HASTINGS TRADITIONAL JACK IN GREEN
Registered Charity Number: 11080939
Annual Accounts
for the Year ended 30th September 2025
Contents:
Organisation information Trustees' Annual Report Receipts and Payments Account Statement of Assets and Liabilites Independent Examiner's report
Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green
Trustees Annual Report
For the Period from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025
Registered charity number 1180939 Principal address:
62 Collier Road
Hastings, East Sussex TN34 3JS
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Accepted as Charitable Incorporated Organisation with Constitution on 30[th] November 2018.
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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 Rudd Trustee - Vice Chair Fiona Jane Dunbar Lock Trustee - Secretary Isabel Tipler Trustee - Treasurer Harry Lloyd Wheatcroft Trustee - Health & Safety Alice Roberts-Pratt Trustee Alex Justin-French Trustee Heather Leech Trustee Mark Richard Bailey Trustee Owain Boorman Trustee Rosanna Betson Trustee Timothy Betson Trustee
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 a Jack-in-the-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 the surrounding grounds of Hastings Castle, also known locally as Ladies Parlour.
Hastings Traditional Jack In The Green, 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 procession.
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 Traditional Jack in the Green procession. The procession 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 the 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. The Jack 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 (Now named Hastings RX) 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 are not available.
Income:
The delivery of the event was supported through a diverse range of income streams, including merchandise sales, decorating donations, entertainment ticket sales, programme advertising, and Craft Fair pitch fees. These revenue sources, together with grant funding, enabled the successful delivery of the event.
The event generated an operating surplus of £7,002.86 . This positive outcome was made possible through the generous support of external funders, including £1,000 from Magdaline and Lasher, £2,386.96 from the Guildhall Trust, and £1,000 from the Charities Trust.
Hastings Borough Council continues to provide a valuable contribution of £5,000 towards the event. However, the Council no longer funds or manages the West Hill element of the festival, where large numbers of participants and spectators gather to experience the traditional performance pieces and the ceremonial slaying of 'Jack'. As a result, responsibility for managing this key part of the event now rests with the organisers, creating a substantial increase in operational costs. These additional responsibilities include event management, site runners, toilet provision, waste management, security, first aid, crowd control barriers, and increased insurance premiums.
The event also benefited from restricted funding awarded by Arts Council England (ACE), which was specifically allocated to support outreach activities and the promotion of Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green. This funding enabled us to expand engagement with local communities, raise the profile of the event, and support the long-term sustainability of this important cultural tradition.
Non-Trustee Committee Members who have specific and essential duties for the success of the event:
Lorna Crabbe - Bids, funding, outreach
Ella Justin-French - Organises and manages decorating of the town Holly Knight - Merchandise, Artwork and Design
Report written by Treasurer, Isabel Tipler, and approved by Trustees.
HASTINGS TRADITIONAL JACK IN GREEN Organisational Structure Year ended 30th September 2025
Registered charity number: 1180939 Legal form: Governing document: CIO Registration - 30th November 2018 Address: 62 Collier Road Hastings East Sussex TN34 3JS Trustees: Keith Ronald Leech MBE - Chair Bryony Rudd - Vice Chair Fiona Jane Dunbar Lock - Secretary Isabel Xuxa Tipler - Treasurer Harry Lloyd Wheatcroft - H&S Heather Leech Alice Roberts-Pratt Alex Justin-French Mark Richard Bailey Rosanna Poppy Betson Timothy Betson Owain Lewis Boorman Non Trustee Committee Members: Duncan De Vries Ann Bourner (Deceased) Ella Justin-French Holly Knight James Robus Rhys Boorman Lorna Crabbe Michelle Brown Stephen Roberts-Pratt Mark Duncan Sophie Leech (nee Williams) Independant Examiner: Louise Cavill, Independant Examiner Cavill & Cruikshank Accountants and Tax Advisors
HASTINGS TRADITIONAL JACK IN GREEN Receipts and Payments Accounts Year ended 30th September 2025
