This is the big day. The day when the Jack in the Green is released; it’s the day the bikers come from all over to enjoy the town, and it’s not surprising it has earned itself the nickname of ‘Mayday Mayhem’.
Within a few hours before starting the procession you can already hear the rumbling of the engines of packs of bikers arriving into the town and the sound of drums approaching, telling visitors and locals the gathering to witness Jack’s release is starting.
Jack
" Drinking, sun, rain; everything. It’s about having a good time.”
Before the procession, people covered in green paint and greenery get as close as possible to the doors where Jack will be released. Those who form part of the procession, will discuss the formation they will take to navigate through hundreds of spectators.
Despite being early in the morning, it’s not hard to tell that people are excited about what’s to come, even though this celebrations means very different things to different people.
“It’s about dressing up, having fun. Drinking, sun, rain; everything. It’s about having a good time.” – says a resident dressed in green (who sports mushrooms as buttons).
“To some it’s a pagan festival, to others it can be a celebration of the start to summer. It’s many things” says another.
The procession starts in Rock a Nore road, where Jack is released and paraded followed by groups of Morris dancers, drummers and bogies: people dressed like spirits of nature. The parade will continue through narrow streets up to the West Hill, where Jack will be slain for good luck and to release the spirit of the summer.
Following the procession, the energy people put into the celebration, makes it extremely fun to watch and is further proof of how engaged the town is with the tradition. “It’s growing every year.” – says Michael Bovee, a now-retired former owner of an inn and art graduate at Ravensbourne who has been improving his nature spirit costume over the years.
“It’s important to al lot of us. It’s about rebirth and regrowth.”
But the art student in him also gives me another, more creative reason as to how important these celebrations are: “It’s important ecologically, because a lot of it is about the environment”. He feels this festival is important to the environment because it makes people aware of its importance.
“We can’t alter nature but we can help it along.”
The Bikes
“You’re not part of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency are you?”
For the Mayday Run, Bikers from around the country – and in some cases from around Europe, arrive at the town to show off their bikes; bikes that would rarely be seen on the streets.
This semi-improvised gathering of motorists is the perfect chance for them to show off their bikes, sometimes, no matter how legal these may be. “You’re not part of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency are you?” – a biker jokes with me as I take a picture of his bike. “Because it’s not MOT’d yet”.
Other bikers will use the chance to sell their bikes, yet, at the same time, when you ask these bikers why they decided to come down the answer will mostly be something along the lines of: ‘it’s a nice ride’.
Film: A Town United
Music using YouTube Creators:
Castleshire - Chris Haugen
Eagle Rock - Wes Hutchinson
Shot using Lumix G80 - Røde Microphone and Fantaseal C-Shape Stabiliser.
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