A VILLAGE tradition was revived as a gardening society performed a very appropriate dance at an event they organised to usher in Spring.
“It was a day of fun and an opportunity to bring back to life one of Bream’s great old village traditions,” said Di Standing, one of the team behind the project.
“It was a busy week preparing the maypole. It is a 50ft high Douglas fir, which was repainted and completed with 12 new ribbons.
“Once again local people have rallied round to bring to life the ancient dances associated with Spring as the village maypole was raised once more and erected close to its original location near the former New Inn.
“Members of the village gardening club, the Bream Dibbers, unveiled our special dance ‘Bean Setting’ on the day.
“Richard Parker also brought along his Aveling and Porter six ton traction engine dating back to 1927,” added Di.
“It was pulling a Monmouthshire Council roadsmen’s van, which was found in a farm in Staunton.
“Men lived in the van for a week at a time while they were on repairs.
“It was discovered that they had used old roadsigns to protect the walls from the heat of the stove.
“Among those also celebrating on the day were Forest of Dean Mummers who gave a performance of their latest play.”
The tree for the maypole was grown locally and on the day it was erected by members of the Dibbers.
As well as welcoming in Spring with the maypole event, Bream Gardening Society is planning a show in August.
For more information about the group, visit http://www.bream gardeners.net