Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
A team of five women is preparing to take on a distinctive and challenging event in Irvine’s Marymass celebrations—the greasy pole climb. This contest involves ascending a 25-foot wooden pole coated in grease to claim a prize ham perched at the top. Marking a significant milestone, this marks the first time in nearly three decades that an all-female team will attempt the challenge. To prepare, the group has been training rigorously at climbing centres and a specialized dance and burlesque studio in Kilmarnock, blending excitement and nerves ahead of the event.
Among the participants are Bex Campbell, Ali Wright, and Amanda Jean, all affiliated with a local radio station, Now Ayrshire. Their involvement originated from a casual suggestion at work, which quickly turned into a serious undertaking despite growing apprehension. Ali expressed that though they work at the same station, their schedules rarely overlap. To complete their group, they recruited firefighter Lauren Kerr-McGregor and powerlifter-pro wrestler Kara Weir, who bring strength and experience to the team. Ali humorously remarked on their choice: “You’ll notice they each have more muscles than the rest of us put together.” The team opted against being miked during their attempt, wary of what might be said under pressure.
The greasy pole event holds deep local tradition with an uncertain origin. According to Dillon Green, a Marymass organiser, the prize ham was initially intended to feed the town’s poor, with winners distributing it among the community. Nowadays, the winner parades the ham’s tarp around the festival and local pubs to collect donations for good causes. While some years see successful climbs, others do not, demonstrating the difficulty of the greasy pole. Bex, who grew up attending Marymass, noted the longstanding community fascination with the event, adding that she had never seen an all-women’s team participate before.
Reflecting on the upcoming challenge scheduled for 22 August, the team has been discussing practical matters, including what to wear for the climb. Amanda, from Saltcoats, acknowledged the rarity of women participating in such a physically demanding task, noting that this is part of the appeal. “We wanted to show that women can come together, get out their comfort zones, and give things a go,” she said. The group has received widespread encouragement from the local community, with Ali noting the positive response and absence of negative commentary since the team announced their participation. For team member Kara, events like Marymass remain vital for fostering community spirit, especially as some traditional gatherings have been recently canceled. Despite some doubts about their chances of success, Bex concluded, “It’s going to be a laugh, if nothing else.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.