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Widecombe Fair …with old Uncle Tom Cobley and All!Next Year's Fair: September 9th, 2008.Please click here to download the 2006 schedule of events. Officials Origins Charities Supported Some Pictures Traffic Plan Take a look at the report and pictures of the 2000 Fair ROAD SIGNS WILL BE ON ALL THE APPROACHES TO THE MOOR AND VILLAGE WITH A ONE WAY TRAFFIC SYSTEM PROVIDING ACCESS TO CAR, COACH and LORRY PARKS. Widecombe Fair takes place annually on the second Tuesday in September. First held in the 1850’s, it now attracts many thousands of visitors and interest from all over the world. The famous folk song recalls the story of Uncle Tom Cobley and his friends riding to Widecombe Fair on a grey mare. Needless to say, he and his faithful nag will be there again this year! THE MAIN EVENTS OF THE DAY ARE HELD ON THE FAIRFIELD DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE SCHOOL (the children get the day off!), with adjacent FREE PARKING for cars, but there are also many other things to see and do on The Green, in The Square and throughout the village. This is real Devon country fare. Something for everyone- especially children. Livestock, Sheep and Equine classes, Terrier Racing, Family Dog Show, Vintage Vehicles and Machinery, Gymkhana, Maypole Dancing, Rural Crafts, Fancy Dress, Uncle Tom Cobley Downhill Race, Bale Tossing, Tug of War and much, much more. A wide variety of Trade Stands will be on the Fairfield plus our popular Produce Show and Children’s Exhibition. Our on field caterer will be there to provide food and licensed refreshment and in the evening there’s Music and Dancing ! THE FAIR IS ORGANISED AND RUN BY THE MANY LOCAL PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR MONTHS TO PREPARE AND PROVIDE AN ENJOYABLE AND MEMORABLE OCCASION. Entry to the Fairfield in 2007 was £6 per person (free for children aged under 16). Local and national good causes always benefit including a charity specially invited to attend The Fair and this year we will be welcoming the local branch of the Parkinson’s Disease Society. There is also plenty of activity in the village. There's 'All the Fun of the Fair' on the village green, teas in the Church House, travelling players to entertain you in the square, food, drink and ice creams in the pubs, the Post Office and the Cafes. Officials - 2005The registered office of Widecombe Fair Committee Company Limited (Reg. No. 2721002) is TorcroftWidecombe-in-the-MoorNewton AbbotTQ13 7TE
President Arch Mortimore
Joint
Vice-Presidents Peter Hicks and Tim Whitten
Chairman Mike Smerdon
Vice-Chairman Steve Morley
Treasurer Tim Whitten
Company
Secretary Ronnie Constant
Agricultural Secretary Sally Hicks-Beach
Commercial Administrator Barbara Low
The following are about to be invited to perform the following
roles :-
Uncle Tom Cobley
Tony Deeble
Produce
Secretary
Val Tame
Commentator &
Asst.
Agricultural
Secretary Tony Beard
Chief
Steward Gerald
Smerdon
Cups
Stewards Sue
Irish and Rodney Cruze
Field Layout Co-ordinator Mike Smerdon
Programme
Steward Kim
Paley
Stalls
Steward
Mike Smerdon
Farrier
Mark Partridge
OriginsIn the Woolman’s Exeter and Plymouth Gazette dated Saturday, October 19th, 1850, it was announced that on the following Friday a Free Fair would be held on the Green adjoining the Church Yard at Widecombe-in-the-Moor. There would be a large show of cattle and quantity of Moorland sheep offered for sale. On Saturday, November 2nd, 1850, the Gazette reported that "A cattle fair was held at Widecombe-in-the-Moor for the first time on Tuesday last." It was also reported that there was a large attendance of yeomen and gentlemen of the district and good business was done. It was thought that the fair should be permanently established. 736 sheep were penned, 75 score and 7 fatted beasts plus 4 bulls. One South Devon cow, reared by the vicar, Rev J.H. Mason, was sold for £15.10s. About 50 ponies were driven in, the breed and character of the Widecombe stock being highly appreciated. It was intended to fix the future date not to clash with any other neighbouring fair. It was agreed that Widecombe was fortunate to have a Green that was an ideal site, also that it could have a Free Fair. The vicar, well known for his hospitality, held a large dinner party and celebrated the fair in "Fine Old English Style." Mr John Germon of Moreton presided and it is said that the guests left "brimful of enjoyment." From the Parish Register we find that the guests included:
The song used for the now famous Widecombe Fair can be traced long before 1850. The words and tune varied according to the part of the country, but always had the same theme of Tom Pearse and Tom Cobley. By 1890 when the Rev. Baring Gould published it in his "Songs of the West" it had become known in its present form. The original Thomas Cobley is thought to have died in Spreyton in 1794. His great nephew, a Thomas Cobley of Butsford in the Parish of Colebrook died in 1844 aged 82 years and is buried in Spreyton just outside the South door of the Church. Charities SupportedMONEY RAISED BY WIDECOMBE FAIR COMMITTEE IS GIVEN TO NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL CHARITIES. RECENT DONATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO:
THE COMMITTEE WELCOMES APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE WIDECOMBE PARISH WHO WISH TO OPERATE THEIR OWN STALLS OR OFFER RURAL ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE IN KEEPING WITH THE AGRICULTURAL THEME OF THE FAIR. PicturesHere are some pictures from a previous Widecombe Fair. You can click on them to see a larger image, but there will be a short download time. You can view many more pictures by clicking here.
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