Share memories of fair
EXHIBITION WILL MARK 800TH ANNIVERSARY
FAMILES are being asked to share their memories of Loughborough Market and Fair as part of plans to celebrate its 800th anniversary.
The event usually attracts tens of thousands to the town centre over four days in November.
Submitted memories, pictures, films and memorabilia will be used in an exhibition and as part of an archive to mark the milestone.
Councillor Richard Blunt, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for heritage, leisure and arts, said: “The ancient Loughborough Fair is a famous part of the town’s history and is still a highlight of the annual calendar.
“There are many generations of people in Loughborough and further afield who will have fond memories of Loughborough Fair over the years, as well as a treasure trove of pictures, films and memorabilia.
“It’s a lovely opportunity for people to contribute to this exhibition and share those memories.”
Organisers said no memory is too small or insignificant, as they hope to record as much of the sights, sounds and smells of the fair as they can.
The memories will also be used to create a film and will add to the East Midlands oral history archive and catalogue in the archives at the Record Office for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The first fair was held in Loughborough on July 31, 1221 to mark the feast day of St Peter, in the same year that a charter to hold a market in the town was granted to the lord of the manor.
The change from the Julian to Gregorian calendar in 1752 resulted in the date of the fair becoming November 13.
In 1881, officials obtained an order to stipulate that the opening day of the fair would always fall on the second Thursday in November.
The fair has been held every year, except during the two world wars and last year, due to the coronavirus restrictions.
Sections of the 1221 charter are still read each year from the Town Hall balcony at the official opening of the fair by the Mayor of Charnwood.
To share a memory of the fair, e-mail: