Winter Watch

If you have been following my blips you will have picked up that we like nothing better than a good parade here in Chester. Last week it was the Lantern Parade, this week and next week we have the Winter Watch Parade and the week after we will be celebrating Saturnalia.

The Winter Watch Parade was recreated in the 1990's but is rooted back in the 1400's when the Winter Watch Parade was held at Christmas. The City leaders would hand over the keys of the city to the City Watch after processing around the city to ensure that it was secure. There then followed a banquet and a celebration of Christmas.

It may not be on the scale of Rio at Carnival but it brings people out and everyone seems to enjoy it.

You will find some more images from tonight's parade on my photoblog here, including the wonderful ice maidens who have previously featured on my blip.

I have taken part in a few of these parades when I played in the samba band which provides the heartbeat for most of Chester's parades.