Maypole Teachers

If you have a general enquiry about Maypole dance and need help with anything from our published book please contact Diana, the Education Manager at Cecil Sharp House on diana@efdss.org.

If you want a local contact to help you with teaching Maypole dance please find the person who lives closest to you and contact them directly using the list below.

Lynden Bowen,
Elm Cottage,
Romsey Road,
Cadnam,
Hampshire SO40 2NN

tel: 02380 813 561
fax: 02380 813 561
lynden.bowen@talk21.com

Lynden has been teaching Maypole dancing for at least fifteen years. She can work with recorded or live music; sometimes accompanying dancers herself on the accordion. She is a qualified teacher and adult education tutor. Lynden has her own Maypole and has worked with both adults and children including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Lynden's husband Clive has made several interesting home made maypoles and should you wish to discuss making a maypole he would be happy to chat to you

Audrey Clarke,
60 Pendle Hill,
Cannock,
Staffordshire WS12 5LW

tel: 01543 877 654

Audrey is an experienced teacher of Maypole dancing. She has participated in Maypole events in Staffordshire, including the Lichfield Folk Festival, and has worked extensively with young people.

Sean Goddard,
142 Hollingbury Road,
Brighton BN1 7JD

tel: 01273 559 107
s.p.goddard@sussex.ac.uk

Sean is happy working with all ages. He has experience teaching and judging for The Guides. He also teaches Sword Dancing.

Helen Goodwin,
39 Fairview Drive,
Higham (nr. Rochester),
Kent ME3 7BG

tel: 01474 823 617

Helen organises school projects with other folk animateurs under the group name of 'Step Hop'. She is happy to teach Maypole traditions both in and out of school to children and adults.

Jan Guyatt,
75 Bridgewater Road,
Berkhamstead,
Hertfordshire HP4 1JB

tel: 01442 862 545

Jan is an experienced Ceilidh Caller with a background in historical dance. She has been teaching Maypole traditions for some time.

Gill Ireland,
69 Lewes Road,
Ditchling,
Hassocks,
Sussex BN6 8TY

tel: 01273 845 652

Gill is a retired school teacher with experience of working with children of all ages. She also visits the Leeds area regularly and would be happy to work here when convenient.

Joy Parkhouse,
26 Heathville Road,
Gloucester GL1 3DS

tel: 01452 522 896

Joy is an experienced musician and teacher of Maypole and Country Dance. Joy and Lionel Parkhouse organise a very successful annual schools festival.

Patsy Paterson,
6 The Chestnuts,
Countestorpe,
Leicester LE8 5TL

tel: 0116 277 6259

Patsy has connections with the Camping Club Folk Dance Group, the Hobby Horse Club and the local EFDSS group in Leicestershire. She is an experienced and knowledgeable teacher of Maypole traditions.

Gwen Poole,
43 Saville Crescent,
Wroughton,
Wiltshire SN4 9JG

tel: 01793 813 573

Gwen organises the very popular Maypole workshops at Chippenham Festival and is a very experienced Maypole teacher.

Stephen Rowley
Tanronen
Lurks Lane
Pitchcombe
Stroud
GL6 6LL

01453 763181
steve@artension.com

As well as Maypole dance, Stephen can provide a wide range of exciting of folk and world music, dance and song workshops. Some of the workshops are especially effective at engaging boys in singing and dancing, including sailor's hornpipes, Morris, sword, medieval, Caribbean, shanties, folk song, and blues.

Mike Ruff,
140 Beechwood Ave
St Albans
AL1 4XY

tel. 01727 831917
www.tradamis.co.uk

Mike is a seasoned musician and folk animateur. He has his own Maypole and is willing to travel. Teaching Maypole dancing is a speciality.

Christopher Smith

tel: 01628 633051
email: patsy_asmith@hotmail.com

I have lead maypole sessions in several Berkshire schools, preparing children for summer fetes and demonstrations at the Maidenhead Carnival. I also help to organise the annual 'Folk for Berkshire' days. One of the sessions involves synchronised dancing around three maypoles for 72 children!

Gillian Stephens,
15 Forestside Gardens,
Ringwood,
Hampshire BH24 1SZ

tel: 01425 475 188

Gillian has her own Maypole and is an experienced teacher of Maypole dance for schools and brownie packs.

Chris Turner,
9 Glendale Avenue,
London N22 5HL

tel: 020 8889 0634

Chris is an accomplished dance teacher and musician, equally at ease with children and adults. He is a qualified school teacher and can provide his own Maypole.

Pat Taylor
193, Farm View Road,
Rotherham,
South Yorkshire. S61 2BL

tel: 01709 556172
email: pat@skynet.co.uk

I am now retired but for many years taught Maypole Dancing at the local school where I worked. Since then, I have taught a Maypole Workshop, organised by South Riding Folk Network for local teachers, in Sheffield.

Rene Welch,
Little Shambles,
17 Church End,
Gamblingay (nr. Sandy),
Bedfordshire SG19 3EP

tel: 01767 651 899

Rene has been in charge of training children and adults for Ickwell Mayday for many years. She has helped in local villages at May Day revivals and events and she is keen to pass on her knowledge and skills to new generations.

Christine Williamson,
169 Grange Road,
Darlington,
DL1 5NT

tel. 01325 465129

Christine has been teaching maypole dancing here and there every year since 2000, mainly to primary school children, and is happy to travel a reasonable distance in the North Yorkshire/South Durham area.

Norris W. Winstone,
126 Lakenham Road,
Norwich, NR4 6BB

tel: 01603 451 597

Norris is retired and happy to help both adults and children wanting advice about Maypole, Morris and Country Dance. (He is able to play for the dances, however, would need help with transport).