Chester Memories: Giant turnout for Chester's Midsummer Watch Parade

By Chester Chronicle on Jun 29, 09 08:01 AM in Before 1500

GIANTS from across the country converged on Chester at the weekend for the 20th anniversary of the city's modern version of the Midsummer Watch parade.

Primary schools and community groups added their own splash of colour to the pageant dressed as geese, ravens, elephants, angels and devils.

Schools taking part included Boughton Heath, Belgrave, Farndon, Hoole, Cherry Grove, The Arches, Dee Point and Highfield. The Mulberry Centre in Sealand and BiG Storage both created their own giants.

Ceri Fisher, a teacher at The Arches, said: "We really enjoyed creating our costumes and the parade was fantastic."

Artistic director Russell Kirk was pleased with the turnout.

He said: "I think we succeeded in combining a traditional look with a contemporary feel to bring to life a parade which is now probably the biggest of its kind in the North West."

Chester's original Midsummer Watch Parade dates from 1498 and is one of Britain's oldest. It was disbanded in the 1670s but revived in 1989 when Chester man Dave Roberts created the city's family of four giants.

These enormous four metre structures are carried by two or more men. Chester City Council took over running the parade in 1995 and it has grown in strength and popularity since.

Last weekend's event was so big that the giant family led their own parade from Rufus Court.

For more information visit www.midsummerwatch.co.uk

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