Merry May Day 2024!
It is 05:32 and the sun has just risen
Jack-in-the-Green is waking up.
A Merry May Day to you all
From the Company of the Green Man.
A Riddle – Phil Lister
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
Green Man – William Anderson
Like antlers, like veins of the brain, the birches
Mark patterns of mind on the red winter sky;
‘I am thought of all plants’, says the Green Man,
‘I am thought of all plants’, says he.
The hungry birds harry the last berries of rowan
But white is her bark in the darkness of rain;
‘I rise with the sap’, says the Green Man,
‘I rise with the sap’, says he.
The ashes are clashing their bows like sword-dancers
Their black buds are tracing wild faces in the clouds;
‘I come with the wind’, says the Green Man.
‘I come with the wind’, says he.
The alders are rattling as though ready for battle
Guarding the grove where she waits for her lover;
‘I burn with desire’, says the Green Man,
‘I burn with desire’, says he.
In and out of the yellowing wands of the willow
The pollen-bright bees are plundering the catkins;
‘I am honey of love’, says the Green Man,
‘I am honey of love’, says he.
The hedges of quick are thick with May blossom
As the dancers advance on the leaf-covered King;
‘It’s off with my head’, says the Green Man,
‘It’s off with my head’, says he.
Green Man becomes grown man in flames of the oak
As its crown forms its mask and its leafage his features;
‘I speak through the oak’, says the Green Man,
‘I speak through the oak’, says he.
The holly is flowering as hay fields are rolling
Their gleaming long grasses like waves of the sea;
‘I shine with the sun’, says the Green Man,
‘I shine with the sun’, says he.
The hazels are rocking the cups of their nuts
As the harvesters shout when the last sheaf is cut;
‘I swim with the salmon’, says the Green Man,
‘I swim with the salmon’, says he.
The globes of the grapes are robing with bloom
Like the hazes of autumn, like the Milky Way’s stardust;
‘I am crushed for your drink’, says the Green Man,
‘I am crushed for your drink’, says he.
The aspen drops silver of leaves on earth’s salver
And the poplars shed gold on the young ivy flower heads;
‘I have paid for your pleasure’, says the Green Man,
‘I have paid for your pleasure’, says he.
The reedbeds are flanking in silence the islands
Where meditates Wisdom as she waits and waits;
‘I have kept her secret’, says the Green Man,
‘I have kept her secret’, says he.
The bark of the elder makes whistles for children
To call to the deer as they rove over the snow;
‘I am born in the dark’, says the Green Man,
‘I am born in the dark’, says he.
Annual Events 2024
The Snowdrops are in full bloom and that of course means that it’s that time of the year when I begin the task of updating the list of annual events that feature The Traditional Jack-in-the-Green and The Green Man throughout the UK.
The full list is HERE and I will be updating it regularly. Confirmations of events are beginning to come in thick and fast. You will find links to each events own website or Facebook page on our annual events page so that you can check details on times and locations.
Please do get in touch if you are an organiser or follower of a particular event and can confirm that it is going ahead and I will ensure that I promote your event within these pages.
If you are new to these pages and are wondering just what on earth a Jack in the Green is then your whistle stop tour of the history of the Traditional Jack in the Green can be found right HERE.
And everything that you need to know about the modern revived Jacks can be found HERE
My thanks to Hugh Lawrence for permission to use his wonderful picture of last years Bristol Jack in the Green above.
Annual Events 2023 – UPDATE
It’s May Day and all the wonderful annual events that feature The Traditional Jack-in-the-Green and The Green Man have begun throughout the UK.
The updated list of all of this years events can be found HERE You will find links to each event’s own website or Facebook page so that you can check details on times and locations.
If you are new to these pages and are wondering just what on earth a Jack in the Green is then your whistle stop tour of the history of the Traditional Jack in the Green can be found right HERE.
And everything that you need to know about the modern revived Jacks can be found HERE
I’m only one person and sadly can’t visit and photograph every Jack in the Green each year and so I rely upon our members and followers to send me pictures of the Jacks that they spot each year – Please do send me your pictures via our Twitter account or directly via the contact page on this website HERE
Here’s to a fantastic Jack in the Green season!
Merry May Day 2023!
It is 05:32 and the sun has just risen
Jack-in-the-Green is waking up.
A Merry May Day to you all
From the Company of the Green Man.
A Riddle – Phil Lister
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
Green Man – William Anderson
Like antlers, like veins of the brain, the birches
Mark patterns of mind on the red winter sky;
‘I am thought of all plants’, says the Green Man,
‘I am thought of all plants’, says he.
The hungry birds harry the last berries of rowan
But white is her bark in the darkness of rain;
‘I rise with the sap’, says the Green Man,
‘I rise with the sap’, says he.
The ashes are clashing their bows like sword-dancers
Their black buds are tracing wild faces in the clouds;
‘I come with the wind’, says the Green Man.
‘I come with the wind’, says he.
The alders are rattling as though ready for battle
Guarding the grove where she waits for her lover;
‘I burn with desire’, says the Green Man,
‘I burn with desire’, says he.
In and out of the yellowing wands of the willow
The pollen-bright bees are plundering the catkins;
‘I am honey of love’, says the Green Man,
‘I am honey of love’, says he.
The hedges of quick are thick with May blossom
As the dancers advance on the leaf-covered King;
‘It’s off with my head’, says the Green Man,
‘It’s off with my head’, says he.
Green Man becomes grown man in flames of the oak
As its crown forms its mask and its leafage his features;
‘I speak through the oak’, says the Green Man,
‘I speak through the oak’, says he.
The holly is flowering as hay fields are rolling
Their gleaming long grasses like waves of the sea;
‘I shine with the sun’, says the Green Man,
‘I shine with the sun’, says he.
The hazels are rocking the cups of their nuts
As the harvesters shout when the last sheaf is cut;
‘I swim with the salmon’, says the Green Man,
‘I swim with the salmon’, says he.
The globes of the grapes are robing with bloom
Like the hazes of autumn, like the Milky Way’s stardust;
‘I am crushed for your drink’, says the Green Man,
‘I am crushed for your drink’, says he.
