Shick-Shack Day in Hampshire is the traditional name for Oak Apple Day, which is celebrated annually on 29th May to mark King Charles II’s birthday and his restoration to the the throne (after hiding in an oak tree during the Civil War).

Following the Civil War Oliver Cromwell’s protectorate had closed the pubs and ale houses, closed the theatres, banned holidays & music in public places, banned most sport and ladies the make-up had to go. As if that wasn’t enough, they also banned Christmas and Easter Feasts! When Charles II was returned to the throne, the country basically got its ‘fun’ back…. Oak Apple Day is all about having FUN.

Traditionally Oak Apple Day was marked by village celebrations and people wearing oak leaves or ‘oak apples’ (galls) to show loyalty, while those who didn’t, risked being nettled and yelled at with “shick-shack”.

This old celebration is still enacted in parts of Hampshire and it’s great to see how the youngsters and not so young in Whitchurch, Hampshire are helping to keep this old tradition alive……

Whitchurch After School Club and the young people from Montessori Nursery learnt about the king in the tree and produced this amazing display for the Town Hall… thanks went to Whitchurch in Bloom for assembling the art work; residents hit the walking trails searching out the Parishes oaks and Whitchurch Walkers are Welcome footpath team celebrated with an away day to nearby Goodworth Clatford to admire the village’s ancient oak still thriving in the riverside meadow and, following a short walk criss crossing the chalk stream, they finished up at the Royal Oak Goodworth Clatford for lunch… a very pleasant way to start planning this year’s footpath cutting.

Did you know that the Royal Oak is one of the most common pub names in the United Kingdom, and if you ever pass by a public house bearing that name, you will now know the fascinating story behind it and how it links back to one of the most turbulent and important periods of British history.

How did you celebrate ‘Shick Shack’ – Oak Apple Day?