IT WAS all the fun of the fair in Alcester on October 1 when hundreds of eager thrill seekers descended on the town for the annual mop.
Rain did not deter attendees from gathering to listen to what was outgoing high bailiff Martin Burden’s last official engagement of his term.
He read out an ancient royal proclamation, declaring the mop open and ready for business.
The outgoing high bailiff Martin Burden reads the ancient proclamation formally declaring the mop open. Picture by Marcus Mingins 4024012MMR2
Youngsters then rushed to join court leet officers for their traditional tour around the various rides, including the waltzers and helter skelter.
As tradition dictates, officers conducted their traditional assizes of fish and flesh (meat) tasting, bread weighing, ale tasting and gave away nine gallons of real ale to the adult visitors.
Mr Burden said the mop had gone very well this year despite the wet weather and there had been a good turnout.
The original fair charter was granted to the court leet in 1544 by Edward VI.
The event has its origins in the hiring of agricultural and domestic labour, when workers would attend with a mop to signal their skills.
The post All the fun of the fair at Alcester mop appeared first on The Redditch Standard.