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/
2012 Hasting Jack-in-the-Green
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.
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
ANNUAL EVENTS 2011
As May draws closer a quick reminder that the list of events that feature the Jack-in-the-Green and the Green Man during May is growing every year. The list below is our current list for May but we are always extremely grateful to hear of any others that we may have missed including those outside of the UK. Details will always be as up to date as possible on the annual events pages of the website at www.thecompanyofthegreenman.co.uk
This blog has a worldwide readership so don’t hesitate to drop us a line. I’ve included links to as many of the below as possible as some have not fixed their dates as yet. If you would like to add details of an event here please e-mail us at greenman@virgin.net
Please go out and support your nearest Jack and join in the wonderful and magical event, then send us in your pictures and experiences of the event.
Bristol Jack in the Green Saturday 7th May
The Bristol Jack in the Green appears on the first Saturday in May starting from the historic Harbourside (outside the Arnolfini) and leads a magical procession through the streets of Bristol eventually ending the day on Horfield Common where he dies to release the spirit of summer.
Bristol Jack in the Green
Rochester Sweeps Festival and Jack-in-the-Green 30th April – 2nd May
The Rochester Sweeps festival still has a Jack in the Green Ceremony where the Jack is awoken on Blue Bell Hill on May Morning and is paraded through the streets during the three day festival attended by hundreds of Morris Teams
Rochester Sweeps Festival
Hasting Jack-in-the-Green Festival Monday 29th April – 2nd May
The Hastings Jack-in-the-Green festival was revived by Keith Leech in 1983 and is now one of the biggest annual gatherings of Morris Dancers in the country. The Jack is “released” every year and is central to the festival.
Hastings Jack-in-the-Green Festival
Deptford Jack-in-the-Green Sunday 1st May
The Fowlers Troop Jack in the Green goes out on the streets of South East London or the City of London every May Day
Deptford Jack in the Green
Brentham May Day and Jack-in-the-Green Saturday 14th May
Brentham has a big celebration every May which includes a Jack in the Green described as a walking talking bush who sometimes parades barefoot.
Brentham Jack in the Green
Knutsford May Day and Jack-in-the-Green
The Knutsford Jack in the Green is probably the oldest continual annual Jack in the Green. Apart from the war years it has paraded every year since 1890. May Day in Knutsford is celebrated over the May Bank holiday weekend..
Knutsford Jack in the Green
City of London Jack-in-the-Green
The City of London Jack-in-the-Green appears in the City on May Day (but only when May Day falls on a City working day, when it falls on a weekend he may sometimes be spotted elsewhere)
City of London Jack in the Green
Oxford Jack-in-the-Green Sunday 1st May
The Oxford Jack-in-the-Green appears in Oxford on May Morning. OUMM (Oxford University Morris Men) introduced Jack-in-the-Green to their May Morning festivities in 1951. At that time they were unaware that a Jack-in-the-Green was a common sight in and around Oxford in the 19th century. The Oxford Jack is usually first seen near Magdalen Tower just before 6am and leads an informal procession up ‘The High’ to Radcliffe Square, where the first dance of the day: “Bonny Green” from Bucknell, starts at about 6.25am.
Oxford Jack in the Green
Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green Monday 2nd May
Jack-in-the-Green was revived for the Whitstable Folk Festival in 1976 and is now central to the Whitstable May Day celebrations. The Jack is supported by Oyster Morris who also have their own Green Man who combines the roles of Jester and announcer dressed in white and green.
Whitstable Jack in the Green
Ilfracombe Jack-in-the-Green 2nd – 3rd May 2011
Ilfracombes Jack-in-the-Green Parades on the first May bank holiday. A procession starts at approximately 11am winds its way through the High Street, along the sea front towards the harbour area. The Ilfracombe Jack finishes with the release of the spirit of summer and the distribution of leaves on Ilfracombe Pier.
Ilfracombe Jack in the Green
Highworth Jack-in-the-Green
Highworth (Wiltshire) has a Jack in the Green that parades through the town in early May each year as part of their Medieval Market.
Beltane Bash Monday
Originally scheduled for Monday 30th May, but sadly due to the passing of one of the organisers it may not go ahead this year. Please check the website for the latest information.
The parade normally starts from the Conway Hall Red Lion Square London WC1 at 10:30 Led by traditional giants, the Jack-in-the-Green, Thor & Holda, Herne and Andred, Naughty Fairies and The Bogies.
Beltane Bash
Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival
Edinburgh’s Beltane festival traditionally takes place on the 30th of April every year on Calton Hill. The Green Man begins in a dormant and inactive state in the form of the old Horned God, until he ‘dies’ when he touches the May Queen. Her Handmaidens tear his garments from him and he is ‘reborn’ as the young Green Man with a wild exhilarating dance that celebrates his youth and the new summer.
Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival
Clun Green Man Festival
The Clun Green Man Festival is a springtime festival, held over three days usually on the first May Bank Holiday of the year. The Festival takes place in the picturesque town of Clun in South Shropshire and features a modern interpretation of the Green Man
Clun Green Man Festival
Jack in the Green
Had to re-produce this at some point as I’m aware that there are some generations out there who sadly may not have heard of Jethro Tull (I can proudly say I once saw them play live, I was of course very young!)
These are the lyrics to their wonderful Jack in the Green, from the album Songs from the Wood. If you would like to hear how it sounds there’s a link to it on our You Tube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/cotgm
Jack in the Green
Have you seen Jack-In-The-Green?
With his long tail hanging down.
He quietly sits under every tree
in the folds of his velvet gown.
He drinks from the empty acorn cup
the dew that dawn sweetly bestows.
And taps his cane upon the ground
signals the snowdrops it’s time to grow.
It’s no fun being Jack-In-The-Green
no place to dance, no time for song.
He wears the colours of the summer soldier
carries the green flag all the winter long.
Jack, do you never sleep
does the green still run deep in your heart?
Or will these changing times,
motorways, powerlines,
keep us apart?
Well, I don’t think so
I saw some grass growing through the pavements today.
The rowan, the oak and the holly tree
are the charges left for you to groom.
Each blade of grass whispers Jack-In-The-Green.
Oh Jack, please help me through my winter’s night.
And we are the berries on the holly tree.
Oh, the mistlethrush is coming.
Jack, put out the light.
Jacks-in-the-Green 2010
This year at least fourteen Jacks-in-the-Green were awoken and paraded through the streets (or woodlands) of England. These included the following:
- Oxford Jack-in-the-Green
- Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green
- Rochester Jack-in-the-Green
- Hastings Traditional Jack-in-the-Green
- Deptford Jack-in-the-Green
- City of London Jack-in-the-Green
- Bristol Jack in the Green
- Ilfracombe Jack-in-the-Green
- Knutsford Jack-in-the-Green
- Brentham Jack-in-the-Green
- London Jack-in-the-Green (Beltane Bash)
- Highworth Jack-in-the-Green
- High Wycombe Jack-in-the-Green
- And a Jack in private woodlands in Sussex
If anyone knows of any we have missed please let us know at greenman@virgin.net
The Hastings Jack-in-the-Green
First picture of the Hastings Jack-in-the-Green taken at the fantastic event earlier today. Plenty more to follow soon.
Merry May Day to one and all!
At the time this post appears, as the sun rises just after 5:30 on May 1st 2010 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.
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
Jack-in-the-Green Awakens!
The Bristol Jack in the Green
Less than a week to go before Jack-in-the-Green awakens across Britain. Don’t miss out on this wonderful and magical annual tradition, go out and support your nearest Jack and then send us in your pictures and experiences of the event to share with others. I’m going to see the Hastings Jack on Monday this year, so if you spot a tall bloke with a green man T-shirt and a camera ask him if he’s me. If he is he might just buy you a drink! Details and links to the websites of each Jack (if available) are detailed below:
Bristol Jack in the Green Saturday 1st May 2010
The Bristol Jack in the Green appears on the first Saturday in May starting from the historic Harbourside (outside the Arnolfini) and leads a magical procession through the streets of Bristol eventually ending the day on Horfield Common where he dies to release the spirit of summer. For pictures of the 2009 Bristol Jack in the Green visit our flickr site
Bristol Jack in the Green
Rochester Sweeps Festival and Jack-in-the-Green
The Rochester Sweeps festival still has a Jack in the Green Ceremony where the Jack is awoken on Blue Bell Hill on May Morning and is paraded through the streets during the three day festival attended by hundreds of Morris Teams
Rochester Sweeps Festival
Hasting Jack-in-the-Green Festival April 30th – 3rd May 2010
The Hastings Jack-in-the-Green festival was revived by Keith Leech in 1983 and is now one of the biggest annual gatherings of Morris Dancers in the country. The Jack is “released” every year and is central to the festival.
Hastings Jack-in-the-Green Festival
Deptford Jack-in-the-Green May 1st 2010
The Fowlers Troop Jack in the Green goes out on the streets of South East London or the City of London every May Day
Deptford Jack in the Green
Brentham May Day and Jack-in-the-Green
Brentham has a big celebration every May which includes a Jack in the Green
Brentham Jack in the Green
Knutsford May Day and Jack-in-the-Green
May Day in Knutsford is celebrated over the May Bank holiday weekend. The main focus is the May Queen but there is a Jack in the Green
Knutsford Jack in the Green
City of London Jack-in-the-Green
The City of London Jack-in-the-Green appears in the City on May Day
City of London Jack in the Green
Oxford Jack-in-the-Green
A Jack in the Green who appears in Oxford on May Day
Oxford Jack in the Green
Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green
Oyster Morris organise the Whitstable Jack
Whitstable Jack in the Green
For more details and links to the web sites for each of these and other upcoming green man related events go to www.thecompanyofthegreenman.co.uk and look at the annual events page.
If you would like to add details of a Jack-in-the-Green here please e-mail us greenman@virgin.net
