A certain amount of information about The Jack in the Green custom had been given in our course at Carillon Cottage, and indeed discussed in class, but what exactly was it that drew thousands of people to the annual Hastings festival?

It was known before the visit that during the 19thC folklore customs became of interest as earlier records did not bother about the 'ordinary' people.  This particular custom began with the London chimney sweeps making a conical, beehive-like, wicker structure which terminated in a dome or pinnacle,  the whole being covered in green boughs, mainly laurel, and flowers.   A man would then stand inside where his only view of the proceedings in this perspiring claustrophobic basket was through a tiny opening between the boughs.

The apprenticed boy chimney sweeps played percussion on shovel and brushes and took collections from the crowds who gathered to watch.   The money provided the chimney sweeps with a feast and also clothed the boys.  It is probably fair to comment here that many Victorians were against boys climbing inside chimneys and well documented health and safety issues were much to the fore.   Three quarters of work done by children at that time was hazardous and damaging to their health.  However, the sweeps gave poor children a training and eventually an occupation, and sometimes paid money into accounts for their welfare.  This might amount to a certain percentage invested for them or actually providing them with clothing.  Henry Mayhew interviewed sweeps and the climbing boys and countered Charles Kingsley’s tales by showing that the children themselves were actually grateful to learn a trade and have somewhere to live.

Documented evidence shows that the custom was primarily an urban one and certainly originated in London, but during the 19th century it was taken into the countryside, most notably to Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire but rarely is it seen elsewhere than in these counties.

So,  Monday 7th May was the day to find out more and it could not have been a more inauspicious start - gale force winds, torrential rain, near dark skies and no-where to park.  After the eventual solving of the latter problem and a long trek to George Street in the rain, the pub seemed the most attractive place to be, so a drink or two later the position found outside could not have been bettered, a table, chairs and actually under cover - certainly a place of envy by others.