saturday 3rd may 2008
More about the Bristol Jack
More about the Bristol Jack
(All information about the route is intended as a rough guide only.)
Jack leaves the Arnolfini (Prince Street entrance) at 10.30 am on the morning of the first Saturday in May. His awakening at the start of his journey is brought about by the music and dancing of his attendants, and he sets off along the harbourside towards the Centre.
Jack's first dance, after waking in the centre of Bristol
From the Centre, Jack travels to Broadmead, on his way passing along King Street and Welsh Back, through St Nicholas Market, then along Wine Street and Union Street, and into the centre of Broadmead.
From Broadmead, Jack travels along the Horsefair and across the Haymarket by the Bay Horse, then up Maudlin Street and to the very top of St Michael's Hill.
With his attendants, outside the White Bear
From the top of St Michael's Hill, Jack travels through Kingsdown, Cotham and Redland. He crosses into Clarence Place and dances along the narrow paths between the houses, eventually arriving on Kingsdown Parade.
Next he passes along Cotham Side, Clare Road and Fremantle Road, before processing along Redland Grove and Carnarvon Road.
Among the green leafiness of Redland Grove
Finally, Jack makes his way up Gloucester Road from the junction with Zetland Road. He dances along the Promenade, and then among the Saturday afternoon shoppers, all the way to Ash Road, where he turns and heads for Horfield Common.
At Horfield Common, the attendants mark the end of Jack's journey with a final dance. But now Jack must die, to release the Spirit of Summer.
Jack dies at Horfield
Jack's foliage is stripped and taken away by onlookers, to celebrate the arrival of Summer.
Stripping the leaves and spreading Summer happiness
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