THE Winter Watch Parade returns to Chester next Thursday.
The noisy and colourful Winter Watch is part of Chester’s Classic Christmas celebrations.
The Winter Watch is loosely based on ‘Setting the Watch’ a tradition from the 1400s when the city leaders handed over the keys of Chester to the City Watch.
The parade starts from the Forum Shopping Centre at 7pm led by Chester’s Karamba Samba.
New characters joining the parade this year include Envy, Plenty, Triumph and Mercury plus a silver ship of fools (a tall ship perched on a raging sea).
Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member for culture and recreation, said: “Our Christmas market also starts on Thursday, November 24, in Town Hall Square accompanied by a 70ft-high helter-skelter, toboggan ride and Santa’s sleigh.”
The Christmas market will be open daily until December 24 featuring local independent traders and including Fairtrade gifts, ceramics, jewellery, hats, gloves and scarves.
Details of the events are available at www.visitchester.com/christmas and also in a Christmas magazine being distributed throughout Cheshire West.
