British Heritage - what is it - where has it gone?

I was in the post office this morning my 2 year old girl doing turns about the queing posts. An elderly lady commented that she would look lovely dancing round the May Pole, then corrected herself.

They don't do that anymore. It isn't allowed. Not 100% on why?

Why are the old customs dying off in favour of foreign festivals. Don't get me wrong - I am a huge fan of religious education and it helping to stop racism that some faiths suffer - but at what cost?

The old customs of the British Isles are been forced into oblivion because of some over politically correct paper pusher.

I want to see my daughter with ribbons and summer dresses dancing round the may pole. I would love it if she was ever crowned May Day Queen - my gran - A Catholic was crowned May Day Queen when she was a girl. Surely that is acceptable??

Moon Maiden

:? No Maypole dancing??! Sorry if I'm being naive but exactly who, or what could maypole dancing offend???

The theory I heard was that the whole custom is based round a fertility festival. And that the maypole is a phalic representation and that it is wholely inappropriate to have young children dancing round a p**is.

My historical reference on this is off - I may go looking.

Moon Maiden

What happened to the Whitsuntide processions too. Gone the same way as Maypole dancing.I vividly remember the excitement as a little girl of shopping for new clothes. The matching dress and coat ,white ankle socks, white patent handbag and posh hat. On whit Sunday it was up early into the new clothes and off to the procession which ended at the park in Firth Park where we would sing hymns. As I got older I would march in my Brownie then Guide uniform. The best year was when I was chosen to carry the flag. Also the Star Walk. That is not what it used to be. The streets used to be lined with people watching. We would take cans of pop or bottles of water or ice lollies to give to the brave walkers and then we would have races etc in pub carparks. It was an all round fun day. Tradition is dead in this country.

My kids have been doing maypole dancing for the last few years at our village fete. They love it.

Yeah Whitsuntide - I can remember going whitsinging in Meersbrook Park, there used to be loads of people there.

Now its a few tinnies and the barbie out on a Bank Holiday Monday, nothing wrong with progress there then.

We used to have to do maypole dancing and country dancing at school.

Originally posted by "Moon Maiden"

The theory I heard was that the whole custom is based round a fertility festival. And that the maypole is a phalic representation and that it is wholely inappropriate to have young children dancing round a p**is.
That's one of the biggest loads of %*&@ Ive ever heard!!!
What about easter eggs...they're also a symbol of fertility...lets ban them too

Did you hear the rumour on the net not so long ago - that they planned to ban Hot Cross buns in school - in case they upset non-christian families???

Apparently it was a hoaz but it wouldn't supprise me if they did decide to do it.

Moon Maiden

In this political correct, obsessional age where everything is considered obscene and we are not allowed to look at little children without being accused of harbouring immoral thoughts.

A maypole represent's a phallic symbol and therefore is considered unsuitable for little girls to dance around, personally I think this is ludicrous and an example of the twisted thinking that is around today.

Little children have been dancing around the maypole for centuries without coming to any harm, my little niece was the may queen whilst in the church and it didn't harm her, she was so happy and excited and she looked lovely.

There are too many perverts and crackpot's around these days with wooly thinking always spouting some outlandish theory's that originate in there own tiny minds, unfortunately the government listen to these idiot's and decide to act on their advice.

We should go back to the old days when children were allowed their innocence and enjoy their youth without having the MODERN theories rammed dopwn their throats.

Like moon maiden says, the hot cross bun thing was a hoax.

Can someone tell me who has banned dancing round a maypole? Is it now illegal? Can I get a licence?

A lot of people get up a good head of steam when they hear something that panders to their prejudices of what constitutes politically correct nonsense.

It pays dividends to check the story rather than just howling about something that may never have happened at all.

As to whether it has been 'officially' banned or simply frowned upon greatly by the powers that be in education is unclear.

However how many schools do you know have an annual May event? The number I know of has depleted steadily over the years.

Moon Maiden

just wait, first it's the maypole, next its the burning peeps in straw men...

oops, been watching the wicker man... ;-/

PCness in this country has gone round the bend, and it all panders to the christian religion, anything else is bad.

like pagan is a dirty word more places...

actually there are many people who would be classed as 'pagan' refuseing to be called so because it is becoming offensive.

I prefer Heathen myself :D and a proper one too not being christianed either.

Moon Maiden

It still goes on in our villages.

School girls in South Yorkshire seem more interested in getting pregnant to access the housing market.

Maggie opened up home ownership for the masses, Tony took it away from 1st time buyers

Actually, A J Crowley,

I'd say that a lot of PCness doesn't automatically support the Christian faith. Many people who are committed Christians would say that they feel threatened by the PC Police.

Much of PCness appears to be directed towards secularising much of society and / or taking away anything that may upset any minority group.

If you consider the efforts that have been made in many schools to remove overtly Christian worship from the school (whether right or wrong is another issue) then it can hardly be said that PCness supports Christianity.

Joe

Good grief - this one been brought up from the depths....

I have to agree with Joe....bias towards any particular faith is a no no...

Moon