May Bank Holiday Monday in Rochester

If circumstances over the May Day weekend permit my family like to attend at least one day of the Sweeps festival in Rochester Kent. Morris dancing, Castle, Folk music, beer, Cathedral, hog roast… what’s not to enjoy? 
A few photographs below.

Two young women of the Gong Scourers side dance rapper.

Musicians of Hands Around from Basildon Essex

Cotswolds Morris danced in the traditional way. 

The three days of music and dancing ends with a parade through Rochester to the castle green. The parade is led by Jack-in-the-green.

Musicians of Wolf’s Head and Vixen

When I was a child the last ‘float’ of Bethnal Green carnival was always the council dustcart. Today the parade ended with these witches
“Witch’s besom Witch’s broom
Sweep up darkness, sweep up gloom”.

Photographs E Weatherwax May 2016