MORRIS dancers and villagers held a May Day dance of defiance around a village maypole, after a council said the colourful 50-foot-high pole broke planning rules.

And the businessman whose land it sits on at the entrance to Bream says he will be fighting to keep it, following a single complaint from a neighbour.

Bill Parker, who owns the 15th-Century New Inn house at the Lydney Road/High Street crossroads, says he will take it down temporarily, but May Day and maypole dancing are “here to stay.”

The brainchild of Bream Gardening Society, the maypole went up again in 2016, 90 years after the old one was removed from the junction just yards away.

Bill, wearing a traditional ‘Green Man’ coat with medieval writing and bells made by Bream Gardening Society’s Di Standing, said: “Unfortunately one person complained, and the council say I should have had planning permission and listed building consent.

“I understand it’s their job to investigate, but it’s sad that one complaint can put at risk such a long-standing tradition which is so much fun.

“This is the traditional maypole area in the old part of the village. The maypole was sited just yards away at the junction, and Maypole Cottage is just over the road, and the Maypole estate over there.

“I’m going to take it down after this, but I’m hoping I can then get everyone onside and put it up again. If necessary, I’ll apply for planning permission.

“But you can see how wonderful, spontaneous and genuine this event is, with the Forest of Dean Morris men dancing, and whatever happens, I’ll be putting the maypole back up in time for next year’s May Day.

“These celebrations are here to stay now, and next year’s will be even bigger.”

Part of his land was turned into a green open space, and the pine maypole erected in time for 2016’s May Day.

Sadly for Bill, Bream Primary School turned down the chance to dance, on the grounds that it was “too dangerous”.

But he added: “I’m delighted that we have the Morris men here today and some more dancing tonight. The green space on the corner of the junction is a prominent location in the village and is great for events like this.

“I’ve just had the beams dated in the house, which was built for a Bristol merchant, and the wood was cut in 1480, as old as maypole dancing and this wonderful tradition of Morris dancing, which would have taken place here back then, in the centre of old Bream.

“The space housed the old police station and shops around a century ago, but is now a green space perfect for the maypole and celebrating May Day, one of the great English, and indeed European, traditions. It’s brilliant, look at the colours in the sunshine,” added Bill, who repairs steam engines at his Flour Mill business.

A Forest of Dean Council spokesperson said: “The maypole is currently being investigated by our planning enforcement team. No decisions have been made.”

There used to be as many as 18 maypoles in the Forest, but Forest Morris squire, Stuart Cox, said: “We’re supporting the event today as there aren’t many maypoles left, and it should remain. It’s great fun, it’s colourful and keeps the old traditions going.

“I don’t see how anyone can really complain about it, and hopefully it can get retrospective planning permission.”

Margaret Kidby, of Bream Gardening Society, added: “It would be a real shame if it had to go after so many people have worked so hard to put it up again. It’s attractive and dancing around the maypole on May Day is a wonderful tradition, which is worth keeping.”

Janet Dowell said: “I understand the council has job to do, but it’s lovely that Bill is helping keep the old traditions alive. I hope there can be some sort of solution found.”

Geoff Davis, who archives old Forest photos on his SunGreen website, added: “It’s great to have the maypole back at the entrance to the village, where visitors can see it passing by, and to have it being danced around on May Day morning.

“I’m putting together a Foresters’ Forest heritage walk around Bream, and this is definitely a location that will be included, so it would be a real shame to see the maypole go.”

Marilyn Cox said it was “very important” to have the maypole, to try and keep the traditions going and to introduce them to young people.

David Evans added: “I was a reading a report from an old paper the other day that said the maypoles were a big attraction in the Forest in the 1700s. It would be a shame if one person stops this long-standing tradition. I hope common sense can find a way through.”