The aspen drops silver of leaves on earth’s salver
And the poplars shed gold on the young ivy flower heads;
‘I have paid for your pleasure’, says the Green Man,
‘I have paid for your pleasure’, says he.
The reedbeds are flanking in silence the islands
Where meditates Wisdom as she waits and waits;
‘I have kept her secret’, says the Green Man,
‘I have kept her secret’, says he.
The bark of the elder makes whistles for children
To call to the deer as they rove over the snow;
‘I am born in the dark’, says the Green Man,
‘I am born in the dark’, says he.
Annual Events 2023 – UPDATE
It’s less than a week now until the wonderful annual events that feature The Traditional Jack-in-the-Green and The Green Man begin throughout the UK.
The updated list of all of this years events can be found HERE and there are just a couple of event confirmations left. You will find links to each event’s own website or Facebook page so that you can check details on times and locations.
Please do get in touch if you are an organiser or follower of a particular event and can confirm that it is going ahead and I will ensure that I promote your event within these pages.
And a reminder that it is the Hastings Jack in the Green’s 40th Anniversary this year and all existing Jacks in the Green are formally invited to join the Hastings Jack in the Green for the celebrations.
If you are new to these pages and are wondering just what on earth a Jack in the Green is then your whistle stop tour of the history of the Traditional Jack in the Green can be found right HERE.
And everything that you need to know about the modern revived Jacks can be found HERE
I’m only one person and sadly can’t visit and photograph every Jack in the Green each year and so I rely upon our members and followers to send me pictures of the Jacks that they spot each year – Please do send me your pictures via our Twitter account or directly via the contact page on this website HERE
Here’s to a fantastic Jack in the Green season!
Annual Events 2023
The Snowdrops are just beginning to peek through and so it’s finally that time of the year when I begin the task of updating the list of annual events that feature The Traditional Jack-in-the-Green and The Green Man throughout the UK.
The list is HERE and I will be updating it regularly. Confirmations of events are beginning to come in thick and fast. You will find links to each events own website or Facebook page on our annual events page so that you can check details on times and locations.
Please do get in touch if you are an organiser or follower of a particular event and can confirm that it is going ahead and I will ensure that I promote your event within these pages.
And a reminder that it is the Hastings Jack in the Green’s 40th Anniversary this year and all existing Jacks in the Green are formally invited to join the Hastings Jack in the Green for the celebrations.
If you are new to these pages and are wondering just what on earth a Jack in the Green is then your whistle stop tour of the history of the Traditional Jack in the Green can be found right HERE.
And everything that you need to know about the modern revived Jacks can be found HERE
Merry May Day 2022!
It is 05:32 and the sun has just risen
Jack-in-the-Green is waking up.
A Merry May Day to you all
From the Company of the Green Man.
A Riddle – Phil Lister
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
Green Man – William Anderson
Like antlers, like veins of the brain, the birches
Mark patterns of mind on the red winter sky;
‘I am thought of all plants’, says the Green Man,
‘I am thought of all plants’, says he.
The hungry birds harry the last berries of rowan
But white is her bark in the darkness of rain;
‘I rise with the sap’, says the Green Man,
‘I rise with the sap’, says he.
The ashes are clashing their bows like sword-dancers
Their black buds are tracing wild faces in the clouds;
‘I come with the wind’, says the Green Man.
‘I come with the wind’, says he.
The alders are rattling as though ready for battle
Guarding the grove where she waits for her lover;
‘I burn with desire’, says the Green Man,
‘I burn with desire’, says he.
In and out of the yellowing wands of the willow
The pollen-bright bees are plundering the catkins;
‘I am honey of love’, says the Green Man,
‘I am honey of love’, says he.
The hedges of quick are thick with May blossom
As the dancers advance on the leaf-covered King;
‘It’s off with my head’, says the Green Man,
‘It’s off with my head’, says he.
Green Man becomes grown man in flames of the oak
As its crown forms its mask and its leafage his features;
‘I speak through the oak’, says the Green Man,
‘I speak through the oak’, says he.
The holly is flowering as hay fields are rolling
Their gleaming long grasses like waves of the sea;
‘I shine with the sun’, says the Green Man,
‘I shine with the sun’, says he.
The hazels are rocking the cups of their nuts
As the harvesters shout when the last sheaf is cut;
‘I swim with the salmon’, says the Green Man,
‘I swim with the salmon’, says he.
The globes of the grapes are robing with bloom
Like the hazes of autumn, like the Milky Way’s stardust;
‘I am crushed for your drink’, says the Green Man,
‘I am crushed for your drink’, says he.
The aspen drops silver of leaves on earth’s salver
And the poplars shed gold on the young ivy flower heads;
‘I have paid for your pleasure’, says the Green Man,
‘I have paid for your pleasure’, says he.
The reedbeds are flanking in silence the islands
Where meditates Wisdom as she waits and waits;
‘I have kept her secret’, says the Green Man,
‘I have kept her secret’, says he.
The bark of the elder makes whistles for children
To call to the deer as they rove over the snow;
‘I am born in the dark’, says the Green Man,
‘I am born in the dark’, says he.
Annual Events 2022 Update 30/04/22
It’s nearly here and I am very pleased to say that the list of confirmed events that feature The Traditional Jack-in-the-Green or The Green Man throughout the UK is looking extremely full!
The list is HERE and I will be updating it regularly. You will find links to each events own websites or Facebook pages on our annual events page so that you can check details on times and locations.
Confirmed events so far are:
April 29th -May 1st
Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green – Friday 29th April – Monday 2nd May
Highworth May Market and Jack in the Green – Saturday 30th April
Guildford Summerpole and Jack in the Green – Saturday 30th April
Bovey Tracey Green Man Festival and Jack in the Green Saturday 30th April
Ilfracombe Jack in the Green – Sunday May 1st
Hammersmith Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Bluebell Hill (Rochester Sweeps) Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May (and at the sweeps festival)
Fowler’s Troop (Deptford) Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Oxford Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Boss Morris Morris Jacky-in-the-Green – Sunday 1st May (will be seeing dawn in at Butser Ancient Farm)
Winchcombe Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Evercreech Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Oak House Museum Green Man Day – Sunday 1st May
Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare Morris) Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
May 2nd Monday
Whitstable Jack in the Green – Monday 2nd May
Clun Green Man Festival – Monday 2nd May
May 7th Saturday
Bristol Jack in the Green – Saturday 7th May
Knutsford May Day – Saturday 7th May
May 14th Saturday
Bradford on Avon Jack in the Green – The Green Man festival is now back on! – Saturday 14th May
Yaxley Jack-in-the-Green – Saturday 14th May
May 30th Monday
Castleton Garland Day – Monday 30th May
July
Pilton Green Man Festival – Saturday 16th July
The Islington Milk Maid’s Garland will not be out on May Day this year but will be attending Hastings JITG
Please do get in touch if you are an organiser or follower of a particular event and can confirm that it is going ahead and I will ensure that I promote your event within these pages.
