M AYPOLE dancing and the crowning of the May Queen have been part of May celebrations at many schools over the years.

And it is not only pupils and teachers who have been involved – parents and the wider community were often invited to join in the springtime fun.

Picture 1 was taken at St Christopher’s School in Temple Road, Cowley, in 1988, as pupils entertained a large number of spectators. Girls dancing around the maypole wore coloured crepe garlands while the boys wore red neckerchiefs. Joanne Gallery and Emma Bowen, both 11, performed Irish dances and music was provided by Jimmy Gordon, of Rose Hill, on his violin.

East Oxford School has had a long association with May celebrations – it chose May Queens almost every year from 1920 until it closed in 1973.

In 1970, when Picture 2 was taken, Ann Yates smiles happily as she is crowned by her predecessor, Lorraine Grant.

There were also plenty of smiles at Iffley when the village school elected Pat Bensley as May Queen in 1956. She is seen in Picture 3 with her escort, Ernest Horwood, and her attendants.

It was a little crowded in the hall at Botley Primary School with parents and pupils squeezed around the edge, giving just enough room for maypole dancing seen in Picture 4 in 1989.

Julia Gibbs, nine, looking majestic in Picture 5, was crowned with a garland of flowers at Headington Quarry School celebrations – she was the fourth generation of her family to attend the school.

Meanwhile, in 1987, Claire Mitchell, 11, took the honours at Dr South’s School at Islip. She is seen in Picture 6 with her attendant, Alison Kershaw, 10.