Early in the fourteenth century,
about 1307, Geoffrey de Say, Lord of the Manor obtained a licence to
have a market on Fridays and an annual fair on the eve of the feast
of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (7th and 8th of September). The
market dwindled but then was revived when Sir John Leventhorpe was
granted a Wednesday market and two fairs, one on St George's Day
(April 23rd) and the other on the feast of St. Dionysius October
(23rd). The market eventually ended in a Horse Market probably
ending in the mid 19th century.The Fairs certainly survived and
to the best of the webmaster's memory became a two day fair in April
(23rd and 24th) and a four day fair in October (20th? through to the
23rd?). Both dates were extended by a day if a Sunday fell between
the dates!
Before the Second World War and immediately afterwards, probably
into the early 1960's, these fairs were very popular and it was
always surprising how much 'entertainment' could be fitted into the
relatively small space of the Fair Green, including the approach
road from The Square. After the war
Thurston's Fair seemed to be the
predominant 'showman family' supplying the main attractions. There were
Dodgems, Steam Roundabout, Chair-planes and all of the other usual
side shows, Hoopla, Roll-a-penny, Candyfloss etc. The Road on the
opposite side to the King William IV would be all showman's caravans
together with Ducklings Lane which they completely took over. The
spectacle on the day of arrival of the fair was the 'line-up' that
took place in Knight Street (A great distraction to the children in
the front facing classrooms of the Fawbert & Barnard School). The Fair was not allowed onto the Fair
Green until Mid Day on the prior day of the first date and also were
to be completely cleared by Mid Day after the last date. These
restrictions always appeared to be adhered to.