Jack-in-the-Green 2015
For regularly updated information on this years Jack-in-the-Green events please go to the home page.
Not long to go before the traditional Jack-in-the-Green awakes. Below are the most up to date details of this years events. Sadly a few Jacks won’t be going out this year but there will still be plenty of wonderful events taking place. Don’t miss out on this wonderful and magical annual tradition, go out and support your nearest Jack and please send us in your pictures and experiences of the event to share with others. If you know of any events I have missed please do get in touch.
2015 Jack-in-the-Green events
Blue Bell Hill (Rochester Sweeps) Jack-in-the-Green (Friday 1st May)
Jack is awoken by Motley Morris (the custodians of the Jack) and various other Morris sides at dawn on May Morning (approximately 5:32am) at the Bluebell Hill picnic area surrounded by twelve bonfires.
Winchcombe Jack-in-the-Green (Friday 1st May)
The Winchcombe (Gloucestershire) Jack was revived in 2009 as part of “Marking the Year.” The Jack was then resurrected for May Day 2010 and a local May bank holiday village fete and now appears every year. His is awoken at Dawn on May 1st
Oxford Jack-in-the-Green (Friday 1st May)
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.
Deptford Jack-in-the-Green (Friday 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
Bristol Jack in the Green (Saturday 2nd May)
The Bristol Jack in the Green appears on the first Saturday in May starting from the historic Harbourside (outside the M Shed) 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.
Hastings Jack-in-the-Green Festival (1st – 4th May Release of Jack is on Monday 4th 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” from the Fisherman’s Museum on Rock-a-Nore Road every year in a wonderful ceremony and is central to the festival and the parade. At the end of the day Jack is slain to release the spirit of summer.
Hastings Jack-in-the-Green Festival
Guildford Jack-in-the-Green (Saturday 2nd May)
Known as The Guildford Bush, this Jack is accompanied by the Pilgrim Morris Men of Guildford. They commence at 10am at the bottom of the High street and process to Holy Trinity Church with the Maypole. The Maypole is erected on Castle Green and the dancing involving guest Morris sides begins.
Knutsford May Day and Jack-in-the-Green (Saturday 2nd May)
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.
Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green
Jack-in-the-Green 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.
Brentham May Day and Jack-in-the-Green (to be confirmed)
Brentham has a big celebration every May which includes a Jack in the Green described as a walking talking bush who sometimes parades barefoot.
Yaxley (Cambridgeshire) Jack-in-the-Green (Jack will go out again in 2016)
The Yaxley Jack-in-the-Green started in 2013 and lead the Yaxley May parade. He was accompanied by Sap-Engro and Copperface as well as an attendant wearing the original Ancient Order of the Foresters sash, worn in the village’s parades in the nineteenth and early twentieth century and a host of boggarts – the mischievous imps of Fenland lore. This is now a bi-annual event
City of London Jack-in-the-Green (not confirmed)
The City of London Jack-in-the-Green sometimes 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) the City Jack did not parade in 2013 but many of his followers joined the Deptford Jack-in-the-Green.
City of London Jack in the Green
Highworth Jack-in-the-Green (to be confirmed)
Highworth (Wiltshire) has a Jack in the Green that parades through the town in early May each year as part of their Medieval Market.
Tunbridge Wells Jack-in-the-Green (to be confirmed)
The Tunbridge Wells Jack-in-the-Green first went out on 30th April 2010 and was seen out and about beating the bounds in 2011 and 2012.
Tunbridge Wells Jack in the Green
Ilfracombe Jack-in-the-Green (Cancelled for 2015 )
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.
Pagan Pride Parade/Beltane Bash (to be confirmed)
The Beltane Bash / Pagan Pride Parade Jack-in-the-Green has not paraded since 2011. The parade is usually led by traditional giants, the Jack-in-the-Green and Bogies. The Pagan Pride Parade will be taking place in August again this year and I would love to hear from any participants or organisers who might know if a Jack-in-the-Green will be participating.
The Company of the Green Man 
Leave a Reply