Maypoles and Morris Dancers Men are coming to the Museum of East Anglian Life on 5th May 2008.

Why not join us to celebrate the coming of May and the start of springtime by joining in our Annual May Day Celebration.

Throughout the day we will be encouraging all ages to join us in dancing round the Museums Maypole and welcoming the Hageneth Morris Dancers who will dance at 12:30 and 2:30pm. For the children we also have a Green Man hunt around the Museum along with a Green Man mask-making workshop (no need to book).

The East Anglian Traditional Music Trust will also have their collection of dancing jig dolls out, and children and adults are all welcome to come and have a go.

This annual event allows us to make use of one of the most exciting objects in our collection - the Burstall Village Maypole. Dating from the opening of the Burstall Village Hall in 1910, the maypole was provided for the children to dance around. One of the villagers remembers:

"Mrs Cranfield arranged for a dancing instructress and a pianist to come every Saturday afternoon. When she realised how much progress was being made, she and her friends got busy making gay cotton dresses for the girls and smocks for the boys. We were all ready for a Gala Display for the Coronation 1911 (George 5th). Some men and women took part as well, with Country and Morris dances. It was all very gay I remember so well."
(Miss J Wyartt, Burstall - letter dated 22/9/86)

The dances chosen will be simple, and basic instruction will be given on the day.

Why not come along and join in with us, either reliving memories of your childhood or learning about the traditions of May Day for the first time.