Ascholdinger Burschenverein steals maypole in Thanning according to old tradition

Created: 04/22/2022, 18:00

By: Victoria Gray

Successful yield: The Ascholdinger lads' association with the Maypole of the Thanningers.

© Burschenverein

Ascholding/Thanning – It's been a long time: In 2002, the boys from Ascholding tried in vain to steal the maypole from their neighbors in Thanning.

Last weekend, the boys' club struck again - this time with success.

"It was long overdue," says Wolfgang Sobotta, former chairman of the Ascholding boys' association.

He was there when forty members of the association ambushed Thanning on the night between Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, waiting for the ideal opportunity.

It seemed to open at half past six in the morning.

"There was no one to be seen from the maypole guard far and wide," reports Sobotta.

It was about time, because by then the boys had been holding out in their hiding place in the cold for a good three hours.

From that point on, things went pretty quickly.

Everyone pitched in to hoist the 33 meter long maypole onto the tree trailer they had brought with them.

A good piece of work, because the tree was already "sporty difficult", as Sobotta remembers.

The maypole thieves then fled home as quickly as possible with a 33-meter tree in their luggage.

Sporty recorded

Almost seven kilometers had to be covered as inconspicuously as possible.

The thrill of the first two kilometers was probably the greatest.

According to Sobotta, they were needed to reach the Ascholding town limits.

“The tree only belongs to us when we are in our own village,” he explains.

It was different back then when the Ascholdingers were caught stealing by the Thanninger maypole guard in 2002 before they had reached the border.

Fortunately, the reaction of the robbed was very peaceful.

“They took it up in a sporty way.

That's not always the case,” laughs Sobotta.

Finally, they agreed on a fair trigger: At a party where the two boys' clubs come together, the Thanninger must provide 200 liters of beer and a snack.

"We bring the brass band with us," says Sobotta.

In the meantime, the Ascholdingers have transported the maypole back to the neighbors' guard hut.

Until May 1st, however, the Ascholdinger lads will now have to be extremely vigilant.

The danger that the Thanninger will fight back is rarely greater.

"We have strengthened our guard," assures the former chairman.