Even though it rained hard for much of the day, and a chill wind blew, over 2,000 people went along to Connaught Park for the spectacular Dover Castle Pageant, on Bank Holiday Monday.
What cheered the visitors was the sheer enthusiasm of those who donned costumes, and the scores of stallholders many of them working for charity - who simply ignored the gloomy weather.
Those who took part in the costume parade early in the day missed the really bad weather.
The parade was headed by postboy, 11-year-old Mark Brennan, on pony Gem, led by Mark's father John, of Clarendon Road, Dover. And ahead of the costume parade was the Pipe and Drum Band of the Royal Irish Rangers, who got a great hand, as did the Duke of York's RM School Band later on.
Soon after the pageant gates had opened the Royal Mail Coach arrived to celebrate the first mail coach service in 1786.
In the chariot races, there were two teams representing Sealink ships, the Drake Fellowship,
Dover Rugby Club, Dover YMCA, and Castle Venture Scouts.
But the 70 young past and present pupils of St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Dover, took the brunt of the cold as they played out their Domesday Book story before a delighted audience - and in front of a BBC TV film crew. The children told of William the Conqueror's invasion and how he set about logging all in his kingdom. They used a combination of song, dance, pictures and mime and commentary, under the direction of teacher Mrs Vicky Brown. It was all recorded by the BBC's education section for use in a programme this September about how schools up and down the country have marked the 900th anniversary of the Domesday Book.
Best dressed lady was Miss Joy Thwaytes, as a 17th century fishwife. Miss. Thwaytes comes from London and has relatives in Dover.
Best group was the Cavaliers - Wendy and Peter Irving, of Castle mount Road, Dover, along with their children and friends.
Henry VIII in the Pageant Parade
