Giant byte of tradition
In a modern take on an ancient ritual, Chester has given birth to the first ‘Terabyte’ giant. Emilia Bartlett, 13, from Flint won a competition held by BiG Storage and Dee 106.3 to draw her interpretation of a terabyte, a digital unit that represents a gigantic amount of data.
This drawing has now been created into a 14’ Dancing Giant and will take to the streets of Chester as part of the ChestertheGiantCity’s BiG Giant Parade that will take place on Saturday & Sunday 20th & 21st June.
‘Standing on the shoulders’ of expert giant maker Lillian Chapman, Emilia’s effigy was constructed at the fitting location of BiG Storage, at Printworks, Sealand Road, Chester. The company is working on a number of projects with ChestertheGiantCity, including the creation of a community museum. The company provides self storage, business units and domestic storage space for rent in Chester and in several other locations across the North West.
A terabyte is the equivalent to one million books worth of information, more than enough to include the first recorded instance of Chester’s Giants from the 14th Century. It is also spacious enough at BiG Storage, Chester to store a whole host of newly constructed community giants waiting for parade day.
Emilia was presented her award by Mike James, Programme Controller for Chester’s Dee 106.3 and Brendan Oldfield, BiG Storage. A laptop computer was donated by Tesco Sealand Road and Emilia also received Chester Zoo tickets and Oulton Park family passes.
The runners-up were: Joe Jones, 8, Chester, Martyn Bolan, 15, Vicars Cross, David Stephenson, Chester and Ethan Lewis, Chester.
Kristine Szulik from ChestertheGiantCity said;
“All of the ‘Terabyte’ giant designs were spectacular. It’s great to see children getting involved with this important part of our heritage. Well done to Emilia and a big thank you all those who kindly donated prizes and to BiG Storage and Dee Radio for supporting our Giant Parade.”
More information from Kristine Szulik on 01244 318703 or kristine.szulik@btinternet.com
Big Storage – www.bigstorage.info
ENDS – 334 words
For more information and photos please visit:
http://www.marketingprojects.co.uk/news/chester-the-giant-city
Chester is unique in that it has a Family of Giants and a tradition of giant-making that can be traced back through Guild records to the 14th Century.
Chester’s modern Family of Giants started life when Dave Roberts came across ‘Nathandriel’, A Giant that was on a visit from Huddersfield to Chester. Nathandriel’s maker (and author of Medieval Dancing Giants Lee Gilbert, had brought Nathandriel on a pilgrimage to Chester. In Medieval times Chester had been the Mecca for giant-building and possessed the only known Family of Giants in the country. Giants were walking the streets of Chester in the late 1400s until the puritanical reign of Oliver Cromwell in the mid 1660s.
Dave Roberts was so inspired by the notion that Giants had been such an important activity in Chester he decided to reintroduce the building of Giants into Chester as a creative way in which to encourage young people in Lache and Blacon to gain an insight into their culture and heritage.
In Midsummer 1989 a male giant (still used in the Midsummer Watch today), and the Father of Chester’s current Family of Giants, became the first giant to walk through the streets of Chester for over 300 years.
In Midsummer 2009 Chester will celebrate not only the 20th Anniversary of Chester’s modern Family of Giants but also the beginning of “Chester the Giant City” thus creating a link between Chester’s past, present and future.
Chester – The Giant City Community Interest Company has been created to unite the Private, Public and Third Sector around the physical and metaphorical concept of giants. The company will draw upon the culture and heritage of the city and surrounds to create vibrant and innovative social, environmental and economic opportunities for communities.
Individuals, groups, charities, businesses, and whole communities will benefit as they will be offered the opportunity to interpret the concept of Chester – The Giant City. This will create job opportunities, build businesses (social enterprises) and develop the tourist industry. In the long-term the whole creative model will add value to the regeneration process of Chester & District.
The company will support the development and growth of future community-based activities based upon the concept of Chester – The Giant City.
Board of Directors:
David Pickering (Chair) Lord Mayor Brian Bailey Lady Mayoress Raewyn Bailey
Peter Bulmer Jason Butler Stefan Nicholls
Dave Roberts Robbie Stocker Kristine Szulik
Stephen Wundke James Harries (Company Secretary)
Contact: Kristine Szulik t: 01244 318703
m: 07789 425 468 e: kristine.szulik@btinternet.com
Press Contacts: Jane Harrad-Roberts Mob: 07785 395705
James Brady Mob: 07872 051309
MARKETING PROJECTS Tel: 01244 330000
Email: info@marketingprojects.co.uk
Return to Chester The Giant City listings
> Return to Client Press Office
