Picture special: Ilfracombe’s May celebrations release the Spirit of Summer

Ilfracombe’s annual Jack-in-the-Green Celebrations saw plenty of sparkle, greenery and leaf-clad merriment on Sunday (May 4) - and the popular event brought the sun with it too!

Once again giants, musicians, drummers and green-clad leafy characters paraded through the town, before gathering on the seafront to dance the Maypole.

Above: Plenty of music and merriment as the Jack-in-the-Green pared makes its way through Ilfracombe High Street. Credit: Tim Lamerton Photography

The now iconic Jack-in-the-Green was then stripped of his leafy foliage and the Spirit of Summer was released – hopefully to stay for some time!

The annual event was back on the calendar last year due to public demand after a four-year break and the volunteers who organise it are dedicated to keeping the festivities going.

Above: Maypole dancing on Ilfracombe seafront as part fo the annual Jack-in-the-Green festivities. Credit: Tim Lamerton Photography

As usual, the procession set off from Wilder Road on the seafront and danced its way through the High Street and back down to the seafront, following Jack, accompanied by his entourage and the beat of the Zambia Via Drummers.

Above: ‘Jack’ is stripped of his greenery in what has become an annual Ilfracombe tradition as the ‘spirit of summer’ is (hopefully) released. Credit: Tim Lamerton Photography