City set to celebrate Gloucester Day

Taking place on Saturday 3 September, the event is intended to boost pride in the city and encourage interest in its colourful past.

The celebration will begin at 9.45am at Gloucester Cross where local organisations, community groups and charities will be setting up stalls.

At 11am the Mock Mayor of Barton’s Parade will commence starting from Constitution Walk. This intentionally comical parade will be filled with larger than life Gloucester characters, traditional entertainers, music and fun.

The bells of Gloucester Cathedral will ring at midday and will be joined by other Gloucester’s around the world. Three in the USA and others in Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea, Canada and Australia.

Another VIP attending Gloucester Day is Carol Steele, who is County Administrator for Gloucester County, Virginia, further strengthening the city’s links to the USA.

From midday until 12:30pm there will be a Thanksgiving Day service at St Mary De Crypt which all are invited to attend followed at 2pm by the Gloucester Day Parade that will make its way through the four main gated streets led by the Mayor of Gloucester, Cllr Howard Hyman and the Sheriff of Gloucester, Cllr Joanne Brown.

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will take the salute as veterans of the armed forces along with cadets, representatives of the emergency services and charitable organisations, march proudly past.

Gloucester Day is organised by Alan Myatt, Town Crier and supported by Gloucester City Council.

The event is intended to remember the original Gloucester Day celebration, which marked the lifting of the siege of Gloucester in 1643 and was celebrated annually for centuries, hence Gloucester becoming known as “The City saved by God”.

Alan said; “The people of Gloucester always give massive support to this event which has grown over the years to become one of the most popular events on the calendar and we try to make if bigger every time. Having their Royal Highnesses here will make it all the more special.”

Cllr Richard Cook, Leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this wonderful event that honours everything that is great about Gloucester. I would encourage as many people as possible to come out a support Gloucester Day and to celebrate our beautiful and historic city.”

Gloucester MP Richard Graham said: “Gloucester Day celebrates the city’s survival and success in our most difficult hour - a great reminder of the value of resilience. It’s also fun and it is great that our own royal Duke & Duchess and special guests from abroad join us for what is also the start of our Gloucester History Festival. See you all there!”

Any local organisations, community groups or charities who would like to organise a stall should contact Alan Myatt at alanmyatt@blueyonder.co.uk.

For more information visit www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/gloucester-day.