through the guard which had been put in place and actually saw halfway through the pole before being discovered. A pitched battle ensued in which one man was killed, one crippled for life and several others had scars as mementoes. It was only terminated when the wives and other women folk intervened. A short while later a high wind finished what the Chickenely men had failed to do, and toppled the pole.
During the 1850’s the village of Gawthorpe prospered mainly due the development of the Colliery which at one period employed over 600 men. Whenever any fatal accidents occurred the inquest was held in one of the local inns. The Beehive Inn, The Boot and Shoe or The Shoulder of Mutton.
In April 1875 a suitable new fir tree over 70ft. in height was purchased and brought over from Hull. This was bought through public donations and subscriptions and erected in time for the Mayday celebrations. That same May, The Lady Cardigan owner of extensive lands within the area, built a school on what is now the site of the present Junior & Infants School which stands almost at the entrance to the village.
The current Maypole was erected in 1986 after the previous one ( erected 1953 ) was found on inspection to be unsafe and liable to collapse at any time.
In 1906 the local school children, both boys and girls, were taught the intricate steps of Maypole dancing by Mrs. Stephens a teacher at the school. In 1927 a Miss Green joined the school and assisted in the instruction of the various dance sequences. These consist of one of the most comprehensive plaiting sequences in the country if not the WORLD. These are; Ropes, The Barbers Pole, The Single Plait, The Double Plait, The Spiders Web, The Gypsy’s Tent and The Centenary Polka. It takes approximately six months to teach the dance steps to the dancers, now all girls, and as the seniors leave for secondary school at eleven, they are replaced by 8 / 9 year olds from the earlier years. In this way there is a continuation and approximately half of the girls each year are doing it for the second time.
Initially The Gawthorpe Victoria Prize Band provided the music on the Saturday and Monday when the dancing took place, and also The Gawthorpe Temperance Band, which later became the Gawthorpe Brass Band. However in modern times music has been provided by a single piano loaned specifically for the occasion from the nearest local pub ( The Shoulder of Mutton ). However due to financial constraints for the last four or five years taped music has had to be used.
The procession route is approximately 4 1/2 miles with a 20 / 30 minute break at the halfway point. The procession itself consists of decorated floats, normally based on a given theme, (1998’s theme was the Football World Cup) (1999’s theme is the procession through the years.), entered by local schools, church organisations and manufacturing companies. Children in a variety of fancy dress costumes, Marching Bands, Majorettes, Horses along with various other competitors and of course the May Queen and her attendants. There is also a Funfair, provided by " Robinsons for more than 100 years ", within walking distance which has the various rides and usual type of entertainment associated with them.
The local dignitaries normally invited to partake in the procession are the Mayors of Wakefield MDC and Kirklees MDC. Also the local MPs for the same two areas are invited to attend. Along with the various councillors for the area.
Due to Mayday only recently being reinstalled as a public holiday the celebration actually takes place on the first Saturday in May whilst on the Monday following a treat is provided for the local old folks. This has normally meant providing a tea and some sort of concert / entertainment for them. For those unable to make it to that particular venue, Committee
volunteers deliver approximately 200 plated teas to their homes as necessary.
We are always looking for new sponsors to help boost the funds needed to continue with a local tradition, which over the years has become a source of pride and identity for the village. A tradition that dates back over a hundred years, may, without a fresh input of sponsors and contributions be in real danger of becoming defunct.
Unfortunately the entire concept of the Mayday Celebrations, The World Coal Carrying Championships and The Pensioners Treat could cease to exist due to lack of funding and support from within the community as a whole.