A brand new knee limits my travel plans this year so please, please do send me photographs of as many Jacks as possible.
If you are new to these pages and are wondering just what on earth a Jack in the Green is then your whistle stop tour of the history of the Traditional Jack in the Green can be found right HERE.
And everything that you need to know about the modern revived Jacks can be found HERE
Annual Events 2022 Update 23/04/22
I am very pleased to say that the list of confirmed events that feature The Traditional Jack-in-the-Green or The Green Man throughout the UK this late April and all of May is looking extremely full!
The list is HERE and I will be updating it regularly. You will find links to each events own websites or Facebook pages on our annual events page so that you can check details on times and locations.
Confirmed events so far are:
April 29th -May 1st
Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green – Friday 29th April – Monday 2nd May
Highworth May Market and Jack in the Green – Saturday 30th April
Guildford Summerpole and Jack in the Green – Saturday 30th April
Bovey Tracey Green Man Festival and Jack in the Green Saturday 30th April
Ilfracombe Jack in the Green – Sunday May 1st
Hammersmith Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Bluebell Hill (Rochester Sweeps) Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May (and at the sweeps festival)
Fowler’s Troop (Deptford) Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Oxford Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Winchcombe Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Evercreech Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Oak House Museum Green Man Day – Sunday 1st May
May 2nd Monday
Whitstable Jack in the Green – Monday 2nd May
Clun Green Man Festival – Monday 2nd May
May 7th Saturday
Bristol Jack in the Green – Saturday 7th May
Knutsford May Day – Saturday 7th May
May 14th Saturday
Bradford on Avon Jack in the Green – Green Man festival cancelled but Jack will be out – Saturday 14th May
Yaxley Jack-in-the-Green – Saturday 14th May
May 30th Monday
Castleton Garland Day – Monday 30th May
July
Pilton Green Man Festival – Saturday 16th July
The Islington Milk Maid’s Garland will not be out on May Day this year but will be attending Hastings JITG
Please do get in touch if you are an organiser or follower of a particular event and can confirm that it is going ahead and I will ensure that I promote your event within these pages.
A brand new knee limits my travel plans this year so please, please do send me photographs of as many Jacks as possible.
If you are new to these pages and are wondering just what on earth a Jack in the Green is then your whistle stop tour of the history of the Traditional Jack in the Green can be found right HERE.
And everything that you need to know about the modern revived Jacks can be found HERE
Annual Events 2022 Update – Jack’s Back!
The list of confirmed events that feature The Traditional Jack-in-the-Green or The Green Man throughout the UK this late April and all of May and beyond is growing day by day!
The list is HERE and I will be updating it regularly. Confirmations of events are beginning to come in thick and fast and it looks like things will get back to something like normal after the events of the last two years. You will find links to each events own websites or Facebook pages on our annual events page so that you can check details on times and locations.
Confirmed events so far are:
Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green – Friday 29th April – Monday 2nd May
Bluebell Hill (Rochester Sweeps) Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May (and at the sweeps festival)
Fowler’s Troop (Deptford) Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Oxford Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Bristol Jack in the Green – Saturday 7th May
Winchcombe Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Knutsford May Day – Saturday 7th May
Evercreech Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Highworth May Market and Jack in the Green – Saturday 30th April
Whitstable Jack in the Green – Monday 2nd May
Ilfracombe Jack in the Green – Sunday May 1st
Clun Green Man Festival – Monday 2nd May
Bradford on Avon Jack in the Green – Green Man festival cancelled but Jack will be out – Saturday 14th May
Guildford Summerpole and Jack in the Green – Saturday 30th April
Yaxley Jack-in-the-Green – Saturday 14th May
Castleton Garland Day – Monday 30th May
Pilton Green Man Festival – Saturday 16th July
Oak House Museum Green Man Day – Sunday 1st May
Bovey Tracey Green Man Festival and Jack in the Green Saturday 30th April
Hammersmith Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May (Technically still TBC but pretty likely unless Daleks invade or Ragnarok occurs)
The Islington Milk Maid’s Garland will not be out on May Day this year but will be attending Hastings JITG
Please do get in touch if you are an organiser or follower of a particular event and can confirm that it is going ahead and I will ensure that I promote your event within these pages.
A brand new knee limits my travel plans this year so please, please do send me photographs of as many Jacks as possible.
If you are new to these pages and are wondering just what on earth a Jack in the Green is then your whistle stop tour of the history of the Traditional Jack in the Green can be found right HERE.
And everything that you need to know about the modern revived Jacks can be found HERE
Annual Events 2022 – Jack’s Back!
It’s finally that time of the year when I begin the task of updating the list of annual events that feature The Traditional Jack-in-the-Green or The Green Man throughout the UK.
The list is HERE and I will be updating it regularly. Confirmations of events are beginning to come in thick and fast and I really hope that things will get back to something like normal after the events of the last two years. You will find links to each events own websites or Facebook pages on our annual events page so that you can check details on times and locations.
Confirmed events so far are:
Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green – Friday 29th April – Monday 2nd May
Fowler’s Troop (Deptford) Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Bristol Jack in the Green – Saturday 7th May
Winchcombe Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Knutsford May Day – Saturday 7th May
Evercreech Jack in the Green – Sunday 1st May
Whitstable Jack in the Green – Monday 2nd May
Clun Green Man Festival – Monday 2nd May
Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival – Saturday 14th May
Yaxley Jack-in-the-Green – Saturday 14th May
Castleton Garland Day – Monday 30th May
Pilton Green Man Festival – Saturday 16th July
Oak House Museum Green Man Day – Sunday 1st May
Please do get in touch if you are an organiser or follower of a particular event and can confirm that it is going ahead and I will ensure that I promote your event within these pages.
