I love our country’s folklore and our pagan events, and it’s been a journey to try and visit them when possible. The winter watch is a fabulous parade full of excitement in the depths of winter. Takes us nicely to the Solstice.
So it originally dates from the 1400’s Chester’s Winter Watch Parade was held at Christmas. This would entail The City leaders that would hand over the keys to the City to the City Watch ( these were the early police force) after walking around the City to ensure it was secure. Then there would be a banquet that follows and the celebration of Christmas, knowing the City was safe.
This Winter Watch Parade was re-created and brought back (thank goodness) by the Council in the 1990’s. However unlike the Midsummer Watch which was re-created by using the City archives, the Winter Watch instead has been turned into a fun parade in the lead up to Christmas. They do use some of the characters from the Summer Watch, this is a smaller evening parade. Although the cast of characters changes slightly but generally consists of
- Karamba Samba Band dressed as ghosts and ghouls
- The Lord of Misrule
- Cooks
- Devils
- Dragons
- Angels
- Fire skeletons
- Ice Queens
- Jack Frost
- Tree of Life
- Giant Santa & Snowman
They have added a fire breathing finale, and the winter watch are joined by Chester Re-enactment group joining as the Chester Watch and a group of giant skeletons, Roman Tours have also joined adding the Midsummer Watch Chariot and a skeleton Emperor .
This parade starts at 7pm, from the Forum Shopping Centre. And the parade continues around the City centre including St Werburgh Street, Northgate Street and Bridge Street. There are performances including dance, fire breathing and sword fights in Eastgate Street outside Brown’s of Chester and in the Town Hall Square.
Hipster 