Gloucester History Festival
Gloucester History Festival 2023
After the cancellation of the 2022 events, 2023 offers several opportunities to engage with our history. Here are some dates for your diaries.
King’s Talks: Starting February 2023.
Exploring ancient Gloucester School Days.
Find out more about the King’s Talks and how to book here
Spring Weekend: Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd April 2023
Programme coming soon
Main Festival: Saturday 2nd – Sunday 17th September 2023
The History Festival programme can be found HERE
Gloucester Day
Gloucester Day celebrates the end of the Civil War siege of the city in 1643. when King Charles II returned to the throne after the Civil War in 1660, he punished Gloucester for supporting Cromwell by reducing the city boundaries. This meant the area of Barton was outside the city and not under the control of the Gloucester Mayor. Barton elected a “mock mayor” to poke fun at Gloucester.
This tradition had been revived in recent years with a parade led by the real Mayor and Sheriff of Gloucester plus the Mock Mayor, Town Crier, historical characters, marching bands and performers in the morning with a Mock Mayor Making Ceremony. The parade was followed by a Thanksgiving Service and the the Gloucester Day Parade in the afternoon.
Click the link to see a clip of the parade in 2018 courtesy of David Champion. Click Here