Not your everyday web site!
Sunday 6th May saw Whitstable Castle come alive for the giant naming ceremony.
People were encouraged to congregate at the main gate to the castle to await the procession at 12 noon, where we would find out the long awaited name of Whitstable’s own giant!
Jeanne Harrison; followed by a trio of musicians and members of the public wound their way to the fountain garden, where everyone would get the first sight of the giant and it’s heads together for the first time. As Jeanne crested the hill; and saw for the first time the giant, she actually looked excited and well impressed with the work carried out by Strange Cargo on behalf of Canterbury City Council and the people of Whitstable.
The sun was out, the sky was blue (ish) and the castle was buzzing as Jeanne hopped up onto a box and addressed the crowd. We didn’t have long to wait as she rolled off the names of the heads along with the customary thanks to all involved in this venture.
First we had Bobbing the sea horse, then Dollar Dan the divers helmet, then; what we had all been waiting for, the name of the Whitstable giant.
This would be a name chosen by people of the town (London included by the looks of it) to represent us when the giant went on tour. This name would have either a historic connection to the town or show some part of English history that Whitstable had a hand in. So what’s he called you ask?
Captain Sam!
Of course, everyone knows the famous sea captain who put Whitstable on the map don’t they? The man who invented the diving helmet, the man who helped construct the famous Crab & Winkle Railway, the man who ran rings round the law with his smuggling gang, the same man who told all the bloody Londoners what a fantastic place Whitstable was. Well he was probably none of these!
Now with the naming ceremony taking place the day before May Day, you would expect Sam and his mates to make their first outing in the May Day Parade!
No, sorry he’s not traditional enough to walk amongst the likes of Jack O Green and the rest of the Morris troupes, you will just have to wait for the Oyster Festival to get your first glimpse of Captain Sam and the heads.
25K and still we don’t get to see him for another couple of months. All traditions have to start somewhere, so why not let our giant tradition start on May Day?
After seeing the number of people that turned out to hear the giant naming, and after seeing all the work (minus the name) that has gone into the construction of this project, I for one can’t wait to see Sam on the streets of Whitstable.
Congratulations to Strange Cargo for making Sam look human, unlike Lily of Herne Bay!
Apologies to all the fine people from Herne Bay. Not only is your giant a troll, but your football team needs a face-lift as well! Come on you reds!!!!
Bloody hell! I have only just updated the site and already an inhabitant of Herne Bay is having a pop at me calling Lily a troll. Get a life, she has got a face only a mother or Stevie Wonder would love. Even botox would not help your giant, and your football team still sucks!
Please note, the comments expressed on this site are mine and not those of the people of Sheppey who like that lived in look Lily displays.
