Jack in the Green event harvests nearly £1000 for charity

The 50th annual Jack in the Green event took place across Whitstable to celebrate the early May bank holiday. Crowds lined the street as Morris dancers and seven-foot-dancing bushes strutted down the high street.  

The event raised money for the Whitstable, Herne Bay and Canterbury Lions club, which provides funds towards humanitarian causes.  

Canterbury Lions’ secretary Eddy Warn said: “We supported Whitstable Football Club by raising £300 and £250 for local schools.  

“We recently installed two defibrillators in Swalecliffe and Green Hill. People request donations through the charity events funds.  

“It was the best day of the year in the castle’s cafe. There were 30 stalls, who were all pleased with the day.”  

There were also performances from Dead Horse Morris and Broomdashers throughout the day which were well received by the crowd. Across the cloudy Harbour, a live band contributed to the buzzing atmosphere with upbeat drumming.  

Dotted around the Whitstable Castle grounds were a variety of stalls which featured many carefully curated and colourful handicrafts. Sea glass, knitted cushions and handmade wooden signs were on offer to buy. Stall holders preened their displays as their handicrafts sold.  

A particularly popular part of the day was the Punch and Judy show, a classic staple of any seaside festival. The children sat at the front of the audience roared with laughter as the puppets performed their horseplaying routine.  

The procession, which travelled from Horsebridge through to Whitstable Castle was made up of hundreds of horse mascots, Morris dancers and the large ‘Jack in the Green’. 

Decorated in green leaves and embellished with flowers, he embodied the spirit of spring as the star of the parade.