A MAYPOLE which has mysteriously appeared in Burnsall could rekindle a feud dating back more than 200 years.

Fingers of suspicion were being pointed at the neighbouring tiny hamlet of Thorpe this week, after what villagers have called an "apology for a maypole" sprung up on the village green.

The original 66ft traditional maypole blew down in the high winds over Christmas. But to the surprise of villagers, a new "imposter" - not even half the size of the original - mysteriously appeared overnight on the village green soon after.

The Herald's Burnsall correspondant, Edwin Williams, raised the alarm over the strange goings-on, which he said were the continuation of a fued dating back to the 19th century.

It all started in 1804 when the theft of a maypole from Burnsall was blamed on Thorpe, which was also blamed for throwing it in the ditch.

The feud was revived when the maypole went missing from the green in 1991, just before the May Day celebrations.

The next morning, the very same maypole was discovered standing proudly in neighbouring Thorpe. Such was the outcry that the story even made the national newspapers.

Now, this most recent incident has puzzled villagers in Burnsall once more. And they are surprised that the residents of Thorpe would have the cheek to erect such a "pathetic" maypole on the green

Mr Williams told the Herald: "Obviously no one is going to own up to putting it up. It is only a tiny little thing, in fact it's an apology for a maypole - a disgrace!

"It will just have to stay there now until we can get the other one up. If no one comes to get it though we'll have no choice but to throw it in the river."

He added that rumours were circulating through the village implicating two suspects - Thorpe and a second neighbouring village, Appletreewick.

"I was up in Appletreewick the other night discussing the maypole with the landlord of The New Inn and he said we hadn't seen anything yet and gave me a large wink," added Mr Williams.

Fred Bower, the elder of the village, who must have heard it all before, said: "I have no idea where it came from, but it is all just a bit of fun. Burnsall and Thorpe have always got on very well."

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