May Bank in Hastings

Subject: May Bank in Hastings
From: daughter
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 05:34 PM

Anyone spending May weekend in Hastings? First time there (as a departure from the luvverly Upton!) and I have no idea about the score on singarounds/sessions etc? Heading off in that direction with Crouch Vale Clog, but will need definite song fix!

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 05:45 PM

Jack-In-The-Green, Hastings

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: daughter
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 06:03 PM

Thanks for that Diane, I did check out the website - looking forward to it all. I guess I was also looking for some unofficial inspiration and advice from those who've been before! (and to check out if I knew any other Mudcatters who''l be there.........).

Ta

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 06:40 PM

Oh right. Well an awful lot of people seem to spend the entire weekend in the Last In First Out on the seafront of the Old Town. Never been in it myself though.

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 07:42 PM

You've probably never made it there because it's actually called the 'First In, Last Out' (or FILO), it's up the High Street, rather than the seafront and it has a damned fine beer festival all weekend. But it is in the Old Town. Most of the good stuff is in the Old Town. Trouble is, nearly all the cash machines are in the new town! The only cash machine (unless they've put in a new one since last May Day) is conveniently located just outside the best fish and chip shop and at the end of the pedestrianised George Street, where there are some other fine pubs, restaurants and meeting spaces where music is played.

There are also sessions in the Royal Standard, which IS on the seafront, almost.

Hope you make this your first of many Hastings JITG festivals - it'll be my 20somethingth...!

LTS

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 09:16 PM

Sweeps

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: vectis
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 09:59 PM

All I've ever managed to see is the (wonderful) morris dancing in the castle on Mayday itself but nothing to go with it or anywhere to stay. Can someone enlighton me?

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: stormalong
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 02:04 AM

Finding informal singarounds and sessions can be a bit hit-and-miss, unless you are already 'mob handed' and can create your own. Trying to do that single-handed isn't quite the same!

However, there are two relevant items on the program this year: (1) Duke of Wellington from 1pm on Sunday (music and song?) and (2) White Rock Hotel squeezebox session from 8pm Sunday.

Other than that the place most likely to see something happen, in my experience, is the Duke of Wellington, but it can't be guaranteed. I've often wandered from pub to pub, found nothing and given up.

Richard

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 03:58 AM

Hastings isn't really a FOLK fetsival as such. The Jack and the dancing is the main point of it and I think the idea is that everything should be on view to the town and not hidden away in the pubs. There are a couple of organised sessions and some dances and concerts for when the display dancing is over and the dancers want to relax. I'm not sure why a singing session isn't organised but perhaps it's just a reflection of the organisers' tastes.

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 04:25 AM

Hastings has seen in the past, some fantastic mixed sessions where both song and tune have been perpetrated, in the Royal Standard. After a while though, and because there are just so many more musicians than singers, they progressed to music only. The singers then tended to find their way to the Stag.

Try there.

LTS

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: stormalong
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 05:02 PM

Without the Morris Dance backbone Jack in the Green simply wouldn't exist, but the weekend does draw other people including many local people, people who want to celebrate May Day as a pagan festival, and even people who warm to folk culture but have two left feet. When the night closes in, 'hiding away' in a pub session is hardly subversive.

I once went to a very good singing session in the Stag and, in a couple of other years, enjoyed listening to good instrumental sessions there, but in recent years the Stag seems to have become the private domain of one particular group.

Richard

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: SussexCarole
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 05:39 PM

We'll be in Hastings on Sunday & Monday this year for the May Day festival. Looking forward to some song sessions somewhere....

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 26 Apr 08 - 04:00 AM

The Stag's only a private domain if you let it be. The group mentioned is large, boisterous and has it's own songs. Go anyway! They're ok!I've been to sessions in the Stag, the Jenny lind,and the Royal standard in the past, but it changes every year which is part of the fun. The best ale is in the Filo.

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: stormalong
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 09:16 AM

Yes, the Filo is best for beer. My favourite is their Cardinal (porter) accompanied by a bag of chile popadoms...

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 10:16 AM

Are you talking about the same group in the Stag? The make-up of session in the front bar changes as the evening wears on and sometimes there has been a booked band. The singers out the back are usually the same group each year and have been there for longer than 'recent years'. I'm sure they wouldn't mind other singers joining them if room could be found.

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 10:28 AM

Yes they are, Manitas - the group we both know. They haven't been going to Hastings as long as some of us, but go for the same BIG reason.

LTS

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 11:34 AM

The group in the Stag, if it's still there, was always extremely welcoming to anyone who wanted to sing....even those dodgy dutch guys with the improbable rugby songs as I recall.

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: GUEST,The Input
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 11:48 AM

Hastings 'Jack' is a fine festival indeed but not in the same league as Rochester Sweeps. But, I guess, it's each to their own. How dare they hold it so close to Rochester too (around 50 miles away) AND on the same weekend!!! (He he)

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: GUEST,The Input
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 11:57 AM

I used to frequent The Stag when I lived in the town. Some lovely people there in the sessions. Chris Fife (bless him) always made everyone welcome. Well worth a visit. A certain Karen Tweed used to go all the time too. Now, they were great days.

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: GUEST,Essex Girl
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 08:32 AM

I'm coming down to Hastings on Sunday afternoon after dropping my son back to Canterbury. Liz, hope to see you in one of the sessions in the evening.

