Monday 2 May 2011

My World - Green Man Day 2011




Once again, Green Man, armed with nothing but his stout staff, must battle the fearsome, sword-wielding Frost Queen for supremacy on the bridge at Valley's End.

Inevitably, he wins; there would be no Spring and no May Festival otherwise, which would be very sad. So all the shouting and clashing of wills on the bridge is worth it, although it does seem rather silly at times; but then, that is tradition, they say, like the Morris Dancers, the Mummers' Play, the Maypole Dancing, the Marching Bands and Drummers, the duck races on the river, and the folk music groups. It brings the tourists and there is the fine sound of jingling tills to accompany the festivities.

Just for the weekend, sleepy Valley's End is transformed into a lively centre for music, street theatre, tradition, colour and fun. Children love it. The meadow below the Castle becomes a huge playground, with stalls selling everything from food to folk art.




Boys having fun tumbling in a small pool in four huge balloons called Ecoplay Waterwalkers,




whereas these medieval sword fighters and jousters don't appear to enjoy themselves very much. That Knight seems to resent me pointing the camera at him.


The Castle ruins remain unperturbed, they've seen it all before; they've survived since the 12th century and will, no doubt, be standing here for a few years more.



Every village fair needs its beer tent, tea shop and food stalls, here is the board of just one of them. Fine dining it isn't, but Benno will have a wonderful time tomorrow sniffing out whatever fell off paper plates or was dropped by excited children.



That's My World is the inspiration for this post.


32 comments:

  1. it looks wonderful but i have to ask.. what on earth is the falic like thing with the green man? its behind the white flower and made me chuckle hehehe xx

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  2. Sounds and looks so fun! I'm sure you've had a great time!


    I have Finally Spring in my World entry at my blog. Hope you can visit me as well! :)

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  3. Hooray for the Green Man! This festival looks like tons of fun. :)

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  4. Looks like a great day out even if you did get a bit of a steely stare from knight in armour!

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  5. I love the Green Man! I didn't know there was a festival anywhere. I have a wall plaque of him outside my front door, and if I ever get a tattoo, it will be him!

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  6. Oh, how I would enjoy this! And it looks like you had lovely weather, too.

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  7. Friko, is this Green Man the same as my Green Man? If so, was it just a coincidence that we posted about him at the same time?

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  8. I love European festivals...went to a Celtic Festival down near my house this past weekend...I felt very Irish.

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  9. this looks and sounds like so much fun! i love going to these fairs...that is a cool green man mask...i am glad he is winning here...

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  10. A most interesting and well written post!

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  11. Tracey...I saw it too. I even saw it before the Green Man and was wondering Is THAT what I think it is???


    And my next question which is not in all related to the first part of my comment. How do you get into the balls?



    How do you get inside the balls.

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  12. You probably already know this, but you seem to live in a dream. What a joy it must have been. Thank you for this escape.

    Once, a decade ago, was nearly looking like those knights. Thank you for the memories. Please have you all a good Tuesday.

    daily athens

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  13. What fun. Looks like a fair gathering. that sort of stuff is much more entertaining I would think if you participate instead of just watching. Perhaps you should be the Frost Queen next year.

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  14. It looks rather fun -- A handsome Green Man. He's won the battle here, for sure.

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  15. I know some children who would love this!
    — K (Grandma Kay, Auntie Kay, Great-auntie Kay)

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  16. Judging by the lovely sun shining and all the spectators in short sleeve shirts, perhaps your knight was just too hot with all the layers he wore?
    What a fun gathering and the menu on the chalkboard looks so enticing!
    Thank you for sharing another peek at your part of the world.

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  17. Sounds like a fabulously fun time... eager children running from booth to stall, searching their hearts for just the right toll. Similar to our Renasaince Days I presume. Fun for all, yet thrilling especially for the young ones.

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  18. What a feeling of well-being to be outand about in that beautiful arena! And is that Benno running around and sniffing? Oh, he had a marvelous time! That was fun. I remember dimly dancing the Maypole, but how wonderful to have a celebration of springtime in the present! ♥

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  19. What a wonderful festival on a beautiful day! I would love to watch the reenactment.

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  20. Like Royal weddings , a great day out for the whole family ! Knights are a must , of course . They lend tone to any event .

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  21. This is the perfect blog for anyone who wants to know about this topic. You know so much it’s almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want...Ha-ha). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

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  22. i'm so glad the green man sent the ice queen home. thanks for hosting the event. somebody had to!!! best of luck to benno - happy hunting bud! steven

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  23. Oh how fun!!! Love fairs! Medieval and otherwise!! Much to see and do! Great camera opportunities!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  24. This would be so much fun! Love it - maybe some day....

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  25. I would make myself sick if I ate half the items on that menu. Love the Green Man. I have a trio of them hanging on my fence out back. Dianne

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  26. What a fun day! I most definitely need to try those water walkers. But, I do have a huge favor to ask... Can you please send Green Man our way? Somebody needs to chase our Frost Queen outta town!

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  27. I was away for all of the glorious, unusually kindly, April. I missed St Catherine's Day and arrived too late for Oxford's May morning... Half my potted plants are dead from the drought. What an extraordinary spring I missed! Worse, it was exceptionally unpleasant in the USA.

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  28. what a wonderful festival, Friko




    Warm Aloha from Waikiki


    Comfort Spiral

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  29. Porridge and Shropshire Fidget: Yum!

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  30. What a day, and what poetics
    sprouted from his staff:


    Green Man

    Once again, Green Man, armed
    with nothing but his stout staff,
    must battle the fearsome,
    sword-wielding Frost Queen for supremacy
    on the bridge at Valley's End.

    Inevitably, he wins;
    there would be no Spring
    and no May Festival otherwise,
    which would be very sad.

    So all the shouting and clashing of wills
    on the bridge is worth it,
    although it does seem rather silly at times;
    but then, that is tradition, they say,
    like the Morris Dancers,
    the Mummers' Play,
    the Maypole Dancing,
    the Marching Bands and Drummers,
    the duck races on the river,
    and the folk music groups.

    It brings the tourists
    and there is the fine sound
    of jingling tills
    to accompany the festivities.

    Friko

    ReplyDelete
  31. The Green Man must be acknowledged - what fun for all the family. The smell of hot food must fill the air . . . not sure whether that's good or not;-)

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