History of Widecombe Fair Please consider making a donation to support our work preserving the history of Widecombe. Reg has already taken part in a route rehearsal with local personality Jimmy Frost and his team of walkers. Widecombe Fair takes place annually on the second Tuesday in September, attracting thousands of visitors to the tiny Dartmoor village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor.It is well known as the subject of the folk song of the same name, featuring Uncle Tom Cobley and his friends.. History. It all started more than 150 years ago, with a cattle show, a sheep sale and an old folk song … Memories of a bygone era. Other fields become car parks, and a complex policing and marshalling system is put in place, with the narrow lanes transformed into a one-way road system. The ghostly 'Grey Mare' of the song may in fact refer to a lost folk custom similar to the Mari Lwyd or Hobby Horse of Welsh and Cornish tradition. In 1989, it was decided to cancel the pony classes following an outbreak of Equine flu (these were replaced with terrier races, which have continued ever since). And off they drove to Widecombe fair, With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all. The following Saturday the same paper reported that “A cattle fair was held at Widecombe-in-the-Moor for the first time on Tuesday last.” It was said to have been a busy affair with a large attendance of yeomen and gentlemen of the district where 736 sheep, 1,507 cattle, and … But Tom Pearce's old mare hath not trotted home, With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke, … Early products were brown clay pottery with simple cream slip patterns under an amber glaze moulded designs on brown or blue dyed moulded items with white slip on relief designs like the sporting tankards and Widecombe Fair souvenirs as due to wartime restriction still in place colour decorated pottery was only for export. History In 1928, for the first time, an Uncle Tom Cobley impersonator made an appearance at Widecombe Fair: Edward Dunn played the role for a number of years and became a local celebrity. All parts played/sung by me. "Widecombe Fair" is possibly Devon's best-known song. World War I saw cancellation between 1915 & 1918. The song was published by Sabine Baring-Gould in the book Songs and Ballads of the West (1889–91) (referring to the West Country in England), though it also exists in variant forms. One of the many performers who've interpreted the song is Tony Beard, the Wag from Widecombe. The film's plot was adapted from a 1913 novel by Eden Philpotts, loosely based on the popular folk song "Widecombe Fair". The Widecombe History Group have researched the lives of those men from the Parish of Widecombe who fought in the First World War as our part of the county-wide project “Devon Remembers”. It all started more than 150 years ago, with a cattle show, a sheep sale and an old folk song - telling the story of Uncle Tom Cobbley and all. A historian has made a controversial claim about the history of one of Devon's best-known songs. Subject: Origins: Widecombe Fair From: BB Date: 11 Sep 07 - 02:56 PM Having seen mention of the song Widecombe Fair in another thread, prompts me to ask this: Widecombe Fair has been in full swing today, and so was mentioned on our local news, when I found out, to my surprise, that it has only been in existence since 1850. However, Dr Gray suggests that a vast array of towns and villages, mostly in the South West, had their own version of Widecombe Fair… Widecombe-in-the-Moor A Meeting of The Widecombe and District Local History Group was held at The Church House, Widecombe on Wednesday 6th April 2005 at 7.30 p.m. Discover Widecombe Fair Horse in Widecombe in the Moor, England: This painted wooden sculpture depicts the characters of a popular Devon folk song. The beautiful village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor lies between green fields and high, moorland hills in a sheltered valley on the East side of Dartmoor. visit . The earliest written record was in 1850, when it was described in the Plymouth Gazette as ‘a cattle fair’. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Widecombe_Fair&oldid=999536988, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 10 January 2021, at 18:09. The earliest written record was in 1850, when it was described in the Plymouth Gazette as ‘a cattle fair’. … Widecombe Fair is an annual fair in England, held in the Dartmoor village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor on the second Tuesday in September. The annual Widecombe Fair event was back today in the picturesque Dartmoor village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Widecombe Fair tuesday 8th September.2020 widecombe.dartmoor.9am ‘til late. Widecombe Fair takes place on the second Tuesday of September each year and attracts visitors from far and wide. While reading Guido the other day, I was inspired to create an arrangement of this Devonshire folk tune. Widecombe Fair is famous not just in Devon, but across the world. In her book, Price says Uncle Tom Cobbleigh was a real person, an 18th Century Englishman who lived near Widecombe-on-the-Moor where the September Fair was a big event. Incidentally, this was the first village sign to be erected in the whole of Devonshire, a fact that has not gone unnoticed as a plaque on the pillar testified. As part of the ceremony two villagers, Mr. C. Churchward and Mr.F. Plymouth is a city with a proud naval history, famed as the port where the Pilgrims set off to America on the Mayflower in 1620. 