## **Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green**
**Trustees Annual Report For the Period from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020**
Registered charity number 1180939 Principal address: 62 Collier Road Hastings, East Sussex TN34 3JS
- Accepted as Charitable Incorporated Organisation with Constitution on 30[th] November 2018.
The Trustees are members of the existing Committee and are voted in by Committee on a three-year rotating basis. Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually at the CIO Annual General Meeting held in June.
**Charity Trustees: Name Office held** Keith Ronald Leech Trustee - Chairman Bryony Leech Trustee - Vice Chair Fiona Jane Dunbar Lock Trustee - Secretary Carole Jean Green Trustee - Treasurer Harry Lloyd Wheatcroft Trustee - Health & Safety Heather Leech Trustee John William Pasco Trustee Leila Battison Trustee Mark Richard Bailey Trustee Rosanna Leech Betson Trustee Tim Betson Trustee Owain Boorman Trustee Appointed as Trustee at AGM on 10[th] June 2020
Rachel Dorothy Roberts Trustee Has stepped down as Trustee at AGM on 10[th] June 2020
## **Objectives and Activities:**
To promote, improve and advance education in, and appreciation of, the arts, in particular but not exclusively through the staging of an annual folk arts festival in Hastings including performance and promotion of English traditional dance forms (including Morris dancing and Jack-inthe-Green parade), traditional English folk music and song, folk tales, and their associated seasonal customs. New recruits to Morris Dancing are gained and many more find a new interest in traditional music and dance, thus succeeding in our objectives.
The sunrise ceremony is held on the first of May each year when local Morris Sides “dance the sun up” to welcome the summer and invites spectators to dance on Hastings Castle grounds.
The Jack in the Green Festival, a four-day annual event in the seaside resort of Hastings in East Sussex. It is a true British May Day celebration described as "thee celebration of Morris dancing and traditional merriment”, led by the symbolic figure of Jack in the Green and culminating in a colourful, costumed parade.
The event includes music of all genres from some of the best local and surrounding area’s bands and historic and social events. The weekend is topped off by the main event on the May Bank Holiday Monday, with the Jack in the Green parade. The parade sets off from the Fisherman's Museum in the Old Town, and finishes on the West Hill, where there is an opportunity to see traditional folk dancers and music throughout the afternoon. The festival culminates with the symbolic slaying of Jack, to release the spirit of summer.
## **History and current day formation of the Committee:**
May 1st has long been an important part of the annual calendar. It is the start of summer in these latitudes and has always been a day for celebration: the Celts celebrated May Day; the Romans dedicated the day and would go to the woods to cut a tree and decorate it with ribbons and flowers, this is the origin of the May Pole. In the 16th and 17th centuries in England people made garlands of flowers and leaves for the May Day celebration. Works Guilds would try to outdo each other, in the late 18th century this became a matter for competition, milkmaids in London carried garlands on their heads, but the crown had to go to the chimney sweeps. Their garland was so big it covered the entire man. It became known as Jack in the Green.
In Hastings there were at least two groups who paraded a Jack in the Green until about 1889. The custom was revived in Hastings by Mad Jacks Morris Dancers in 1983. Jack is returned! He is not the property of a small group of dancers but belongs to us all. Further information about the Jack in the Green in Hastings can be obtained by reading the excellent book "The Hastings Jack in the Green" written by Keith Leech (ISBN 0 9514498 0 X). Keith, a long-time member of Mad Jacks Morris
was instrumental in reviving the tradition in Hastings. A volunteer committee was formed to organise, promote, and perform the festival.
## **Financial Review:**
A copy of our accounts is included with this report and confirms our income and expenditure as well as reserves. Trustees, Committee members and volunteers give their time and efforts freely and do not receive remuneration or benefits other than expenses incurred. For several years we have been building reserves to enable us to hold subsequent years’ events when grants and funds may not be available.
In line with government directives, due to Covid 19, the live event and procession was cancelled. The Trustees and members of the Committee planned a world-wide streamed event using pre-recorded Morris sides and individual Morris dancers in celebration, socially distanced dancing up the sun with “Jack” and symbolically slayed him to welcome in the summer. With the help of “Isolation Station” and Keith, Heather and most of the Committee, the worldwide steaming was a success. The event became known to admirers worldwide and even had an American Morris side take part with pre-recorded dance.