If you are new to these pages and are wondering just what on earth a Jack in the Green is then your whistle stop tour of the history of the Traditional Jack in the Green can be found right HERE.
And everything that you need to know about the modern revived Jacks can be found HERE
The Moss Maidens awake
These wonderful Moss Maidens have been made by the very talented Mistress Hulda Crowsigh of The Hookland Doll Emporium. The perfect Beltane gift. They are available to purchase from www.feralfibres.co.uk
as are the wonderful tatters and felt Jack-in-the-Green pictured below. Wonderful gifts for the May Queen or King in your life.
Happy New Year
I would like to wish all members and followers of The Company of the Green Man a Happy New Year and all the very best for 2022.
I would also like to thank everyone for their continued support and best wishes whilst The Company of the Green Man continues in a temporary semi-dormant state whilst I concentrate on starting my own business and becoming one of the great self-employed. I was made redundant just prior to the start of the pandemic at the end of 2019. not a great time to start your own business but things are going well and I love what I do.
Whilst I don’t have the time to update the gazetteer, Flickr archive or produce the e-newsletters I am still trying my best to keep my finger on the pulse of the Green Man and the Traditional Jack-in-the-Green and hope to be attending as many events as possible (fingers crossed) this year. I will also do my best to keep this blog as fresh as possible and try to provide the most up-to date information on this years events as well as Green Man sightings. I have updated our events page ready to start providing dates for this years events HERE
My thanks to Charlie Waters for posting the above picture of the 2021 Carshalton Straw Jack and allowing it to be shared, what a great record of the event.
Whilst it was another very unusual year there were still a wonderful number of Jacks sighted during 2021, they were:
- The Hammersmith Jack-in-the-Green
- The Hastings Traditional Jack-in-the-Green
- The Boss Morris Jacky-in-the-Green
- The Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green
- The Bradford on Avon Jack-in-the-Green
- The Winchcombe Jack-in-the-Green
- The Carshalton Straw Jack (September)
The Oxford Jack was reproduced in collage form again last year.
The Evercreech Jacks head was decorated by the local community and displayed for all to see.
The Lions Part sadly had to cancel their 2021 October Plenty and 2022 Twelfth Night Celebrations but as always provided some wonderful online content.
There were also many mini Jacks who appeared last year including ones from
- The Deptford Fowler’s Troop Jack-in-the-Green
- The Dead Horse Morris Jack-in-the-Green
- Lots of Hastings based Mini – Jacks
As always if you spot any that I have missed or have any pictures of last years Jacks please do send them in.
Hopefully this year will see many more Jacks come back to life and I very much hope to attend some much missed annual events and meet up with some old friends again.
All the very best
Chris Walton
BOA Jack-in-the-Green
I am extremely pleased to announce that the Bradford-on-Avon Jack-in-the-Green was spotted today and I know this to be true because I ventured out and saw it for myself. “Jack in the Green’s Tour of Bradford on Avon” started from The Lock Inn at 11am this morning and took in the town centre, the Tithe Barn and of course as tradition dictates…a number of Public Houses where liquid refreshments were had and Jack and his covid compliant entourage was able to get out of the hot sun for a bit.
Jack was joined by his Ganderflankers’ musicians and two wonderful beasts. My thanks to everyone for allowing me to get some wonderful pictures.
Merry May Day!
It is 05:32 on Saturday 1st May 2021 and the Sun has just risen.
A Merry May Day to you all
from The Company of the Green Man.
A Riddle – Phil Lister
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
Green Man – William Anderson
Like antlers, like veins of the brain, the birches
Mark patterns of mind on the red winter sky;
‘I am thought of all plants’, says the Green Man,
‘I am thought of all plants’, says he.
The hungry birds harry the last berries of rowan
But white is her bark in the darkness of rain;
‘I rise with the sap’, says the Green Man,
‘I rise with the sap’, says he.
The ashes are clashing their bows like sword-dancers
Their black buds are tracing wild faces in the clouds;
‘I come with the wind’, says the Green Man.
‘I come with the wind’, says he.
The alders are rattling as though ready for battle
Guarding the grove where she waits for her lover;
‘I burn with desire’, says the Green Man,
‘I burn with desire’, says he.
In and out of the yellowing wands of the willow
The pollen-bright bees are plundering the catkins;
‘I am honey of love’, says the Green Man,
‘I am honey of love’, says he.
The hedges of quick are thick with May blossom
As the dancers advance on the leaf-covered King;
‘It’s off with my head’, says the Green Man,
‘It’s off with my head’, says he.
Green Man becomes grown man in flames of the oak
As its crown forms its mask and its leafage his features;
‘I speak through the oak’, says the Green Man,
‘I speak through the oak’, says he.
The holly is flowering as hay fields are rolling
Their gleaming long grasses like waves of the sea;
‘I shine with the sun’, says the Green Man,
‘I shine with the sun’, says he.
The hazels are rocking the cups of their nuts
As the harvesters shout when the last sheaf is cut;
‘I swim with the salmon’, says the Green Man,
‘I swim with the salmon’, says he.
The globes of the grapes are robing with bloom
Like the hazes of autumn, like the Milky Way’s stardust;
‘I am crushed for your drink’, says the Green Man,
‘I am crushed for your drink’, says he.
The aspen drops silver of leaves on earth’s salver
And the poplars shed gold on the young ivy flower heads;
‘I have paid for your pleasure’, says the Green Man,
‘I have paid for your pleasure’, says he.
The reedbeds are flanking in silence the islands
Where meditates Wisdom as she waits and waits;
‘I have kept her secret’, says the Green Man,
‘I have kept her secret’, says he.
The bark of the elder makes whistles for children
To call to the deer as they rove over the snow;
‘I am born in the dark’, says the Green Man,
‘I am born in the dark’, says he.
Whilst the majority of this years events have been cancelled there are still a few taking place, mostly online. I have included details and links below. Please support these events and help to keep this magical tradition alive. If you know of an event that I have missed please do get in touch.
