Burley set to welcome return of Green Man tradition

VILLAGERS will welcome the enigmatic Green Man and Lady back to the New Forest later this month in a revival of a now 170-year-old tradition.

The Green Man parade will be taking place in Burley on 10th May, with everybody invited to take part dressed in green to help the mythical figure – also known as Jack in the Green – find his Lady.

Local folklore says helping him find his elusive partner ensures the Forest will be fruitful and harmonious throughout the year.

The Green Man Association of the New Forest was formed in 2023 to revive this old tradition, which will begin with a gathering at Burley Manor Hotel to raise a Green Man flag.

He will then address the people before a performance by Morris dancers and a parade through the village, accompanied by drummers, to the New Forest Cider site.

The Green Man will then call for help to find and encourage the Green Lady to appear.

Afterwards villagers and visitors will make their way back to Burley to frequent its hostelries, including the Queen’s Head, where they will raise a glass to John Bromfield of Verely near Ringwood - the Burley postman who first portrayed the Green Man in the 1850s.

Organisers said: “After the huge success of last year’s event, we are so happy and proud to announce that the Green Man Parade is back this year.”

Describing the event’s history, they said that from the late 1850s to the late 1860s, the parade was held in Burley on May Day, involving the local church and school children, and would last for most of the day.

The school would run activities in the run up to the event and select a May Queen to be a part of the parade.

The day would begin with a flag raising at the then newly built Burley Manor, followed by a parade to Shappen Bottom where a gathering would be held and a maypole erected.

At some point, a figure would emerge called the Jack in the Green and would dance around to amuse the children, while songs were sung and gifts were given out, followed by tea and cake.

Organisers added: “This was all done to celebrate the coming of May and the onset of summer and to secure the fertility of the New Forest for another year.”

A drawing of the event was published in the June 1852 edition of the Illustrated London News, which covered the event.