Pictures: May merriment at Ilfracombe’s 20th anniversary Jack-in-the-Green celebrations

A blaze of colour, music and dance saw Ilfracombe’s Jack-in-the-Green festivities back where they belong today (Sunday).

Colourful characters, giants, Jack’s ‘leafy lads and lasses’, a samba band and even belly dancers took part in the May procession around the town, before Maypole dancing on the seafront and finally – it is hoped – releasing the ‘spirit of summer’.

Hard-working volunteers resurrected the popular May celebration for this year after a four year gap due to Covid restrictions – and Sunday was also the 20th anniversary of the event, which has been brought back due to public demand.

It has stayed true to its roots, with the colourful procession making its way along the high Street and down to the seafront, where a generous crowd were treated to belly dancing, Maypole dancing and finally ‘Jack’ was stripped of his leafy greenery and the spirit of summer released.

The green-clad and brightly coloured parade included the Samba Baia band from Bideford as well as belly dancers from Shimmy Fit, with Ilfracombe’s original maypole teacher, Garry Thompson, on hand to provide music and encourage the young dancers.

The celebrations were sponsored by Ilfracombe Markets and there was a market on the seafront to add to the occasion.

Ilfracombe’s Jack-in-the-Green Celebrations were started in 2000 by Lisa Sture and current organiser Kelly Raveney took on the mantle in 2016.

She said bringing it back this year had been possible thanks to public support and the help of many volunteers who had given up their time to get everything ready, as well as offers of help and donations of supplies from generous sponsors.

*** See more pictures in our gallery above ***