The Hastings Traditional Jack-in-the-Green – Friday 30th April – Monday 3rd May 2021
The Hastings Jack in the Green will appear in 2021 as part of an incredible three day online event spanning Friday 30th April – Monday 3rd May – I highly recommend this, last years event was wonderful and gave a great insight into the Jack and his followers as well as all the hard work that goes into the events in Hastings each year. You can join in via the Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/HastingsTraditonalJackintheGreen/
Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green
Will be streaming some Jack in the Green goodness on May Monday at around 1pm on their Facebook page. Details are top secret but the Jack tradition will be maintained for another virtual year!)
https://www.facebook.com/Whitstable-Jack-in-the-Green-100375881612669/
Evercreech Jack-in-theGreen
A Mayday workshop is being run on 1st May to create flower crowns and Jacks head will be dressed.
https://www.facebook.com/evercreechjackinthegreen/
Bradford on Avon Jack-in-the-Green
May still put in a low key appearance on Sunday 30th May
Merry May Day!
My thanks to Rose Blakeley for the wonderful and extremely poignant picture and poem below that remind us that #jackwillbeback
You can find more of Rose’s wonderful work at www.roseblakeley.moonfruit.com
Merry May Day!
It is 05:32 and the sun has just risen.
A Merry May Day to you all from The Company of the Green Man.
A Riddle – Phil Lister
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
Green Man – William Anderson
Like antlers, like veins of the brain, the birches
Mark patterns of mind on the red winter sky;
‘I am thought of all plants’, says the Green Man,
‘I am thought of all plants’, says he.
The hungry birds harry the last berries of rowan
But white is her bark in the darkness of rain;
‘I rise with the sap’, says the Green Man,
‘I rise with the sap’, says he.
The ashes are clashing their bows like sword-dancers
Their black buds are tracing wild faces in the clouds;
‘I come with the wind’, says the Green Man.
‘I come with the wind’, says he.
The alders are rattling as though ready for battle
Guarding the grove where she waits for her lover;
‘I burn with desire’, says the Green Man,
‘I burn with desire’, says he.
In and out of the yellowing wands of the willow
The pollen-bright bees are plundering the catkins;
‘I am honey of love’, says the Green Man,
‘I am honey of love’, says he.
The hedges of quick are thick with May blossom
As the dancers advance on the leaf-covered King;
‘It’s off with my head’, says the Green Man,
‘It’s off with my head’, says he.
Green Man becomes grown man in flames of the oak
As its crown forms its mask and its leafage his features;
‘I speak through the oak’, says the Green Man,
‘I speak through the oak’, says he.
The holly is flowering as hay fields are rolling
Their gleaming long grasses like waves of the sea;
‘I shine with the sun’, says the Green Man,
‘I shine with the sun’, says he.
The hazels are rocking the cups of their nuts
As the harvesters shout when the last sheaf is cut;
‘I swim with the salmon’, says the Green Man,
‘I swim with the salmon’, says he.
The globes of the grapes are robing with bloom
Like the hazes of autumn, like the Milky Way’s stardust;
‘I am crushed for your drink’, says the Green Man,
‘I am crushed for your drink’, says he.
The aspen drops silver of leaves on earth’s salver
And the poplars shed gold on the young ivy flower heads;
‘I have paid for your pleasure’, says the Green Man,
‘I have paid for your pleasure’, says he.
The reedbeds are flanking in silence the islands
Where meditates Wisdom as she waits and waits;
‘I have kept her secret’, says the Green Man,
‘I have kept her secret’, says he.
The bark of the elder makes whistles for children
To call to the deer as they rove over the snow;
‘I am born in the dark’, says the Green Man,
‘I am born in the dark’, says he.
Jack in the Green Events May 2020o
I would usually be telling you about all of the Jacks that will be waking and parading over the coming days, but as we all know things are a bit different this year. It is hoped that some Jacks will still be seeing in dawn on May morning and I will report on them and post pictures as soon as I can.
There are also some wonderful virtual events taking place which are detailed below.
My thanks to Rose Blakeley for the wonderful Jack in the Green picture above.
www.roseblakeley.moonfruit.com
Hastings Virtual Traditional Jack in the Green
This year’s Jack in the Green will go ahead as a virtual event online. On Sunday 3 May, revellers are encouraged to dress up, decorate their houses with greenery, and join in the virtual parade via the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/HastingsTraditonalJackintheGreen/
“We are very pleased to say that during these difficult times we are looking to bring the town online and together to celebrate our beloved festival, Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green. We are working with local community facebook channel Isolation Station Hastings to run a series of events streamed live on our Facebook page and theirs including a sunrise ceremony at dawn on 1st May and morris dancing, drumming and music on Saturday May 2nd with the main procession taking place on Sunday 3rd via Zoom and Facebook.
Dress up in green, decorate your homes and join us on Zoom!
For the main event on Sunday we are asking the whole town to get dressed up in green as they normally would and join us online on Zoom. Here we will all be able to celebrate together watching footage of previous years’ processions as well as live performances from across Hastings including Morris dancing, drum performances, a ceilidh, live music, the slaying of the Jack and all of the wonderful people and characters that make this event what it is. The exciting part is we will be able to see everyone dressed up and enjoying the virtual festival from their homes.
To apply for spaces for Sunday’s Main Procession on Zoom, details will be announced on www.hastingsjitg.co.uk in the coming days. It will be simultaneously broadcast on Facebook so nobody needs to miss out.
May Day ‘Bang your drum for the NHS at 3.30pm on Sunday 3rd May’
We will end the proceedings at 3.30pm by inviting the whole town to go to their doorsteps, windows and balconies and bang their drums in a special Hastings May Day applause for the NHS, before we conduct the famous ceremonial slaying of the Jack.
RAISING MONEY FOR OUR NHS
It’s no small undertaking – we estimate there will be over one hundred people working and performing at this event, which will include as much of the actual schedule as is technologically possible. We are a charity ourselves and are of course losing money this year, but we hope everyone will come together and we are inviting those who can to donate to two local charities providing PPE and other support for our NHS: ‘Hastings Supports Our NHS Staff’ and ‘Friends of the Conquest Hospital’. Normally tens of thousands attend our event, so if everybody donated a small amount we could make a big difference.
