Clun Green Man Festival 2007
This unique three-day May Bank Holiday festival combines history and tradition with a strong sense drama and fun. 2008 promises more music than in recent years, with Clun Memorial Hall hosting two major gigs – the Oysterband on Saturday 3 May (with support from Clunton-based Emma & the Professor and Jonathan Draper), and The Hamsters on Sunday 4 May.
There will also be more music as part of the Medieval Street Fair on Sunday, with a lively schedule of entertainment starting at noon, to include the Rhythm Maker and Ffonic, plus comedian Rex Boyd with his unique audience participation Robin Hood act. Admission on Sunday is free. Last year the Green Man tried to take over from the Frost Queen a day early but was roundly rebuffed. Rumour has it that he may be planning to try again…!
The Sun Inn has open folk sessions with Kent Travelling Folk on Friday and Saturday evenings and at lunchtime on Sunday. In addition, Green Man expert Dr Colin Harris, whose popular series of talks last year explained the origins and meanings of the Green Man, will give his talk, “The Green Man, Grotesques, Gargoyles and Medieval Beasties” at Hightown Community Centre on Sunday after the street entertainment finishes.
At noon on Monday 5 May the Green Man enters Clun in a procession through the town accompanied by the May Queen, maypole dancers, Morris dancers and entertainers. The Frost Queen is accompanied by her Frost Maidens. There follows the dramatic Battle on the Bridge: if the Green Man fails to beat the Frost Queen the Clun Valley will have no Summer (did anyone actually see him defeat her last year?).
After the battle, the Green Man opens the Traditional May Fair in the historic setting of Clun Castle Meadow. There will be maypole dancing, medieval knights, duck racing, archery, circus workshops, musicians and entertainers plus a wide range of stalls with an emphasis on local crafts. Craft demonstrations will be provided by a potter, a blacksmith, a bodger (greenwood worker), and a clogmaker.
A wide choice of refreshments will be available (tea tent, beer tent, vegetarian food, etc). Entry to the May Fair costs £3 for adults, £1 for accompanied children, children under 5 free.
Event Information
For more information on the festival visit www.clungreenman.org.uk
Oysterband website: www.oysterband.co.uk
Hamsters website: www.thehamsters.co.uk
Also see links below for photos & video from the 2007 Festival
