Rochester's Sweeps Festival is underway with visitors pouring into the town to enjoy the mix of Morris dancing and folk music.

It’s 35 years since historian Gordon Newton decided to revive a tradition in which chimney sweeps paraded through Rochester to celebrate their annual holiday. It was the one time of year when the sweeps, including young chimney boys, could down their brooms and have some fun to mark the start of summer.

In 1868 an Act was passed making it illegal for young boys to be employed in the dirty, ill-paid trade and the tradition of the May 1 procession began to fade but after delving into the history books, however, Mr Newton decided the celebration was an important part of English folklore that should not be forgotten.

He hired a Morris dancing side with blackened faces and wearing coloured rags, matched pictures he had found and invited children in the area to dress up as chimney sweeps.
About 100 people took part and businessman Mr Newton financed the event himself.
Gradually over the years the festival grew from one day to three and became too expensive and time-consuming for Mr Newton to manage on his own.

It was then the council came on board. Mr Newton, 67, is still producer and dance director, while the council provides stewards and funding.

He said: "It is strictly a piece of English tradition. We do have Irish dancers, but they are local to Medway. Other places have tried to copy what we do, but we are by far the most popular with visitors. We have people who come for Africa and America as well as all over Europe.”

Performances this year are focused on four outdoor stages, including one outside The Crown pub and another ouside the old post office at each end of the High Street. Children’s circus workshops will be held throughout the day near the war memorial and there will be a farmers’ market at the King’s Head car park. A food and drink fair, real-ale tent and music on the main stage are planned for the Castle Gardens.

Proceedings got under way with the official opening this morning and there will be a grand sweeps procession finale at 2.45pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

Car parking is available at the former Civic Centre, Strood, and there is limited space in Rochester town centre. Normal parking restrictions apply. Trains are not running through Rochester this weekend due to rail works but there is a replacement bus service or festivalgoers can go to Strood station and walk over the bridge.

The festival also caused a little inconvenience to Ukip whose election office base is in the High Street, in the thick of the festival. Candidate Mark Reckless tweeted today that they had switched base to The George pub in City Way.