Donation link https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jack-in-the-green
Show us your decorations this week on social media
All details will be announced on our social media pages this week, but in the mean time we are asking everybody to start preparing their decorations and costumes and post photos & videos with the hashtag #hastingsvirtualjack2020
There will be a few hundred places available for the Zoom Procession, but it will be simultaneously broadcast to our own Facebook page and Isolation Station’s so nobody needs to miss out.
We believe this very special event belongs to our community, and we will work night and day to bring it online so that we can keep the spirit of Hastings alive during these difficult times.”
Whitstable Virtual Jack in the Green
This year’s Whitstable Jack in the Green will go ahead as a virtual event online on May the 1st – Go to the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Whitstable-Jack-in-the-Green-100375881612669 for a live stream from 12pm including a specially commissioned film compiling lots of lovely footage and photos of the procession over the years made by Dixie Lee’s grandson Josh, a live performance of the May Day Song by Cathy Lesurf and John Jones and an interview with Dixie, Cathy, John, Ian Telfer and Alan Prosser about the revival of this amazing tradition, the Whitstable Folk Club, music, morris and any questions you might have!
Evercreech Jack in the Green
Last year 🌿EVERCREECH JACK IN THE GREEN🌿 was dressed in his finery of flowers and foliage and although Jack cannot be processed by followers this year- to keep everyone safe- we are still honouring the turn of seasons this May with some exciting alternative plans that are afoot…
Evercreech Jack in the Green will be adorned in his greenery in a studio window display at The Old Stores Studio from this first weekend of May for people to enjoy as they go about their daily exercise past the studio and online. (If you have any spare flowers and foliage from your own gardens that you can offer to add to Jack please safely drop off outside the studio if you can. We can also arrange to collect safely from anyone locally if you can’t venture out- feel free to message us. All donations gratefully received! 🌿🌷)…
We are also really looking forward to teaming up with Garden Day UK and local florists, flower growers and community to celebrate Garden Day UK on Sunday 10 May and will be safely gifting 50 + beautiful free flower crowns to local people. If you know someone who deserves to be gifted a flower crown and relax in their garden (doesn’t everyone?!🌿💐👑) then please TAG them TO NOMINATE and tell us why they deserve to be crowned! 👑💐🌹🌼🌸🌺🌻🌷🌿(crowns will be safely delivered to doorsteps on Sunday 10 May).
STAY SAFE (stay home and enjoy your garden if you have one) AND SHARE THE LOVE! ❤️ 🌿
Jack in the Green 2019 update
Boss Morris Jack in the Green 2019
I am extremely pleased to be able to report that the number of Jacks sighted this year has now reached at least 20.
They are:
- The Oxford Jack-in-the-Green
- The Fowlers Troop (Deptford) Jack-in-the-Green
- The Hammersmith Jack-in-the-Green
- The Dead Horse Morris (Whitstable) Jack-in-the-Green
- The Bovey Tracey (Grimspound Morris) Jack-in-the-Green
- The Bluebell Hill (Rochester Sweeps) Jack-in-the-Green
- The Bristol Jack-in-the-Green
- The Hastings Traditional Jack-in-the-Green
- The Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green
- The Guildford Bush
- The Evercreech Jack in the Green
- The Ilfracombe Jack-in-the-Green
- The Highworth Jack-in-the-Green
- The Knutsford Jack-in-the-Green
- The Hever Castle Jack-in-the-Green
- The Winchcombe Jack-in-the-Green
- The London Pagan Pride Parade Jack in the Green
- Boss Morris Jack in the Green
- The Brentham Jack in the Green
- The Bradford on Avon Jack in the Green
The Islington Milkmaid’s Garland (The ancestor of The Traditional Jack in the Green) went out with New Esperance Morris on May 1st.
A small number of private Jacks also paraded this year.
I am still trying to obtain any photos of The Knutsford, Hever Castle and Winchcombe 2019 Jacks for our archive. I would also really appreciate any more pictures of any of this years (and previous years) Jacks to add to our archive. Please do get in touch if you can help.
I was honoured to meet and walk with The Hammersmith Jack in the Green this year and I also revisited an old friend, the Bristol Jack in the Green. I was very excited to be able to meet two brand new Jacks this year, The Evercreech Jack in the Green and The Bradford on Avon Jack in the Green. I was very pleased to hear that a Jack in the Green put in an appearance at The London Pagan Pride Parade for the first time in a number of years. It was also very exciting to hear that Boss Morris have had a Jack in the Green who has seen May dawn in for the past three years.
I am indebted to all the organisers and participants of the Jacks I met this year for making me feel so welcome and putting up with me getting in the way with my camera. I would also like to thank those involved with all the other Jacks that went out this year for keeping this wonderful, magical tradition alive.
There are loads of of photos of this years Jacks available to view on our Flickr Archive.
Pictures and information about each of this years Jacks will also appear on these pages over the coming weeks and months.
Still to come this year are The Castleton Garland King, Pilton Green Man Day, The Burryman in South Queensferry and the last Jack of the year the wonderful Carshalton Straw Jack in September. Details are available on our Annual Events Page
Bradford on Avon Jack in the Green 2019
Merry May Day!
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
A Merry May Day to you all from The Company of the Green Man
At the exact time that this post appears, as the sun rises on May 1st 2019 a number of Jacks-in-the-Green will awake across the UK. They will parade around towns, villages and cities bringing the summer and “Jacks Magic” with them.
I would be extremely grateful if anyone who attends any of these events would send us pictures, videos or written accounts for our archive. You can send them directly using our contact tab above, through our Facebook Page or via our Twitter Pages. If you add them to Twitter please mention @companygreenman or #jackinthegreen in your tweet and I’ll find it.
If you are new to these pages and are wondering just what on earth a Jack in the Green is. Or if you have just walked out your front door early on May Morning and been confronted by what you believe to be a seven foot tall dancing bush surrounded by people dressed in green, then your whistle stop tour of the history of the Traditional Jack-in-the-Green can be found right HERE.
Events for May 2019
May Day is nearly here and across the world the Traditional Jack in the Green is beginning to wake!
Listed below are all known annual events for May 2019 that feature The traditional Jack-in-the-Green or The Green Man throughout the UK. This list will be regularly updated on our Annual Events Page.
