Rochester Sweeps Festival 2014

Despite the weather forecast of white cloud, the sun shone almost unbroken throughout the May Day weekend.  Snapping conditions were poor as a result, with lots of harsh glare and deep shadow.

There seemed to be fewer morris sides than usual this time.  Normally you see some on the Sunday that weren't there the previous day, but that wasn't the case this time round.  Am guessing the tricky current climate has meant many no longer travel from a long way off, what with the costs involved.

Even so, was an excellent event, as ever.  Didn't get up to the castle stage as much as I'd have liked - and I know I missed a few good bands, such as Sur Les Docks, but you can't be everywhere at once, sadly.




Rochester Sweeps Festival 2014 - Saturday (266 pics)

Rochester Sweeps Festival 2014 - Sunday (334 pics)

Rochester Sweeps Festival 2013, Monday

After spending the Sunday in Hastings, I returned on bank holiday Monday to the Sweeps.  Despite the forecast of unbroken sunshine, it managed to be cloudy a fair bit of the day, but at least it was nice and warm.  The parade was bigger than the previous year.  The high street was absolutely packed to the point where you could barely move at times.



Rochester Sweeps Festival (122 pics)

Rochester Sweeps Festival 2013, Saturday

It's that time again when dozens of morris dancers and folkies descend on Rochester for the annual Sweeps Festival.  It was certainly a bit warmer than last year.



Rochester Sweeps Festival pt1 (130 pics)