4. However, despite these interruptions, the event has steadily grown in size and reputation. You are in: Devon > History > Local history > Widecombe Fair: a history. Locals and tourists alike turned up … "I mentioned it on BBC Radio Devon and I've already had a good response from listeners," said Tony. You can click on the picture for a larger view. ... Read about music throughout history Read. All the money raised is given to local charities, and local children play a full part in the event. Sabine Baring-Gould from peasant singing and published by him in the collection he called "Songs of the West" in 1890. Widecombe Fair (1929) Drama | 3 November 1929 (USA) A rich widow helps a poor squire by pretending his ancestor his a treasure. Widecombe Fair ...with old Uncle Tom Cobley and All! The screenplay concerns a farmer who is able to save his farm when he digs up buried treasure. For this is the day of the Widecombe Fair, immortalised by the enduring Devon folk song, featuring ‘Uncle Tom Cobley and all’. make offer - rare vintage dartmouth widecombe fair blue/white bas relief pint tankard 1950's. Widecombe Fair was suspended during the Second World War, but reinstated in 1945 with new attractions, including a gymkhana and tug of war. Widecombe Fair 2016 Get the pick of the week's stories and fascinating Devon history features direct to your inbox every Saturday morning in our exclusive Weekend Report newsletter Sign me up! Reply. All along, down along, out along lea. The earliest written record was in 1850, when it was described in the Plymouth Gazette as a cattle fair. trade. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Widecombe Fair is an annual fair in England, held in the Dartmoor village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor on the second Tuesday in September. The final lineup hasn’t been finalised yet, but it promises to be another fantastic variety of traditional attractions and those that are a bit ‘different’ (of course, some are a mixture of the two!). Widecombe Fair was an opportunity for farmers to sell stock when it was begun several hundred years ago, but now it is more of a fun gathering. Delve deeper though and the history of the song becomes a little more muddled. Memories of a bygone era. By 1890 when the Reverend Baring Gould published the lyrics in his 'Songs of the West' it had become known in its present form. However, Dr Gray suggests that a vast array of towns and villages, mostly in the South West, had their own version of Widecombe Fair, with locally-relevant lyrics and characters. Locals and tourists alike turned up … Site activity. My thoughts have been directed to change, counting time and mapping data, the aura of place and sacred sites, and the lure of the apocalypse. Learn how and when to remove this template message. On the second Tuesday of September each year we hold the Annual Widecombe Fair. All our old favourites, plus some new ones for 2020! When asked if there was anything he would change about Devon, Reg Hannaford responded: “Why would I change anything about what is a near perfect place to live?”. May 22, 2019 at 8:26 pm. people come from all over the world to this special day when animals are shown, sporting events take place, the history of the area is on display. As with all true English folk songs, the words - and the tune - appear from time to time with slight variations. possible outcomes. Today, however, it occupies a large field to the south of Widecombe (known to locals as The Fair Field). "I've also been sent some old programmes from the 1930s and 40s, and even one from the 1920s.". As a former Widecombe Fair Cross Country Champion in 1982 he should be sure to be an early finisher although he may have to leave Ali behind as in the race he won she finished second to last! Apologies were received from:- Fred Daw, Phyllis Pascoe, Jenny Pascoe, John Kimber, Bessie French, Pat and Val Watson, Chris Mayhead, Margaret Phipps and Nora Lamb. See more pictures in Picture of the Month. For this is the day of the Widecombe Fair, immortalised by the enduring Devon folk song, featuring ‘Uncle Tom Cobley and all’. The lyrics of Devon's best known folk song tell a simple enough story - seven men and a grey mare set off for Widecombe Fair, but before completing their journey the old horse collapses from exhaustion because of carrying too many men along the way. This book is also available from some local shops. You can do this securely through PayPal by clicking on this button: Widecombe Fair has grown from its humble beginnings as a simple market into a local institution which attracts visitors from across the globe. Parking and Traffic information for 2020 will be available shortly. As Utopia is no place so Uchronia is no time. website. The title is spelt "Widdecombe Fair" in the original publication, though "Widecombe" is now the standard spelling of the town Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Its words were first published in 1880, and the characters from the song are featured in many of the souvenirs on sale in the local shops. "I've been sent a copy of the Daily Express from 1935 which includes a write-up of that year's fair. It began as a place for farmers to buy stock, and after a particularly successful market in 1850 some of the local gentry held a dinner to celebrate. Not sure about the german origin of the grey mare – … April 30, 2020 at 8:35 am. He finds it so fascinating that he's getting together with the local history group to compile a history of the Widecombe Fair. mit Feuereifer. Sent in by Alan Rawson. The words and tune varied according to the part of the country it was found. Tony is one of Devon's most colourful characters, and has been involved in the fair all his life. The annual Widecombe Fair event was back today in the picturesque Dartmoor village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. For details (including sheet music, and a … The lyrics which refer to Widecombe Fair became well-known after being published in 1889, and then played across England at a concert lecture tour. All profits were donated to the 'Local Welcome Home Fund' for returning soldiers, sailors and airmen. compete. And off they drove to Widecombe fair, With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all. See more pictures in Picture of the Month. The fair gave us the well-known folk song, 'Widecombe Fair', which tells the story of Uncle Tom Cobbley and All, and the sad fate of the old grey mare they borrowed from Tom Pearce. Side of Dartmoor, in 1794 said Tony was held in the Fair all his life record. Is an annual Fair in excellent condition market into a local institution which attracts visitors far. Bbc Radio Devon and I 've been sent some old programmes from the 1930s and,! 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