I would be extremely grateful if anyone who attends any of these events would send us pictures, videos or written accounts for the archive. You can send them directly using our contact tab above, through our Facebook Page or via our Twitter Pages. If you add them to Twitter please mention @companygreenman or #jackinthegreen in your tweet and I’ll find it.
If anyone knows of any events that are not listed here or if there are any corrections/amendments required please don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you are new to these pages and are wondering just what on earth a Jack in the Green is. Or if you have just walked out your front door early on May Morning and been confronted by what you believe to be a seven foot tall dancing bush surrounded by people dressed in green, then your whistle stop tour of the history of the Traditional Jack-in-the-Green can be found right HERE.
The picture above is of the 2017 Hammersmith Jack-in-the-Green
MAY
Deptford (Fowlers Troop) Jack-in-the-Green (1st May)
The Fowlers Troop Jack was revived in the early 1980’s by members of the Blackheath Morris Men and friends. It is a revival of a Jack in the Green from about 1900 which was paraded by the original Fowlers Troop. In 1983 Mo Johnson made a Jack-in-the-Green in the back garden of the ‘Dog and Bell’ and Blackheath Morris (a side morphed from the Blackheath Foot’n’Death Men who used to dance at events featuring bands like Hawkwind and the Pink Fairies) revived the Deptford (Fowlers Troop) Jack. Mo was inspired by one of Thankful Sturdee’s photographs c.1900 of the original troop and Jack.
Blue Bell Hill (Rochester Sweeps) Jack-in-the-Green (1st May)
The Rochester Jack was revived in 1981 by Gordon Newton and Boughton Monchelsea Morris who were inspired from accounts by Charles Dickens. Custodianship of Jack was passed to Motley Morris in 1984 who now wake Jack with various other Morris sides at dawn on May Morning (approximately 5:32am) at the Bluebell Hill picnic area, surrounded by twelve bonfires. Jack is paraded through the streets of Rochester usually on the bank holiday Monday as part of the Sweeps Festival.
Oxford Jack-in-the-Green (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. 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.
Hammersmith Jack-in-the-Green (1st May)
The Hammersmith Jack, is a wonderful urban Jack, largely covered with artificial foliage, although it does have a crown of fresh flowers on May 1st. The leaves are made in a variety of materials, some created by children at local schools that the Jack visits as part of its May Day perambulations. As well as leaves made of paper, fabric and plastic, the Jack has other items attached that have some significance to either Hammersmith, the team, or the person who attached it. The Hammersmith Jack is paraded through Hammersmith on May 1st, regardless of which day of the week this falls, and wherever else the Jack visits on this day. The rest of the year the Hammersmith Jack is stored at Cecil Sharp House the home of the English Folk Dance and Song Society where he sometimes takes part in events.
Hammersmith Morris Jack-in-the-Green
Winchcombe Jack-in-the-Green (1st May)
The Winchcombe (Gloucestershire) 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 is now awoken every year at dawn (5:20am) on May Day up on Cleeve Hill by Happenstance Border Morris. The Winchcombe Jack appears at various events over the following days.
Dead Horse Morris Jack-in-the-Green (1st May)
Dead Horse Morris have a Jack-in-the-Green clad entirely in Ivy who takes part in the Dawn Rising celebrations on Beacon Hill, Whitstable at 5am on May 1st. The Dead Horse Morris Jack-in-the-Green also usually puts in an appearance at the Whitstable May Day Parade.
Bovey Tracey Jack-in-the-Green (1st May)
The Bovey Tracey Jack-in-the-Green goes out with Grimspound Border Morris. He can be seen greeting the Mayday dawn up on Haytor and then afterwards puts in an appearance in Bovey Tracey.
Bovey Tracey Jack-in-the-Green
Highworth Jack-in-the-Green (Saturday 4th May)
Highworth in Wiltshire celebrated it’s 800th anniversary in 2006 with a Jack-in-the-Green and the Jack is now an annual tradition as part of the May Market. The Highworth Jack-in-the-Green parades each year through the streets of Highworth with the Bang to Rites Drummers.
Guildford Jack-in-the-Green (Saturday 4th May)
Known as The Guildford Bush, this Jack was revived by the Pilgrim Morris Men in 1979 and is built from Laurel. For many years the Jack was carried by folklorist George Frampton. Last year the parade commenced at 10:30 outside The Star on the High Street. The Jack processes with the Pilgrim Morris Men to Castle Green where the Maypole is erected and the dancing involving guest Morris sides begins. 2016 marked the 40th Summerpole.
Ilfracombe Jack-in-the-Green (Sunday 5th May)
Ilfracombe’s Jack-in-the-Green will parade on Sunday 5th May. The Muster will begin from 10:45 in Wilder Road Car Park they parade through the High Street, Fore Street & St James Place ending at the Clapping Circle above Wildersmouth Beach.
At the Clapping Circle there will be dancing around the May Pole. Children from the audience are invited to join in the dancing, then ‘Jack’ will be stripped of his leafy coverings to welcome the Spirit of Summer.
Everyone is welcome to join or watch the May Day parade – just turn up and if possible wear something green.
The Ilfracombe Jack did not appear in 2015 after the previous committee were unable to continue. Kelly Raveney stepped in to help and Ilfracombe’s May Day Celebrations returned in 2016 and have continued since then.
Hastings Traditional Jack-in-the-Green (Monday 6th May)
The Hastings Traditional Jack-in-the-Green was revived by Keith Leech in 1983 and is now one of the biggest annual gatherings of Morris Dancers in the country.
“The Jack in the Green Festival is an annual event that takes place in various parts of the gorgeous seaside resort that is Hastings. It’s a four day event and attracts thousands every year. This is a true British May Day celebration not to be missed. The four day event has been described as ‘thee celebration of Morris dancing and traditional merriment, centering on the symbolic figure of Jack in the Green and culminating in a wild costumed parade – one of the most bizarre in Britain.’ The long weekend event includes music of all genres from some of the best local and surrounding areas bands, sun, historic and social events, and is filled with family fun. The weekend is topped off by the main event on the May Bank Holiday Monday, with the Jack in the Green parade itself. The parade begins at 9.45am on the Bank holiday Monday setting off from the Fisherman’s Huts in Rock-a-Nore Road in the Old Town, and finishes on the West Hill, where you will have an opportunity to see traditional folk dancers and music throughout the afternoon. The festival culminates with the slaying of Jack, to release the spirit of summer for this year. So come down, be merry and enjoy the true British festivities!”
