The name Gawthorpe derives from Gorky, a Viking chief, and Thorpe was a Viking settlement, but there is evidence to suggest the village may have existed in Roman times.
Gawthorpe holds its annual Mayday celebrations on the first Saturday in May each year and dates back to at least 1875, when a seventy-foot fir tree was purchased through public subscription and erected in time for the Mayday celebrations. The maypole has been replaced several times in its history, the last being in 1986, each time placed on the same spot as the previous one on the village green.
Traditionally the Maypole festivities include a procession through the streets of Gawthorpe and Ossett with the reigning May queen leading the parade on horseback and is followed by her six attendants. The parade includes decorated floats entered by local schools, church organisations and businesses, also children in fancy dress, marching bands and a large contingent of horses and riders. The mayors of Wakefield and Kirklees are also invited to take part along with the local M.Ps.
Other features of the day are the Maypole plaiters, who are all pupils from the local school, a funfair with various rides and stalls and on the following Monday a tea and entertainment are provided for the local old folk.
