Hastings Jack in the Green event wins £30,000 in National Lottery funding

This will cover many of the costs of staging the event in 2026, allow it to build upon community activities, and to share traditional May Day and Sussex customs widely with local people.

The local celebration is well-loved and enjoyed by around 20,000 locals and visitors each year.

Over the May Day weekend there is a full programme of events, talks, workshops and performances, many of which are free.

Jack in the Green’s Lorna Hall said: “Thanks to our funding, this year we are working with four schools, three libraries, several Scouts groups and many local community groups such as the White Rock Youth Theatre, the Fellowship of St Nicholas, Aspens, Playing the Race Card, and the Ukrainian Monday group and Saturday school.

"We'll be running workshops on ceilidh and Morris dancing, traditional crafts, costume making and interactive storytelling.

“We will be holding our first ever family ceilidh, and a special Sunday event with a focus on processional giants. Plus our usual sing-arounds, dances, concerts and family friendly workshops - this year with special quieter, SEND sessions added.

“Our costs rise each year, especially since we have fully absorbed all responsibilities and costs of the West Hill event. We still greatly appreciate all donations, ticket and merchandise sales, and business support through greenery decorating and advertising. These ensure we can build resilience and keep the event happening longer term.”

Jack in the Green Chair and founder Keith Leech said: “We’re delighted with this award, which was made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. We are really pleased that the importance of this significant traditional community event has been recognised. Funding is always an issue and this means we are able to keep it going another year."

National Lottery Project Grants is the Arts Council’s open access programme for arts, museums and libraries projects. The fund supports thousands of individual artists, community and cultural organisations thanks to National Lottery investment.

National Lottery players raise over £30 million for good causes each week, funding arts, heritage, sports, voluntary and charity projects around the UK. Over £43 billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery began in 1994.