The Gathering usually begins at 9:30-9:45am and Jack is “released” from the Fisherman’s Museum in a wonderful, magical 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. The festival takes place over the whole bank holiday weekend from Friday 3rd – Monday 6th May.
Hastings Jack-in-the-Green Festival
Bristol Jack in the Green (Saturday 4th May)
The Bristol Jack in the Green appears on the first Saturday in May starting from the historic Harbourside (outside the M Shed) at 10:30am and leads a magical procession through the streets of Bristol eventually ending the day on Horfield Common at approximately 4pm where he dies to release the spirit of summer. A Jack-in-the-Green was recorded in Bristol around 1865 by a lady who remembered seeing him with a sweep and a queen on the outskirts. The revived Bristol Jack in the Green is a descendant of the Hastings Jack.
Knutsford May Day and Jack-in-the-Green (Saturday 4th 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 almost every year since 1889. May Day in Knutsford is celebrated over the May Bank holiday weekend. The person who plays Jack is chosen each year and is now played by a youngster rather than an adult as it used to be.
Hever Castle Jack-in-the-Green (4th – 6th May)
Hever Castle in Kent have their own Jack-in-the-Green and Green Man over the early May Bank Holiday weekend. Joined by the Lord and Lady of the May on the Castle forecourt. The Green Man leads a procession through the gardens waking up the plants for summer.
Hever Castle Jack-in-the-Green
Evercreech (Somerset) Jack-in-the-Green (Saturday 4th May)
Evercreech Jack in the Green is a community, folk revival, celebration taking place at The Old Stores Studio in Evercreech, Somerset.
This is the events first year and is a contemporary art event that has its roots firmly based in ancient, folk custom. May Day has been a long held tradition in English folklore and is celebrated in various forms at the start of summer by many European cultures. This non profit, community event, led by local people in Evercreech, transcends time to celebrate the annual arrival of summer.
From 10am -12pm on Saturday 04 May, there will be free art workshops for all ages at the studio; including dressing the Jack, Garden Day Flower Crowns, instrument making and face painting. The local community are invited bring along home grown flowers and foliage to add to the Jack too. During the morning, Jacks horned beast head will be decorated in flowers and his cloak constructed, with artist Fiona Campbell at Evercreech Village Hall, whilst the Show Society Plant Sale
Clun Green Man Festival (Sunday 5th & Monday 6th May)
The Clun Green Man Festival is a traditional springtime festival, held on the first May bank holiday weekend of the year. The Festival takes place in the picturesque town of Clun in South Shropshire. The programme is full of live music, drama, colour and medieval malarkey and is fun for all the family. On Monday the Green Man will meet the Ice Queen at the battle of the bridge – If the Green Man loses there will be no summer!
Brentham May Day and Jack-in-the-Green (Saturday 11th 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’s May Day tradition became established in 1919 after the end of the First World War and expanded considerably for 1921 when the first Jack-in-the-Green appeared.
Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green (Monday May 6th)
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. Jack is also accompanied by two attendants dressed as Robin Hood and Maid Marian. The Jack-in-the-Green was revived for the Whitstable Folk Festival in 1976. Dixie Lee, one of the original organisers said in 1992 “ At the time it just seemed like the Jack was looking for a reason to come out again, and I must say that every year when Jack makes his appearance on the street I get such a feeling of power from him that I know it was the right thing to do”
Oak House Green Man – West Bromwich (Sunday 12th May)
Oak House in West Bromwich have their own Green Man as part of an annual spring event where they banish the winter and welcome spring.
Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival – (Saturday 18th May)
This year the Bradford on Avon day of dance is being re-branded as a Green Man Festival and will introduce a 9′ tall giant Green Man accompanied by his Herald, a Bogie and two Squires – Winter and Spring along with one or more drummers. They will start the day at The Castle pub and then wander the town “greening” people. As the highlight of the closing activities they will perform Bradford on Avon’s Jack In The Green mummers’ play to herald in the summer. Morris sides with Hobby Horses will be invited to join in. With that done there will be a massed dance and the day will end with Holt Morris celebrating their 30th anniversary performing their haunting “Signposts” dance around Jack and his entourage.
“Our first event was very popular so please join us for a friendly, local family day of dancing and music, and support our pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops. Wear something green!”
Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival
Castleton Garland Day (May 29th)
Castleton Garland Day or Garland King Day is held annually on 29 May (unless that date falls on a Sunday, when the custom is transferred to the Saturday) in the town of Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District. The Garland King, on horseback, and covered to the waist in a heavy, bell-shaped floral garland, leads a procession through the town.
The date of the custom coincides with Oak Apple Day and it is said to commemorate the restoration of King Charles II in 1660. Presumably the Garland is meant to represent the oak tree in which he hid after the Battle of Worcester. Some folklorists suspect that it is actually a much older custom that transferred from May Day as many May celebrations did after having been banned by the Puritans. The Garland King certainly resembles a kind of Jack in the Green.
The Company of the Green Man cannot be held responsible for any mistakes regarding the dates, times, locations or any cancellations of any of the above events. Please note that The Company of the Green man does not organise any of the above events. If you have any queries please contact the event organisers or go to their own websites.
Bibliography
Our updated bibliography of books on The Green Man and The Traditional Jack-in-the-Green is available to view HERE where a downloadable copy is also available.
We welcome information on books that we have yet to source or that do not appear in our bibliography.
Carshalton Straw Jack
I’m extremely pleased to announce that the magical Carshalton Straw Jack paraded today. My thanks to Simon Webster for permission to use his wonderful picture. The Carshalton Jack is the 18th Jack to parade this year. I would love to learn a bit more about this unusual Jack and it’s history if any of the organisers or participants read this post.
#FolkloreThursday Article
Rochester Sweeps Festival Jack-in-the-Green 2017 © Clem RutterMy Traditional Jack in the Green article has gone live today on the wonderful #FolkloreThursday website www.folklorethursday.com
My thanks to Dee Dee and the team for featuring it and helping to raise the profile of this magical living tradition #jackinthegreen
The Company of the Green Man 