Income: As the event did not take place among the community with spectators, we had no donations, street collections, merchandise sales, decorating revenue, craft fair income or profits from entertainment.
This year’s deficit of £1,330.06 is a result of the following. Expenditure:
- Trustees’ liability insurance.
- Craft Fair managers fees for work already done prior to cancellation.
- Purchase of collection boxes, labels and cable ties.
- Annual membership of Association of Festival Organisers.
- Hospitality for Volunteers Evening.
- Miscellaneous expenses.
Normally, the Committee grants two charitable donations to local organisations but this year we were unable to make these donations.
- The historical Hastings Fishermen’s Museum that provides a venue for the start of the procession and is Grade II listed by English Heritage. It is free to visitors who learn the importance of Britain’s largest shore-based fishing fleet.
- Hastings Borough Bonfire Society, the largest single bonfire celebration in Sussex and is financed by funding and donations. The Society each year provides many volunteers that are an integral part of the event. The volunteers are marshals and stewards for the event and highly valued.
## **Additional notes:**
It became apparent during our 2019 event that we fall short of volunteers over the event weekend. To remedy this and provide the best experience for the public and all volunteers, we held a special evening held locally, and welcomed all who might be a part of this wonderful event. Approximately 80 people joined us and left their details as willing volunteers. We were unable to utilize the volunteers in 2020 but kept them informed to hold their interest in the event and appreciate their value to us. Without our volunteers the event just could not happen.
Non-Trustee Committee Members who have specific and essential duties for the success of the event:
Ann Bourner Lesley Battison Chris Battison Chris Leech Lynn Blake Paul & Helen Evans (Organises decorating)
Report written by treasurer, Carole Green, and approved by Trustees.
## **- - - Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green Accounts for 2020**
_**NB/ This report is intended solely for the use of JITG Committee members and the Charity Commission and should not be cir**_
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Registered Charity Number - 1180939 Incoming
Opening balance
Hastings Council Grant -
Events
1st May Les Derniers Trouveres
Friday St Clements Church
Cancelled
Total
2 May The Copper Family
Saturday St Clements Church
Cancelled
Total
2 May Gigspanner Big Band
Saturday St Clements Church
Cancelled
Total -
2 May Pigeon Swing
Saturday St Mary in the Castle
Hospitality returns Cancelled
Total -
Bryony Leech - Accommodation for bands booked
Bryony Leech - Cheque not banked 327.97
327.97
Total for Ticketed Events -
Miscellaneous Event costs
Big Squeeze Cancelled
Garry Blakeley & Bear Cancelled
Total -
Total for Events (All entertainment cancelled)
Accommodation None required
Total -
Craft Fair
Craft Fair & Food Stalls- manager's agreed fees
-
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Miscellaneous Income:**
Hospitality re committee meetings refunded 50.00 Sale of past T-shirts on volunteer night 66.20 Miscellaneous donation received 19.58
## **Miscellaneous Expense:**
Charities Trustees Insurance Collection boxes & labels Cable ties & pot seals Association of Festival Organisers Paul Evans- internet streaming charges Misc admin expenses: Gift for Rachel Hospitality re Volunteers Night **Total** 135.78 Interest Earned to 30/06/19/9/2020 20.39
**Total net loss:Current Balances: -** Bank Building Society
**Current Bank & Building Society balances** Add: Cash/cheques not banked Less: Payments due to be made (surplus Bogie kitty) AFO underpayments 2019 & 2020
**As above Merchandising Overall deficit**
**0**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
As at 30th September 2020
rculated.
Outgoing Net Balance
16,137.49
- 16,137.49
- - 16,137.49
- - 16,137.49
- - 16,137.49
- - 16,137.49
327.97
327.97 - 16,137.49
- - 16,137.49
- - 16,137.49
- 16,137.49
- - 16,137.49
435.00
435.00 (435.00) 15,702.49
**----- End of picture text -----**
## _**rculated.**_
**----- Start of picture text -----**
422.80
325.00
20.95
90.00
25.54
33.10
72.95
990.34 (854.56) 14,847.93
20.39
(1,269.17) 14,868.32
(1,269.17)
6,055.67
9,087.65
-
15,143.32
(235.00)
(40.00) (275.00)
14,868.32
(1,269.17)
g (60.89)
t (1,330.06)
**----- End of picture text -----**