Summerpole
What is Summer Pole?
Guildford's Summer Games are first recorded in the early 16th Century. The festival is celebrated by a procession led by the Summer Court to Abbot's Hospital at the top of the High Street where, at the King's behest, 'games' in the form of Morris dancing are provided for the entertainment of the Court and assembled multitudes. The Summer Pole is then borne to the castle grounds and erected where there is more dancing and merriment until the Court retires for lunch. A second procession in the afternoon concludes with the Pole being taken down for another year.
The Summer Pole Procession consists of…
- Sword Bearer to clear the way
- The Summer Court: The King (and/or Queen), Princes, Princesses
- Barker loitering alongside with his fertility cake
- The Garland, a wreath of spring shoots to welcome the summer
- The Pole borne in procession by Guildford's own Pilgrim Morris Men
- The Barrel for the refreshment of the entertainers provided by our ever generous sponsor, the Hog's Back Brewery (www.hogsback.co.uk) of Tongham (damn fine ale!)
- The Entertainment: Pilgrim Morris Men and other invited guests
- Jack in the Green… Somewhere within all this. Too old to describe!
- And Hobby Animals - mythical creatures of the folk world
What's normally happens?
| 10.30am | Procession from the bottom of the High Street (The Star) to Abbot's Hospital (opposite Holy Trinity Church) with 'Summer Court', Summerpole, Garland, 'Bush' and dancers. |
| 11.00am | Dancing outside Abbots Hospital. |
| 12.00noon | Process via Tunsgate to the Castle Green. Erection of the Summerpole. Dancing. |
| Lunch | |
| 2.30pm | Dancing at various venues in and around the High Street. |
| 3.30pm | Proceed to the Castle Green. Removal of Summerpole. Final dancing. |
| Tea… | …and biscuits. Thirsty work, all that dancing! |
Although this may vary due to factors such as:
- Royal Decree
- Quantity of Morris Dancers
- Weather
- Almost anything
Morris dancing — you know it makes sense
