Hastings Jack in the Green – summary

The talk, hosted by Fee Lock and led by Keith Leech, explored the history, traditions, and revival of the Hastings Jack in the Green festival. This event, which has grown significantly since its formal re-establishment in 1983, celebrates the May Day tradition of parading a “walking bush” through the streets of Hastings, culminating in its ritual “slaying” to release the spirit of summer.

Fee Lock, a long-time secretary of the festival, began by highlighting its strong ties to the Hastings community. The tradition, originally associated with chimney sweeps, has evolved over the years while retaining its core identity. The festival has benefited from the support of Hastings Borough Council and recently became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

Keith Leech, chairman of Hastings Jack in the Green for many years, presented a video and a PowerPoint detailing the origins of the custom. He traced its roots to the May Games, medieval church fairs held throughout May, which included Morris dancing, maypoles, and revelry. These celebrations, which predated the Victorian perception of May customs as ancient Celtic traditions, were suppressed during the Reformation but persisted in various forms.

In London, different guilds had their own May traditions. The milkmaids paraded with garlands adorned with silverware, while the chimney sweeps carried Jack in the Green, an enormous leaf-covered structure concealing a person inside. This urban tradition spread from London to growing industrial and coastal towns like Rochester, Whitstable, and Hastings in the 19th century.

Hastings’ version, well-documented in historical records, was particularly active in the 1860s. A famous photograph from that period shows the local Jack in the Green, accompanied by characters in ragged costumes and covered in soot. However, the tradition faded before being rediscovered and revived in the 1980s by Keith and others.

When reviving Jack in the Green, Keith collaborated with local Morris sides and drew inspiration from the Deptford Jack. Initially, only a small group participated, but the festival steadily grew. Today, it attracts around 20,000 visitors and features a grand procession through the old town, followed by celebrations on West Hill.

A key feature of the modern festival is the “Bogeys,” green-clad figures who carry and guard Jack. Their name originated from a joke about being “green and getting up people’s noses,” but a journalist linked it to woodland spirits, and the name stuck. The Bogeys, influenced by European wild-man traditions, have developed a unique identity and play an integral role in the event.

The talk also touched on the practical aspects of organising such a festival. Keith and Fee stressed the importance of community support, local government cooperation, and effective event management. They discussed risk assessments, crowd control, and financial sustainability, noting that local businesses benefit greatly from the event, which marks the start of the tourist season.

The session concluded with a discussion on the organic growth of traditions and the festival’s future. Questions covered topics like inclusivity among the Bogeys, comparisons with other traditions, and potential for new Jack in the Green celebrations elsewhere.

Overall, the talk provided an in-depth look at the Hastings Jack in the Green, its historical context, revival, and continued evolution as a vibrant, community-driven event.