Wet weather fails to spoil the fun of Petworth Fair

Petworth's historic fair took place on Saturday night and drew in the crowds despite weather warnings and the arrival of strong winds and driving rain.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Nov 2016, 13:21 BST
Updated 23rd Nov 2016, 14:02 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

SUS-161122-115651001SUS-161122-115651001
SUS-161122-115651001

Its origins have disappeared in the mists of time and it has taken place in Petworth on November 20 (the day before, when the date falls on a Sunday) longer than the history books record.

Organised by Petworth Society, its chairman Peter Jerrome said: “The weather dominated the fair this year, but it has survived against the odds for a thousand years, and this is the 31st since the revival, so it has proved itself to be very robust.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was heralded by town crier Nigel Flynn who proclaimed the opening of the ancient fair.

SUS-161122-120413001SUS-161122-120413001
SUS-161122-120413001

Activities began in The Leconfield Hall with a performance from pupils at Petworth Primary School.

“Nigel got us off in fine style,” said Mr Jerrome, “and the children gave their best ever concert so we had a really rousing start to the fair this year.”

Spectators gathered for the traditional Punch and Judy Show and there was also a display of Petworth produced for the event by Miles Costello.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Members of Petworth Town Band performed a concert in The Leconfield Hall while outside Harris Brothers had brought their fair ground stalls and rides including the famous gallopers which suffered at the hands of vandals a decade ago who tried to burn them down.

SUS-161122-120754001SUS-161122-120754001
SUS-161122-120754001

“We weren’t able to have our traditional act of defiance when Petworth Town Band play Sussex By The Sea on the gallopers,” said Mr Jerrome, “but Harris Brothers weren’t put off by the weather and people did seem to come out to enjoy the fair in good numbers.

“They seem to love coming to Petworth because it is such a prestigious fair.”

One of the oldest in the south of England, it dates from times when Petworth was an important cloth weaving centre in the middle ages.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

SUS-161122-121101001SUS-161122-121101001
SUS-161122-121101001

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MidhurstandPetworthObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @mid_pet_obs

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
SUS-161122-122754001SUS-161122-122754001
SUS-161122-122754001

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Midhurst and Petworth Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics:Spectators