I had the most incredible time being at the Deptford Jack in the Green on Friday celebrating Beltane. The folk custom of having a jack parading along the streets dated back to at least the 19th century and inspired by the popular Hastings version, it was brought back in the 1980s. It is a much smaller affair, but full of energy and bonhomie with people just coming together and celebrating community. I loved it💚
The jack is built the night before at the Dog and Bell pub and it's here where it sets off around on its route. There is one fellow in there who leaps about with great skill and the chap in the green tatters is one of the bogies who leads him because, as you can imagine, he only has a very restricted view. The following procession is made up of musicians and morris dancers together with the sparkly pink 'obby 'oss which spins and whirls. You soon learn to give it space and the legendary Deptford Gut Girls. They worked down at the docks gutting all the slaughtered animals and were known for their raucous unruly behaviour. Originally it was a man's job, but they took over in 1891 after and a strike and were noted for receiving a higher rate of pay than most working class women of that era.
It was a warm day in London so we were mightily relieved when we stopped for a break by the Thames and enjoyed the breeze coming in off the river. As it was lunchtime by then my friend and I sought out a spot of shade in which to enjoy our lunch, but people kept finding us and asking us if we minded them taking our photo. The salmon got a lot of love!
My friend is Deptford born and bred and although she moved to Sussex a few years ago [hence the connection] she comes back regularly to see friends and family. One of the advantages of being with someone who knows the area like the back of her hand was that she knew exactly where to go to get ahead so that we could get a table at the next pub pitstop and enjoy a quiet drink before the mayhem started again. We stuck it out until the last but one place, but we were both had been on our feet for hours and were ready to head home. The jack returns to the original pub at the end where he is slain and the greenery is handed out to the audience. I only caught a few glimpses of what this part of South London has to offer, but I'll finish with a few shots I took in passing. I think it likely that we might go back up there one day and she'll show me around properly, but on a day when it's not chock a block with people.
Arilx
