The Clun Green Man Festival is a traditional annual event with music, drama and medieval merriment, celebrating the arrival of spring.
The highlight of the festival is a playful ‘battle’ between two characters, ‘The Green Man’ and ‘The Frost Queen’; symbolising a battle between the seasons of winter and spring.
For those who haven’t heard of The Green Man before, he was once a popular mythical figure used to symbolise rebirth and was often used to represent spring. The Green Man, with his face of leaves and other vegetation, can still be found in various forms around the country. He is commonly seen in wood and stone carvings on buildings and furniture, as well as on traditional signs for pubs named The Green Man. Clun’s version of The Green Man is unique to the area, with a face made of leaves, and deer antlers on his head.
The Clun Green Man Festival kicks off on Sunday 5th May as The Frost Queen’s Battle takes place in The Square. Visitors to the festival will be able to watch as The Green Man attempts to defeat The Frost Queen in this historic mock battle. As well as the battle, there will be plenty of traditional street entertainment including Morris dancing and Jack the Jester.
On Monday 6th May, there will be another battle between The Green Man and The Frost Queen. This is the most important day of the festival, as tradition states that if The Green Man does not defeat The Frost Queen there will be no summer in Clun Valley!
The day begins with some pre-battle entertainment as Morris dancers perform in the square and on the bridge. At 12 noon, The Green Man approaches the bridge accompanied by the May Queen, ready for their famous battle.
Following the battle, the fair in Clun Castle Field will open. This year’s entertainment will include live folk music, Maypole dancing, a medieval village, working horses, pony rides, circus skills, a craft market and traditional craft demonstrations.
When: 5th & 6th May 2019
Where: Clun, Shropshire
£: Events in the square are free. Events on the Castle Field are ticketed (£8 for adults or £2 for children under ten years)
More info: www.clungreenman.org.uk