Bath hasn’t seen so many people in Regency dress since – well, since Regency times.
Two thousand people were the official number of Jane Austen fans taking part in the annual Jane Austen Festival Promenade through the central streets of the city.
This year’s event doubled in number to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of this Regency novelist who lived in Bath for a time and wrote about the city and its social life in her novels.
I hadn’t realised that this year’s event almost wasn’t permitted to run because of concerns that the police and B&NES had about unticketed – and therefore unplanned for – people joining in the promenade.
But happen it did, and what a sight. This has got to be some sort of Guinness Book of World Records record-breaker!
I took some film at the gathering point in front of the Royal Crescent, but moved to the bottom of Gay Street for most of my filming.
This turned out to be a pinch-point as promenaders had to stick to the raised pavement in George Street to a crossing further down, which was manned by official security marshals who were stopping the traffic for crossings into Milsom Street at three-minute intervals.
Another pinch point was at the end of the promenade as people queued to get into Parade Gardens, but l heard no one complaining. Thankfully, the weather – apart from a pretty robust breeze – brought more sunshine than showers.
I hope our Jane Austen Festival goers from all over the world enjoy their time in our city. I saw queues at many of our eating establishments, and all these celebrations are certainly good for business!
I hope you’ll enjoy looking through this recording. A one-man band l maybe but an enjoyable morning spent in the streets of our fair city.
Wonderful! And rather more savoury than what’s been going on in the streets of London today!
Richard
As always, you’ve done a magnificent job recording such a spectacular occasion, very many thanks. However, it was still worthwhile being there and enjoying the amazing atmosphere.