| Previous | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Year | Year | ||||
| Receipts | Restricted | Not Restricted | Total Funds | ||
| Advertising Revenue | 1,190.00 | 1,190.00 | 1,690.00 | ||
| Grants and Funding | 23,601.96 | 6,000.00 | 29,601.96 | 10,000.00 | |
| Mechanise Cash Sales | 4,665.37 | 4,665.37 | 4,247.79 | ||
| Merchandise Card Sales | 8,230.80 | 8,230.80 | 1,567.82 | ||
| Ticket Sales | 1,256.00 | 1,256.00 | 2,016.02 | ||
| WH Stalls | 6,315.00 | 6,315.00 | 2,365.00 | ||
| Donations - Just Giving | 594.31 | 594.31 | 3,139.05 | ||
| Donations - Decorations | 4,650.00 | 4,650.00 | 3,185.00 | ||
| Donations - Other | 5,279.95 | 5,279.95 | 8,170.58 | ||
| Accommodation - Morris | 490.00 | 490.00 | 260.00 | ||
| Other Income | 835.86 | 835.86 | 2,041.95 | ||
| Reversal of 2023 Accruals | - | 4,758.00 | |||
| Bank Interest | 1,065.53 | 1,065.53 | 520.11 | ||
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | 23,601.96 | 40,572.82 | 64,174.78 | 43,961.32 | |
| Expenditure | |||||
| Just Giving Fees | 216.00 | 216.00 | 216.00 | ||
| Venue Hire | 1,170.00 | 1,170.00 | 654.99 | ||
| Sound Engineers and Equipment Hire | 3,596.41 | 3,596.41 | 2,143.60 | ||
| Entertainment, Bands and Groups | 2,005.00 | 2,005.00 | 2,998.29 | ||
| Staging | 609.68 | 1,854.35 | 2,464.03 | 2,397.79 | |
| Accommodation - Bands and Visiting | 465.00 | 465.00 | - | ||
| Training | - | 14.20 | |||
| Security | 1,990.20 | 1,990.20 | 1,784.10 | ||
| Heritage Fund | - | - | |||
| Printing Programmes and Flyers | 1,506.94 | 1,506.94 | 1,650.80 | ||
| Merchandise | 10,976.68 | 10,976.68 | 4,006.41 | ||
| Insurance | 470.17 | 470.17 | 1,114.37 | ||
| Donations Given | 1,500.00 | 1,500.00 | 250.00 | ||
| Website Domain | 307.20 | 307.20 | 280.99 | ||
| Decorating | 432.60 | 432.60 | 447.82 | ||
| Post and Stationary | 169.86 | 169.86 | 41.08 | ||
| Health and Safety | 433.29 | 433.29 | 75.00 | ||
| Confetti, Smoke etc | - | 2,155.82 | |||
| Subscriptions | 198.00 | 198.00 | 90.00 | ||
| Admin Costs | 10,150.00 | 10,150.00 | - | ||
| West Hill Costs - Management, Runner etc | 5,021.81 | 5,636.59 | 10,658.40 | - | |
| Outreach - Talks, Story telling etc | 7,820.47 | 7,820.47 | - | ||
| Bank fees | 91.67 | 91.67 | - | ||
| Miscellaneous Expenses | 550.00 | 550.00 | - | ||
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | 23,601.96 | 33,569.96 | 57,171.92 | 20,321.26 | |
| Net Surplus/(Deficit) | - | 7,002.86 | 7,002.86 | 23,640.06 | |
| Fund Balances B/F | 01/10/2024 | - | 60,957.66 | 60,957.66 | 37,317.60 |
| Fund Balances C/F | 30/09/2025 | - | 67,960.52 | 67,960.52 | 60,957.66 |
HASTINGS TRADITIONAL JACK IN GREEN Statements of Assets and Liabilites Year ended 30th September 2025
| 2025 Current Assets Current Account @ 30/09/2025 44,614 Deposit Accounts @ 30/09/2025 23,347 Cash in hand @ 30/09/2025 67,961 Less Current Liabilties Accruals - 67,961 Represented by: Accumlated Fund B/F 60,958 Surpus/(Deficit) for the year 7,003 67,961 |
2024 38,676 22,282 |
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| 60,958 - |
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| 60,958 | |
| 37,318 23,640 |
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| 60,958 |
Other Assets
An inventory of assets is held by the Treasuer and is available on request.
Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which comply with the regulations set out in the Charities Act 1993. The trustess have elected to take advantage of the provisions that apply to small charities and have prepared a Receipts and Payments account and Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Approved by the Trustees on and signed on behalf by
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Isabel Tipler
Rosanna Betson
Mark Bailey
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HASTINGS TRADITIONAL JACK IN GREEN
Year ended 30th September 2025
Independent Examiner's Report to the Committee of Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green
I report on the accounts of Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green for the twelve month period ended 30th September 2025
Respective responsibilities of committee & examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act), and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility:
to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the supporting documentation presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair" view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met; or
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Louise Cavill FCCA ACA
Chartered Accountant Cavill & Cruikshank Accountants and Tax Advisors 7 Henderson Close Hastings TN34 2DU
Dated: 15th July 2026