Main content
Jack in the Green
The Jack in the Green procession in the coastal town of Hastings is one of the UK's biggest May Day celebrations. Neil McCarthy goes behind the scenes.
In the south of England, Hastings' traditional Jack in the Green takes place every early May Day weekend and sees a seven foot-tall conical tower of leaves - the Jack - being processed through the old fishing quarters of the town before being led up to a steep hill overlooking the sea where it is 'slain' to release the spirit of summer as the gathered, fervent, crowds take home leaves from him as symbols of luck and fertility. Neil McCarthy goes behind the scenes of one of the biggest celebrations of May Day in the United Kingdom.
Last on
Tue 15 Sep 202622:32GMT
BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East
Broadcasts
- Tue 15 Sep 202603:32GMTBBC World Service
- Tue 15 Sep 202612:32GMTBBC World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
- Tue 15 Sep 202617:32GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Tue 15 Sep 202621:32GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
- Tue 15 Sep 202622:32GMTBBC World Service Europe and the Middle East
