A HISTORIC parade returned to Chester at the weekend, with the Midsummer Watch one of the country's oldest and most colourful street events dating from 1498.

Taking place across Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25, the procession began in Town Hall square at 2pm and saw an impressive turnout, with Chester's family of giants making their way through the city centre. A downpour sent some running for cover on Sunday but many stayed after performers ploughed on as the heavens opened on Eastgate Street.

The parade route included St Werburgh Street, Eastgate Street, The Cross and Bridge Street, finishing back at Town Hall Square for the finale.

The Summer Watch was originally performed by the City Guilds at Midsummer. It was disbanded in the 1670’s before being revived in 1989, featuring the Chester family of giants. The Midsummer Watch 'Family of Giants' the father, mother and two daughters are towering four metre figures.

Chester and District Standard: Chester's family of giants walks down Eastgate Street.Chester's family of giants walks down Eastgate Street. (Image: Welshie Dale via Facebook)

The parade was led by the City Guilds and Chester’s Karamba Samba Band, with dragons, angels, pirates, the Chester ravens, unicorn, stag, hobby horses, St Werburgh (and her geese), green men, Balaam's Ass, Cernunnus the Celtic lord of the forest, and a devil Band.

Later additions to the parade include an antelope in 2019 discovered following research in the archives from 1660 as being part of the parade joining The Hippogriff from Greek Mythology.

The Sheriff of Chester, Councillor Hugo Deynem joined the parade on Saturday, with the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Razia Daniels taking part on Sunday.

Chester and District Standard: Performers ploughed on despite the heavy rain.Performers ploughed on despite the heavy rain. (Image: Welshie Dale via Facebook)

Hoole Primary School, Dee Point, Belgrave, Cherry Grove and Guilden Sutton also took part by creating characters for the parade in workshops run by artist Lucy Jones.

Pageants such as the Summer Watch became regular in the reigns of the Tudors and Stuarts. They were used to honour princes, to promote virtue and to discourage vice. The Summer Watch is the only event of this nature to have survived into the modern era.

Speaking ahead of the event, Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: "What a majestic way to complete a packed June with the return of the Midsummer Watch Parade. This is a true community event with a huge cast of local people helping to celebrate Chester’s unique history."