The dance is performed by pairs of boys and girls who stand alternately around the base of the pole, each holding the end of a ribbon. They weave in and around each other, boys going one way and girls going the other and the ribbons are woven together around the pole until the merry-makers meet at the base. A maypole is a tall wooden pole erected as a part of various European folk festivals, around which a maypole dance often takes place. The festivals would normally take place on May Day or Pentecost (Whitsun). Here children at Broadwas School are performing the ceremony.