Gloucester Day parade celebrates city's legacy

A festival to celebrate a city's history is set to return with parades, entertainment and live music.

Gloucester Day is an annual event commemorating the lifting of the Siege of Gloucester in 1643 - one of the pivotal moments of the English Civil War.

Celebrations begin at 09:45 BST at Gloucester Cross, where local organisations, community groups and charities will be hosting stalls.

"Gloucester Day is an organic catalyst and celebration of everything that is good and positive in this great city of ours," said Gloucester town crier, Alan Myatt.

The first parade, led by the Mock Mayor of Barton, leaves from Constitution Walk at 11:00 BST, ending at Southgate Street.

A different person is chosen to play the mock mayor each year and its origins date back to King Charles II.

The role is awarded to those who have done good work in the community, and this year it is Viva O'Flynn, secretary of the Gloucester Filipino Association.

A service of thanksgiving will take place at St Mary De Crypt before the parade resumes again through the city at 14:00 BST followed by a demonstration of musketry at the Folk of Gloucester.

Robert Scott, one of the organisers, said: "We have the Gloucester Waites (modelled on a band of musicians from the 16th and 17th Centuries) playing medieval music and Bygonz, who play the hurdy gurdy, and a band from Cheltenham.

"The parade is very long, probably half-a-mile, so it takes a bit of marshalling."

Leader of Gloucester City Council, Jeremy Hilton, said: "Gloucester Day helps make our city the unique and special place it is."

Gloucester Day takes place as part of Gloucester History Festival, which runs from 6 to 21 September.

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