Recreating the Midsummer Watch - A Community Partnership

Re-building

After a lapse of 300 years, the revival of the Midsummer Watch Parade started with a new giant being built and walking in Chester at midsummer  1989. A second Giant followed in 1990 plus a Unicorn and Dragon.The Giants and Beasts were re-built by local schools and community groups and a spectacular new Merchants Mount was re-created. Surviving documentary evidence was used to ensure that the essential character of this unique Parade is as true to the original as possible.

The Midsummer Watch Parade is now firmly established as a major city festival and an important tourist attraction. In 1996, over twenty local groups took part and the Parade drew audiences of many thousands. The 500th Anniversary of the first Watch Parade in 1998 attracted much media attention including a feature on BBC Television. The 1999 event continued to grow adding a new character 'The Devil in Feathers'.

New Characters

The 2000 Parade
Introduced more new characters, the Elephant was re-built standing over 13ft complete with castle and cupid firing arrows, a new Camel also joined the parade. The popular Dragon was joined by a swarm of small dragons, we also had small Unicorns.

The 2001 Midsummer Watch Parade
Saw the family of Giants back in the country after their first ever trip outside the UK (they joined the Mulberry Street Players in Sens, France in April taking part in the Foire Regionale de Sens.) New characters included a 'hobby horse' baby dragon, a small lifeboat and a 3 metre Blue Coat Boy.

The 2002 Midsummer Watch Parade
Added a giant Raven to the cast of characters, in recognition of the birds that nested in Chester's Town Hall in 1996, the first time these huge birds had nested on a building in England since the 15th century, ensuring their place in ornithological history.

The ravens have nested on Chester Cathedral since 1997 raising 4-5 young every year (the famous ravens at the Tower of London are bred in captivity, have their wings clipped and cannot be classed as wild). Ravens have an established place in world folklore from Norse mythology, German and Native American.

New characters in 2003
Included the Tree of Life and Noah's Ark plus Pike men, a new dragon and a replacement Hellmouth.  For the first time the parade coincided with the return of the Chester Mystery Plays.

2005
welcomed a new dragon and St George to the parade

2006
Saw the addition of a white stag, Tattenhall Park Primary School brought a group of pirates to the parade and for the first time St Werburgh was invited to join the parade from Chester Cathedral West door. The parade also welcomed Gavin amd Irene Dee 106.3 radio DJ's who led the Angels and Fiery monsters. This parade was the last to be designed by Mary Lewery who has worked on the parade for 10 years.

The 2007  festival
Was dedicated to St Werburgh and was the finale for the St Werburgh festival. A new Black Dragon was born this year, with smoke billowing from its nose. The parade continues to grow with more schools joining and huge crowds.

2008
Welcomed students from the College Des Champs Plaisants (Sens) who joined Upton High School as Brennus and the Gauls, Julius Caesar and the Romans. Another new addition was the British Navy, performed by Rhyn Park High School.

Highlights of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 parades can be watched on the YouTube web site.

How To Get Involved!

Taking part in the Midsummer Watch Parade can be a remarkable experience for young and old alike. Schools can link their involvement to a wide range of curricular activities; including history, art, music and drama.

Participating groups are encouraged to take responsibility for a themed section of the Parade. Working with our Artistic Director, each group then creates the simple costumes and props which are needed for each "scene" in the Parade.

Individuals and families are equally welcome.

Visit the Midsummer Watch website for more pictures, video and dtails about how to join the parade.