High Wycombe Jack-in-the-Green 2012
Despite the horrible weather and deep mud The High Wycombe Jack-in-the-Green went out and about on 1st May 2012. Our Thanks to Thorskegga Thorn for a great Picture despite the downpour
Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green 2012
The Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green went out on Monday 7th May 2012. The Jack was supported as always by Oyster Morris. Our congratulations to Dixie Lee who revived the procession in 1976 and was presented with a wonderful wooden plaque to commemorate her retirement. I had hoped to make it to Whitstable myself this year but sadly the bank holiday traffic put a stop to that!…next year! I’m extremely grateful to Quentin Fletcher for giving us permission to reproduce his wonderful pictures of the Whitstable Jack for another year.
Winchcombe Jack-in-the-Green 2012
The Winchcombe (Gloucestershire) Jack-in-the-Green paraded through the streets of Winchombe on Saturday 5th May 2012. The Winchcombe Jack was revived on August 31st 2009 as part of “Marking the Year.” A Jack was recorded as visiting a local school by Emma Dent of Sudeley Castle in the 1890’s. The Jack was then resurrected for May Day 2010 and a local May bank holiday village fete and now appears every year
Many thanks to Jackie Surtees for allowing us to reproduce this picture
Tunbridge Wells Jack-in-the-Green 2012
I am really pleased to be able to confirm that the Tunbridge Wells Jack-in-the-Green went out in Tunbridge Wells town centre with a crown of May blossom at around 10:30am on Saturday 5th May 2012. Jack led a procession around the commons of Rusthall and Tunbridge Wells and then was slain to release the spirit of summer. He was accompanied by a number of drums and was flanked by a red flag and a flag of Kent. It was great to confirm this Jack as I had been led to believe that it had only appeared for one year but I can now report that this was the fourth consecutive year for the Tunbridge Wells Jack-in-the-Green (our website details will updated shortly)
Hastings Jack-in-the-Green 2012
The Hastings Jack-in-the-Green was released this morning from the Fisherman’s Museum in Rock-a-Nore Rd and paraded through the town of Hastings joined by the City of London Jack-in-the-Green, the Fowlers Troop Jack-in-the-Green and a vast array of Bogies and other followers in celebration of the Hasting’s Jacks 30th Anniversary. Many more pictures to follow on our Flickr site soon. sadly I didn’t manage to get away in time to visit the Whitstable Jack and would dearly love some pictures if possible. I would also like to hear from anyone who can give me confirmation of sightings or pictures of any other Jacks that went out this year including:
The Guildford Jack-in-the-Green
The Brentham Jack-in-the-Green
The Knutsford Jack-in-the-Green
The Oxford Jack-in-the-Green
The Winchcombe Jack-in-the-Green
The Ilfracombe Jack-in-the-Green
The Tunbridge Wells Jack-in-the-Green
The High Wycombe Jack-in-the-Green
The Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green
City of London Jack-in-the-Green 2012
I believe (but would love confirmation) that the City opf London Jack-in-the-Green was out and about in the City on May 1st. Jack also joined the Fowlers troop Jack and the Hastings Jack in Hastings on 7th May. I attempted to catch the City of London Jack as it left the Fisherman’s Museum prior to the Hasting’s Jacks release to find out more but due to it’s extremely speedy nature and habit of running off at high speed whilst shouting “bogie, bogie, bogie” I failed miserably. More pictures soon on our Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecompanyofthegreenman/
Deptford Jack-in-the-Green 2012
The Fowlers Troop Jack-in-the-Green went out in the Borough & City of London on May 1st. The Fowlers Troop and Jack also joined the Hastings Jack-in-the-Green and the City of London Jack-in-the-Green for the Hastings Jack’s 30th Celebrations on May 7th (Lots more pictures to follow soon on our flickr pages http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecompanyofthegreenman/
Bristol Jack-in-the-Green 2012
The Bristol Jack in the Green appeared from his new location just across the river from the Arnolfini at the fantastic new M Shed at Bristol Harbourside on the Morning of May 5th. He was awoken by musicians and dancers and his attendants then led him on a fabulous procession through the streets of Bristol. he arrived at Horfield on the outskirts of Bristol at 4pm where he died to release the spirit of summer. Another fantastic day with the Bristol Jack, my thanks to all involved for keeping this wonderful event so vibrant and magical for all. Many more pictures of all the Jacks will be posted on our Flickr site over the coming weeks, you can access the Flickr site from www.thecompanyofthegreenman.co.uk
My next stop…Hastings on Monday 7th May to see the Hastings Jack awoken
Highworth Jack-in-the-Green 2012
The Highworth Jack-in-the-Green took part in the Highworth May Market in Highworths Main Street on Saturday 5th May. The sun put in an appearance and Jacks magic helped to keep the rain away for the May celebrations. My thanks to all involved with the Jack
Rochester (Blue Bell Hill) Jack-in-the-Green 2012
The Rochester (Blue Bell Hill) Jack-in-the-Green was awoken on Blue Bell Hill at Dawn on May morning surrounded by twelve bonfires and a small deluge of rain. My thanks to all those who took part and made for a soggy but magical May 1st and especially to Motley Morris and Gordon Newton for letting me take pictures whilst their tatter jackets absorbed the deluge. Next stops…Bristol and Highworth on May 5th
2012 Hasting Jack-in-the-Green
Brentham Jack-in-the-Green 2011
Brentham Jack-in-the-Green 14th May 2011 © Murray Fortescue
This years Brentham Jack-in-the-Green was once again part of the Brentham May Day festivities and took part in the procession around the garden suburb as it has since 1930
Ilfracombe Jack-in-the-Green 2011
Ilfracombe Jack-in-the-Green 2nd May 2011 © Copyright North Devon Gazette
The Ilfracombe Jack-in-the-Green appeared on Monday 2nd May for the 12th Year. After parading through the Highstreet and dancing on the seafront Jack made his way down to the beach where he was stripped of leaves and the Spirit of Summer was released.
Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green 2011
Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green 2nd May 2011 Copyright © Quentin Fletcher
The Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green was out on May 2nd with Oyster Morris for the 35th consecutive year
Highworth Jack-in-the-Green 2011
Highworth Jack-in-the-Green April 30th 2011 Copyright © Kay Brown
The Highworth Jack-in-the-Green visited Highworth in Wiltshire on the 30th April 2011 and joined the festivities of the medieval market
Winchcombe Jack-in-the-Green 2011
Winchcombe Jack-in-the-Green 1st May 2011 Copyright © Jackie Surtees
The Winchcombe Jack-in-the-Green arose to greet the dawn above Winchcombe on 1st May. He then put in an appearance at the Upton on Severn Morris gathering. He also went to the Woodmancote Fete on 2nd May.
Knutsford Jack-in-the-Green 2011
Knutsford Jack-in-the-Green 7th May 2011 © Andrew Marcliff
The Knutsford Jack-in-the-Green joined the May Day celebrations and procession in Knutsford on 7th May.
Rochester (Blue Bell Hill) Jack-in-the-Green 2011
Rochester (Blue Bell Hill) Jack in the Green May 1st 2011 © Kevin Geraghty-Shewan
The Rochester Jack-in-the-Green was awoken by dancers and sweeps on Blue Bell Hill at Dawn on May morning surrounded by twelve bonfires. he then paraded through Rochester Town as part of the Sweeps Festival on Bank Holiday Monday
Bristol Jack-in-the-Green 2011
Bristol Jack in the Green May 7th 2011 © The Company of the Green Man
The Bristol Jack-in-the-Green appeared on the Historic Harbouside just outside the Arnolfini at 10:30am on Saturday 7th May. he led a magical procession of attendants through the City of Bristol via a number of public houses. Jack finally ended his journey at 4pm on Horfield Common where he died to release the Spirit of Summer
Deptford Jack-in-the-Green 2011
Deptford Jack in the Green May 1st 2011 © The Company of the Green Man
The Deptford Jack-in-the-Green appeared accompanied by Fowlers Troop at approximately 12:30 outside the Ashburnham Arms in Greenwich on Sunday May 1st. He then processed through Greenwich via a number of other public houses including The Mitre, The Star and Garter, The Plume of Feathers and The Tollyshop before returning to the Ashburnham Arms.
Oxford Jack-in-the-Green 2011
Oxford Jack in the Green May 1st 2011 © The Company of the Green Man
The Oxford Jack was seen near Magdalen Tower just before 6am on Sunday 1st May. After the choir had sung and the blessing given he lead an informal procession up “The High” to Radcliffe Square. At around 06:25 Jack oversaw “Bonny Green” the first dance of the day performed by The Oxford University Morris Men.
Hastings Jack-in-the-Green 2011
Hastings Jack in the Green May 2nd 2011 © The Company of the Green Man
As the sun rose on Bank Holiday Monday Morning the 2nd May twelve Bogies made their way from the hills around Hastings to the sound of drumming. At 09:45 the gathering began and Mad Jack’s Morris, the Sweeps, the Giants, Hannah’s Cat Morris the Gay Bogies and a huge crowd of onlookers awaited Jacks release. The Hastings Jack-in-the-Green was released from the Fisherman’s Museum on Rock-a-Nore Road At 10:15 and was escorted through the town by the Bogies. In the early afternoon Jack arrived at the Castle, took pride of place and oversaw proceedings. After the dancing the Bogies paraded Jack down to the stage where he was slain and the spirit of summer was released for another year.
First Jack-in-the-Green Pictures for 2011
First pictures of three Jacks. From left to right Hastings, Deptford (in Greenwich) and Oxford. Hastings was taken today 2nd May and Deptford and Oxford were taken on 1st May. Full size pictures on our Flickr pages at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecompanyofthegreenman lots more to follow soon.
Merry May Day!!
At the exact time that this post appears, as the sun rises just after 5:30 on May 1st 2011 a number of Jack-in -the-Greens will be awoken across the UK. They will parade around towns, villages and cities bringing the summer and “Jacks Magic” with them either on May 1st or in the coming days. I shall be watching (and photographing) the Jacks at Oxford, Deptford/Greenwich, Hastings and Bristol this year. See you there!
A Merry May Day and a Happy Beltaine to one and all!
A Riddle
I am born on May Morning by sticks, bells, and ribbons
I am the sap in the dark root
I am the dancer with his six fools
I am the tump behind the old church
I am the lost soul under the misericord
I am the oak against the stars
I am the face that peers through the leaves
I am the fear in a childs mind
I am the demon on the roof-boss
I am killed in October and laid on church altars
I am the guiser on the bright bonfire
I am the old grain sown with the seed
I am the flame in the pumpkins grin
I am the spirit in the kern-baby’s bosom
