OVINGTON’S historic maypole has been turned into a massive tribute to the efforts of the NHS and key workers during the coronavirus crisis.
A 10ft by 5ft flag, which features the NHS logo and a rainbow, has been hoisted on the grade II-listed maypole.
The idea was posted on the village’s Facebook group and its £90 cost was covered by the parish councillors. Cllr Peter Levett said: “We put three designs up and people wanted this one. We preferred this particular flag because it mentions all key workers, as well as the NHS. It took quite a while to get one because of the current circumstances.”
The flag was ordered on April 18 and arrived in time to be erected before the NHS clap last Thursday
Cllr Levett said spirits in the village was high despite the lockdown. He added: “It is a great community. Everyone is looking after each other. Overall, it is an elderly population so we have vulnerable people.”
The village is also planning to celebrate VE Day with people maintaining safe distances.
Cllr Levett will be bringing out his PA system and playing Vera Lynn songs while people gather in their front gardens for tea and a chat over garden fences. The village maypole was erected in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee.
