The Sweeps Festival is held in Rochester and is held in honor of the men and children who swept chimneys or were even used as chimney sweeps themselves. The sweepers would have only one time out of the whole year to leave their jobs and go to celebrate. It would usually be held on May 1st, and they would go celebrating through the streets of Rochester. The Jack-in-the-Green, a seven-foot character, would be woken at dawn on Blue Bell Hill, Chatham, and would then parade through the streets with the sweepers. An act was passed through Parliament in 1868, called the Climbing Boys' Act, which made it illegal for young boys to be used as sweeps. After this act, the festival gradually declined with the last celebration held in the early 1900s.
This year marks the 31st year of the celebration. It is a three-day event, that wouldn't even be held if it wasn't for Gordon Newton, a historian, who brought it back in 1981. Next year in 2012, it will be held on May 5-7. It is celebrated by Morris dancing and music that is directed by Doug Hudson. Today, it is known as the largest May Day celebration in England.
On this link, you will find how they celebrate the Sweeps Festival today:
Emily
Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights.
"There's always room for one more."
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