This one day event is held twice a year in the normally tranquil town of Stow-on-the-Wold in the Gloucestershire Cotswold’s, attracting gypsies and travellers from throughout the UK with a few travelling from Ireland. History has it that an abbot petitioned for the fairs in 1476, The charters were granted for May 12th and October 24th – the feast days of Saints Philip and James and Edward the Confessor and these dates are still used today. I chose October 24th 2009, not the nicest of days but the rain did manage to hold off until mid-afternoon. There’s lots more information here about the fair and Stow on the www.cotswolds.info web site.
The fair is held in one very large, hilly field. Around the one side is a “street” of stalls selling all kinds of clothing, fancy goods, horse paraphernalia, gypsy goods, Crown Derby china, baby prams etc – and lots of fast food trailers selling just about everything you can hold in your hand – and chips with everything. The centre of the field is where the mostly cob horses (small breeds sized between a pony and a horse) are displayed and sold. Compared to the Appleby Horse Fair it was a pretty tame event, but interesting nevertheless. I met some very interesting folk and learnt a bit more about Gypsy culture and traditions. It was a good day.
As for the photographs. Not the most photogenic of events but I am quite pleased with them. I hope you enjoy them.
