Rochester Sweeps Festival 2024.
‘The Rochester Sweeps Festival is a celebration deeply rooted in history,dating back 300 years,when chimney sweeping was both a grimy necessity and a tough trade,especially for the chimney boys who bore the brunt of the labour.
1st May,the Sweeps’ yearly holiday,provided a much-needed respite,marked by a joyous procession winding through the streets.
For three days historic Rochester is transformed into a riot of colour and sound with the best musicians and bands on the folk circuit and hundreds of Morris dancers from across the country clattering their clogs and clashing their sticks up and down the high street
The festival is free for all to enjoy.’
‘Saturday,4 May
The festival will be officially opened at 10:45am by the Mayor of Medway,immediately followed by a dance showcase.
The day full of live music,dance and song will go on until evening,moving into Rochester’s vibrant pubs.
Sunday,5 May
Festivities begin at 11am,and this day is full of both traditional and modern twists on this historic celebration.
Enjoy music and dance until evening,where again festivities will continue in local pubs.
Monday,6 May
Celebrations kick off at 11am, with another day full of live music and dance,with the last event starting at 7pm’.
https://www.visitmedway.org/events/rochester-sweeps-festival-2024-79679/
How do I get to Rochester ?
‘By train
Rochester train station is only a few minutes’ walk away from the High Street,where festivities take place.
Rochester is well connected to London,especially London Victoria and St Pancras stations – there you can catch a train to Rochester in under one hour.
There are also direct trains from Canterbury,Sittingbourne,Gravesend and lots more.
Please note: trains to Rochester are limited on Sunday, 5 May,but you can still travel by train into Strood and enjoy a short 10-minute walk into town.
Bus replacements will also be available.
By Car
Car parking in central Rochester will be very limited,so we recommend travelling by public transport.
However we will be offering our Park & Walk service.
Park & Walk: During Rochester Sweeps Festival,you can park your vehicle at *Jackson’s Field in Rochester (ME4 6TJ) and enjoy a short 10-minute walk to Rochester High Street. Cost of parking is £3 per vehicle and site closes at 7pm.
No overnight parking.
*Added by EBR-UK-Not disabled friendly,very steep hill to get to Rochester High Street.
By Bus
Arriva Southern Counties provides a frequent 10-minute bus service daily between historic Rochester and Chatham Maritime.
It also operates several other services throughout Medway and further afield from Chatham Waterfront Bus Station’.
https://www.visitmedway.org/events/rochester-sweeps-festival-2024-79679/
Rochester Town Centre,
Kent,
England.
ME1 1DJ
http://www.towncentremap.co.uk/england/rochester.html
Video is just to show the High Street in Rochester,Kent,England where the festival will be,please check dates and times before/if you go.
1 Comment
Chimney Sweeps and Climbing Boys
'The chimney sweep,or climbing boys as they were often called,was a harsh profession to be in and most likely one that would severely cut your life short.
Those employed were often orphans or from impoverished backgrounds,sold into the job by their parents.
With some as young as four or five perhaps not quite strong enough,six years of age was often the time considered most appropriate to enter the profession.
The perils of the job were vast,allowing for the fact that many a chimney would still be very hot from a fire and with some still maybe on fire, the skin of the boys would be left stripped and raw from the friction whilst a less dexterous child could possibly have found themselves completely stuck.
The position of a child jammed in a chimney would have often resulted in their knees being locked under their chins with no room to unlock themselves from this contorted position, some would find themselves stranded for hours whilst the lucky ones could be helped out with a rope.
Those less fortunate would simply suffocate and die in the chimney forcing others to remove the bricks in order to dislodge the body, the verdict given by the coroner after the loss of a young life was “accidental death”.'
https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/History-Boy-Chimney-Sweep/