Tor Fair – fireworks planned for Saturday

By Laura Linham

12th Sep 2024 | Local News

The organisers are calling on the community to continue supporting this historic event, which remains close to the hearts of many.
The organisers are calling on the community to continue supporting this historic event, which remains close to the hearts of many.

Glastonbury's historic Tor Fair is back in town until Saturday, October 14, at Herbie's Field.

A fireworks display is planned for Saturday evening, weather permitting, adding to the excitement of this long-standing tradition.

This year marks the 896th Glastonbury Fair Day, a tradition dating back to 1127, when King Henry I granted a charter to continue the annual celebration. Tor Fair, the second oldest fair in the country, was originally held on Glastonbury Tor before being relocated to various sites over the years. The fair used to be such an integral part of life in the town that schools would close for the event, and locals heavily supported it.

In the 1960s, Tor Fair hosted a vast livestock market, with stock arriving by foot, road, and rail. Many see the closure of the town's railway station after the Beeching cuts in 1963 as the beginning of the fair's gradual decline. However, the fair continues to be a cherished part of Glastonbury's heritage.

The Heal family ran Tor Fair for many years until the Cole family of Somerset took over in 1945. Today, Sarah Chipperfield (formerly Cole) and her husband Henry Chipperfield are at the helm, determined to keep the fair alive. Sarah, whose family has long been involved in the event, is dedicated to ensuring that this 800-year-old tradition endures.

The organisers are calling on the community to continue supporting this historic event, which remains close to the hearts of many.

So, if you're looking for a fun evening out or want to enjoy some fireworks this weekend, head down to Herbie's Field and be part of Glastonbury's incredible tradition.

The fair is open from 5pm to 9pm on weekdays and from 1pm to 10pm on Saturdays.

     

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