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Children were often employed for the task of chimney sweeping owing to the advantages of being so small and being able to fit in the chimneys

Once again we're celebrating the Sweeps Festival in Rochester, another year for the annual event full of fun and laughter for all ages.

Sweeps is on! 4th may, 5th May and 6th May!

Get down into the crowds of Rochester High street and Rochester Castle Grounds to see what you might find at this years sweeps festival!

You will get to experience:

The Morris dancers chanting and cheering through the streets on their regular parades
Many a food and drink stand, such as hog roasts, real ale and wine bars, coffee wagons, ice cream vans, and all the rest!
Activities for children and the family alike - we'd recommend heading in the direction of the Castle grounds, the moat, and the guildhall museum!

Parking will be tight! And there seems to be no park and ride service available this year. If you're planning on driving, you should expect to be parking fairly far out (Strood, Jackson's field distances) and will have to go in on foot. The organisers have recommended travelling by bus and train for the Sweeps Festival this year.

For further information, please see: Visit Medway, the full event programme

And always remember whilst you're out there having fun and potentially spending time with the children;
The sweeps festival honours and celebrates the children workers who were used as chimney sweeps way back when the pay was poor and the working conditions were worse!

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It's Sweeps festival in Rochester! (2024)