I've got the first volume. It'a is a collection of newspaper cuttings (helpfully retyped) in Lancashire in the years up to 1900. I've found it a useful resource for seeing how popular maypole dancing was, as well as seeing the typical occasions when NW morris was performed. And as someone who was a Rose Queen mumblety years ago, it's interesting to read about those too. Some of the newspaper descriptions are really long and detailed - some of the processions had an amazing number of groups of all kinds, not just morris dancers, but groups like kazoo bands and all kinds of performers, as well as many trades and professions showcasing themselves.
Some things never change. There's a description of one carnival where the children plaited the maypole, but failed to undo it again! (the 'undo' is always harder in maypole dancing - mistakes don't show much when you're plaiting, but throw you completely when you're undoing it)
This is very much a book for you to do your own research from, it provides the data helpfully sorted by year and with a large index at the back. You can then do your own analysis and draw your own conclusions. ( )