Hastings Jack in the Green 2023 - in pictures

This year marked the 40th anniversary of the celebrations.

The festivities got under way on Friday (April 28) and continued across the whole Bank Holiday weekend.

Jack in the Green sees a colourful procession through the streets of the Old Town, on the May Bank Holiday Monday, with music and drumming groups, led by the Jack, a be-ribboned dancing tower of leaves.

At Hastings Museum and Art Gallery on Friday, Jack in the Green founder Keith Leech gave a talk about the origins of the famous Hastings event and how it has evolved over the years. After that, a folk music session was held at the Stag pub, in All Saints Street.

On Saturday (April 29), Morris dance teams performed at Winkle Island and around the Old Town. The Rattlebag group hosted a sing-around at the Stag and the evening saw the big ceilidh dance with band Frog On A Bike, at the White Rock Theatre.

On Sunday (April 30) a Morris dancers’ service was held at St Clements Church. There was also dancing at The Stade, and around the Old Town.

The procession took place yesterday (Monday, May 1). There was dancing at dawn and a celebration on the Ladies Parlour, West Hill, from 4.45am.

The Jack was released from the Fishermen’s Museum, in Rock-a-Nore Road, at 10.15am before the procession got under way, attracting crowds of people.

It went along All Saints Street, down the High Street then up The Croft to the West Hill green.

After the procession, the slaying of the Jack, to release the spirit of summer, took place at 4pm and leaves from the Jack were handed out to bring luck.

Hastings Borough Council said the town was filled with ‘tens of thousands of visitors’ over May Day weekend.

A spokesperson said: “Jack in the Green festivities started on Friday and continued over the weekend, with revellers enjoying good weather.

"The West Hill Lift opened even earlier than planned on Monday, as there was a queue forming in George Street at 4.35am. Dozens of Morris dancers used the lift to get to the dancing at dawn on Ladies Parlour.

"The parade through the Old Town went smoothly and despite the rain later in the afternoon, thousands of people were on the West Hill to watch the slaying of the Jack.

“We also welcomed countless motorbikes on Bank Holiday Monday on the annual May Day bike run. The bikes filled up the parking areas quickly and the town and seafront were very busy with bikers and visitors enjoying this noisy annual spectacle.”

Cllr Paul Barnett, leader of the council, said: “I’d like to congratulate the wonderful work of all the volunteers who work all year round to make Jack in the Green the extraordinary event it is.”