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 09:53 AM

Used to spend a lot of time around the old town pubs (ex-wife's family lived out on The Ridge by The Harrow pub) with my pal Paul Charman. Haven't seen or heard of him for years - anyone know him, or of him?

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 12:12 PM

I'll take that as a "No" then! :-) :-)

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Dave Earl
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 02:57 PM

Hey now that lady that started the Thread is the Lovely Ali of Crouch Vale Morris, Sidmouth, Miskin and lots of others festivals and the mum of Molly init?

I plan to be in hastings for most of Saturday and Sunday so I hope to run into you somewhere in Hastings.

I shall ,on the recommendation of other chums, be checking out the FILO and the Royal Standard in the hope of a bit of singing.

See ya there

Dave

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: daughter
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 07:45 AM

Brilliant Dave! It'll be great to catch up with you! I was hoping the odd few MBSers would be knocking around - those that aren't at Upton (see my post there!). Yep! Crouch Vale will be out dancing around during the days. We're all camped outside of the town at a site somewhere......caravans at dawn or something! Not sure how much we'll hang around in the evenings (especially with Molly) and to be truthful, as you know, the side is a bit of a "rent-a-party"! I'll find out where we're going to be so you can come along to sess with us!

Much love

Alie xxxxx

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: GUEST,The Input
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 07:53 AM

What's this about having sess in Hastings? Sounds good to me! :-)

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: daughter
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 07:48 PM

Music and singing, I reckon.......absolutely nothing more cheeky than that! Been checking out all the dance spots at clog practice tonight (..........by practice, I of course mean a short set of prancing about until we can justify going to the pub!!). As newbies I guess we'll catch up with all the dancers Saturday lunch time at Winkle Island? Please say hello to Crouch Vale and point us in the right direction! Looking forward to it!

Alie

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work.
Date: 01 May 08 - 07:39 AM

Hastings... any road to the front and turn left as you face the sea. Most of the dancing takes place in the old town - it's nicer and has better pubs and a pedestrian area that isn't a death trap, although in past years it has been a wind tunnel.

See you Saturday afternoon at some point...

LTS

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: stormalong
Date: 05 May 08 - 02:28 AM

I didn't find anything in the Old Town last night (Sunday) but there was a cracking good session in the White Rock Hotel. The atmosphere was brilliant, as was the beer.

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 May 08 - 07:14 PM

It seems the sessions were lacking this year... several reasons why they didn't happen as usual - but it seems people found something to do.

I have hair like straw and a jolly pink sunburned chest now... Summer has definately Cumen in!

LTS

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: SussexCarole
Date: 05 May 08 - 07:21 PM

We went down to Old Town Sunday night, found no sings or sessions so had fish & chips on the seafront and an early night. Beautiful weather today...great procession!

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: daughter
Date: 06 May 08 - 03:57 AM

Well, that was fun! Thanks to all the sides that shared dance spots with us. We ended up having a side session back at the camp ground most evenings 'coz we didn't really find anything. Great procession, although making your way through 24,000 bikes and bikers, plus the tourists on top of that, was interesting!

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 May 08 - 07:12 AM

You think it's interesting doing it as a dancer, you try it carrying a giant!!!

Glad you had a good time. I've worked out that it was my 20th year attending and 19th year in the procession. No wonder my feet hurt!

There's a little story behind this years' Jack...

A few years ago someone who has been heavily involved in the restoration of many traditions (dancing, processional giants, Jacks in the Green), a man called Dave Lobb, made a new face mask for the Hastings Jack. This year, after a run of unseasonal if very British weather, the Bogies and committee decided to change the mask to see if it would break the run... sadly for Lobb, it worked!

Incidentally, there is a fabulous book about the Hastings Jack in the Green now available, with an amazing wealth of information and even more stunning pictures by a Mudcatter Associate. If you PM me, I can pass your details to the appropriate parties and hopefully hook you up with a copy for the right price (to them that is, not to me).

LTS

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: GUEST,Essex Girl
Date: 06 May 08 - 09:46 AM

My first time at Jack-in-the-Green. Great session in the White Rock, and a fantastic procession. Looked for you Liz but couldn't see you.

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 06 May 08 - 11:19 AM

Some pics here http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/EditorialGallery.aspx?ArticleID=4045939&SectionIDs=479

No sign of Liz or me but we were with the giant with the shield and sword. You can see Limpit in the hooped shirt, Penny all in green and Pete.

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 06 May 08 - 02:28 PM

Hah! It's a bugger. Nathandriel always gets his piccy taken but I don't! Good do though!

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 06 May 08 - 02:57 PM

Binsey and his giant chicken got in though! I started my own session in st clements churchyard... No beer but sunshine and you can still smoke! No one joined in with the bottle 'o' wasps though!

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 May 08 - 05:41 PM

Only because I couldn't find me flit gun!

Essex Girl, I was with the giant with the sword and shield, wearing a white dress with green robe, wearing a tricorn hat that glittered in the sun with sequins. For the first half (to the end of George St, the pedestrian bit) I was banging a drum with a nekkid man on it.

LTS

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 07 May 08 - 10:00 AM

"This year, after a run of unseasonal if very British weather, the Bogies and committee decided to change the mask to see if it would break the run"

Now I think about it, isn't it just as likely due to Boris becoming Mayor?

Subject: RE: May Bank in Hastings
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 May 08 - 05:07 PM

No, everyone knows the sun shines out of his arse, and he's busy sitting on that!

LTS