A pole marquee or pole tent is a variety of large tent often used to shelter summer events such as shows, festivals, and weddings. They are particularly associated with typical English country garden weddings.
The simple design has changed little in hundreds of years. A pole marquee consists of a roof canopy supported by tall center poles ("king poles") tensioned using side lines connected to ground pins (or stakes) and smaller supporting poles ("side poles"). The king poles support the bulk of the weight, while the side poles give the fabric shape.
Originally, they were manufactured from cotton canvas covers, wooden poles, and hessian rope but they have been largely replaced with more modern materials. In the United Kingdom, hire companies offer "American-style" pole tents with PVC covers, aluminium poles, and nylon ropes. The introduction of modern fabrics extends the shelf life of the marquees, as they are far more easily maintained. Canvas marquees are still available. Canvas is more breathable, allowing for lower temperatures and humidity inside the marquee; such a marquee is more comfortable in hot summer weather while remaining watertight in the event of rain.
Famous quotes containing the word pole:
“The discovery of the North Pole is one of those realities which could not be avoided. It is the wages which human perseverance pays itself when it thinks that something is taking too long. The world needed a discoverer of the North Pole, and in all areas of social activity, merit was less important here than opportunity.”
—Karl Kraus (1874–1936)