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A look back at Kent's Big Weekend, Dickens and Sweeps Festivals, Radio 1 Big Weekend and more

By: Sophie Bird

Published: 06:00, 21 March 2020

Thousands of you enjoyed festivals and events in Kent over the last couple of years, but this year, many have been postponed or cancelled altogether.

So we thought we would take a look back at some of the picture highlights from several events which have been held in the county.

World Custard Pie Championships 2018 Picture: Sean Aidan.

The feeling of nostalgia is very strong for many during this global coronavirus crisis, so we've decided to take another dip into the archives.

We have found dozens from festivals and events from around the county which will not be staged this year because of the outbreak.

The Dickens and Sweeps Festivals, Rochester

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Both have been axed this year because of the outbreak, but are usually attended by thousands of people from across the world.

The Dickens Festival is normally held in June and last year more than 20,000 arrived in the town and basked in glorious sunshine to enjoy the many parades, sideshows and attractions.

The Sweeps Festival is staged in May and usually and sees morris dancers, people dressed as chimney sweeps and folk performers flocked to the town.

Rochester will not have a parade this year, for the Dickens Festival. Picture: Tony Jones
There will be no Dickens Festival this year
Bellrings demonstrating bellringing for the Dickens Festival 2019 in Rochester
Thousands of people normally enjoy the parade through Rochester
Parade through Rochester the Dickens Festival 2019. Picture: Tony Jones
The parade through Rochester last year
The BAE Systems Brass Band performing at the Dickens Festival in 2019
Youngsters from 2nd Sheppey Scout group, dressed as chimney sweeps at The Sweeps Festival
Fairground activity at Rochester Castle for The Sweeps Festival. Picture: John Westhrop
Even Morris dancers take selfies
Morris dancers at The Sweeps Festival in Rochester. Picture: John Westhrop
Screeming Banshees Gothic Morris Dancers from Dartford at The Sweeps Festival
Morris dancers at the The Sweeps Festival in Rochester
Loose Women Morris Dancers with a toddler in toe, show off their bloomers in at the Sweeps Festival
The long procession through Rochester High Street at The Sweeps Festival last year

Radio 1's Big Weekend, Maidstone 2008

In 2008 Radio 1's Big Weekend came to Kent and in Mote Park in Maidstone there were two days of incredible music in the park.

Thousands of music lovers enjoyed the weekend which included memorable performances by Madonna, The Feeling, Usher and Nelly - and was rounded off in style by The Kooks and The Raconteurs.

This year the event was being held in Dundee in May, but it too has become one of the casualties of the coronavirus outbreak and is no longer being staged.

Were you at the Radio 1's Big Weekend in May 2008?
The crowds at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2008 in Mote Park in Maidstone
Thousands enjoyed the event at Moat Park in Maidstone
The crowds at the event in Moat Park
Thousands of lucky music fans enjoyed the line up
The Kooks, were one of the headline acts at event
Madonna at Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2008

Kent's Big Weekend, Kent

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The event was this year due to be staged over the weekend of Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5, this year, but organisers say due to the unprecedented events we are experiencing at the moment, the event is now on hold.

Bosses say they hope to go ahead at some point later in the year and confirmed tickets secured for this year's event will be valid for another date.

The annual event sees thousands of free tickets given to people in the county so they can explore popular attractions.

People can get tickets to have a look around Crampton tower museum, in Broadstairs during the Kent Big Weekend
Kent and East Sussex Railway is usually in the Kent Big Weekend ballot
Leeds Castle is usually one venue which is in the ballot for the Kent Big Weekend. Picture: Visit Kent
Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway takes part in Kent Big Weekend
Dover Castle is always a favourite destination during the Kent Big Weekend event
Howletts is usually in the ballot for free tickets during the Kent Big Weekend
Families can see tigers at Howletts Animal Park during the weekend
Chatham's Historic Dockyard was one of the attractions which usually takes part in the Kent Big Weekend
Master potter Alan Parris shows visitors how to make pots during the Big Kent Weekend at the Aylesford Pottery
John Lawson's Circus at the Hop Farm Park is part of Kent Big Weekend
Youngsters enjoying the Lazer Rush at Quex Park is part of Kent Big Weekend

Armed Forces Day, Kent

Armed Forces Day was going to be held on Saturday, June 27, at various locations across the county and a major event is usually staged at The Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham.

The first ever event was held at Chatham's Historic Dockyard in 2009 and saw thousands of people gather at the site to enjoy the occasion.

The 30,000 lucky enough to get free tickets to the event had a great time, and the then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said it as a "wonderful day for a great community."

Armed Forces Day commemorates the service of men and women in the British Armed Forces.

The very first Armed Forces Day was held at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham
And there is always time to enjoy a beer at these events, here is Billy Eastman and John Bell in haz-mat suit at Armed Forces Day at the Royal British Legion in Greenhithe
A re-enactment group at the Royal British Legion in Greenhithe on Armed Forces Day
Greenhithe Highlanders Piping Club performing at Official Armed Forces Day at the Royal British Legion in Greenhithe
The Living History Group on Armed Forces Day in Pencester Gardens, Dover. Picture: Tony Flashman
Kent Army Cadet Force during Ashford Armed Forces Day at Victoria Park Picture: Andy Jones
The Armed Forces Day event in Medway is now held at Great Lines Heritage Park
30,000 people went along to the event in 2009
Cadets on Armed Forces Day, Gillingham Picture: Sean Aidan

Custard Pie Championships, Maidstone

The World Custard Pie Championships, usually held in Coxheath in Maidstone and due to be held on May 30 this year, has been cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

During the event, teams of four are challenged to throw a table of pies at their opponents in wacky costumes to win the World Custard Pie Trophy.

Last year, a team called The Minions won the pie slinging contest which has been raising money for the Coxheath village hall and local charities for 50 years.

Custard Pie Championships in 1983
Custard pie championships during the 1970s
Custard pie championships during the 1970s
World Custard Pie Championships 2018 Picture: Sean Aidan.
The Flying Tarts at the World Custard Pie Championships 2018 Picture: Sean Aidan
World Custard Pie Championships 2018 Picture: Sean Aidan
The Piebots at the World Custard Pie Championships 2018 Picture: Sean Aidan
Custard Kiss at the World Custard Pie Championships 2018 Picture: Sean Aidan
Bee careful! World Custard Pie Championships 2019 Picture: Steve Crispe
World Custard Pie Championships 2019 Picture: Steve Crispe
Prison pie puns for World Custard Pie Championships 2019 Picture: Steve Crispe
Ginger Spice at World Custard Pie Championships 2019 Picture: Steve Crispe
The Fairy Cakes at the World Custard Pie Championships 2015 Picture: Matthew Walker
The Playboys at the World Custard Pie Championships 2017 Picture: Andy Jones

Did you have a good time at any of these events? Let us know in the comments.

To find out what’s going on in the county and for all the latest entertainment news click here.

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