Gloucester's day of celebration

MARCHING bands, veterans and knights in shining armour paraded through the city centre to celebrate Gloucester Day.

Civil dignitaries and the great and good of Gloucester were led on a procession around the Gate streets and beyond by town crier Alan Myatt to mark the city's place in history.

lots to see: The Gloucester Day and Barton Mock Mayor Parade makes its way through Gloucester on Saturday with a variety of colourful costumes on display.
jovial: Town crier Alan Myatt, with Citizen editor Ian Mean, Mayor of Gloucester David Brown and Deputy Mayor of Gloucester, Phil McLellan.
pig on parade: Michael Jennings.
support: St John Ambulance youngsters.
pride: New mock mayor of Barton Delroy Ellis.
musical entertainment: Pipers.
showtime: Calendar Girls.

It was Gloucester's rebellion which ensured disgraced monarch King Charles I never took the throne again, holding out against his royalist forces in 1643 until parliamentary reinforcements arrived. The king was then sent scurrying before finally being captured and executed.

Two marches took place to celebrate the annual event on Saturday. The first, which started outside Boots in Eastgate Street at 11am, was held in honour of the new Mock Mayor of Barton Delroy Ellis.

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The second, in Constitution Walk, included marching bands, veterans, cadets, scouts, Gloucester Lions members, city councillors, pipers, MP Richard Graham, church representatives and even knights in armour.

The sun shone as residents of the city celebrated all things Gloucester.

Mr Myatt, one of the key figures behind the event, said: "It was great to see how many people turned up and it was lovely to see all the faces, young and old.

"With all the banners and the fantastic turnout it was a day to remember."

After the first procession, mock mayor Delroy was formerly welcomed by Gloucester mayor David Brown who explained the history behind the pomp and ceremony.

He said after Charles II took revenge he knocked down the city walls, reducing its boundaries and leaving Barton of Gloucester.

Bartonians then created their own mayor to poke fun at Gloucester's official powers.

Mr Brown also celebrated the master of ceremonies role played faithfully by Mr Myatt over the last 25 years, before paying tribute to the people of Gloucester and their "steadfast and positive nature".

This year also saw The Citizen editor Ian Mean invited to speak, drawing a cheer from the crowd when he said: "Gloucester is on the up.

"For far too long people have knocked this city but I sense a feeling now there is a passion in Gloucester. Forget the politics and look at what is happening here."

More pictures in next week's Citizen People