The Golden Jack: celebrating the 50th Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green procession
The Whitstable Jack-in-the-Green procession was revived in 1976 after a hiatus of over 60 years and is still going strong.
It has been a colourful fixture in the town’s social calendar with its stampede of Morris Dancers and beloved characters such as Robin Hood and Maid Marian, the Hooden Horse, Boris the Bear and the foliage-covered Jacks.
Come and relive the sunny, and occasionally rain-drenched, May Day jollities of days gone by.
On Wednesday 30th April at 6pm exhibition curator James Frost will be holding a curators talk and Q & A and will also be in conversation with the Jack in the Green original organisers giving a special insight into how the procession has grown over the years. This event is free, with a suggeted donation of £2 if you are able on the night.
The exhibition is open until May Day, so you can visit whilst enjoying all the revalries on the day. Please see below for the timetable of events throughout the town.
Programme of Events 5 May 2025
| Time | Procession through town |
| 10:00 - 11:20 | Morris dancing displays on the Library forecourt |
| 11:30 - 11:50 | Procession from the Library to The Horsebridge |
| 12:00 - 12:45 | Morris dancing displays at The Horsebridge |
| 12:00 - 13:15 | Samba Pelo Mar playing at ‘Deadman’s Corner’ in the Harbour, until the procession arrives |
| 13:00 - 13:15 | procession from the Duke of Cumberland to the Harbour |
| 13:20 - 13:40 | Morris dancing dispalys at the Harbour |
| 13:45 - 14:00 | Procession from the harbour to the castle |
| 14:00 - 14:30 | Singing of the Whitstable May Song at The Castle, followed by morris dancing displays |
| In the Castle Grounds | |
| 11.00 - 16.00 | Stalls, crafts, Maypole Dancing workshop, Punch and Judy, morris dancing, Tankerton Dance Academy, entertainment, presentation of the prizes for The Poster Competition.
More details and times coming soon! |
Exhibitor Information
![Scan[49].jpg](https://thehorsebridge.org.uk/application/files/6717/4333/7857/Scan49.jpg)
