Cirencester Fleece Fayre 2017
Cirencester Town Council in partnership with Abbey 900 will be hosting Cirencester’s first Fleece Fayre, celebrating the history of the wool trade in our beautiful town. As part of the Abbey 900 celebrations, the event will bring the community together on May Day, Monday 1st May, with traditional entertainment, a wool themed market, delicious local food & drink and family themed activities in the Market Place, parish church and entrance to the Abbey grounds.
St John the Baptist parish church, located on the Market Place, often referred to as the ‘Cathedral of the Cotswolds’, was largely rebuilt in 1515-1530. This was funded by the wealth attained by the local wool merchants. Sheep, wool sales, weaving and cloth-making were the main strengths of England's trade in the Middle Ages, and many of Cirencester merchants and clothiers gained wealth and prosperity from the national and international trade.
With the church rebuilt and the Market Place adjacent to it, you can imagine market days as a bustling and thriving place to be. With the new Market Place completed this year and the Abbey 900 celebrations, the Fleece Fayre aims to give a nod to this bygone era and with a focus on the present and future providing a celebration for the town. The event will include an eclectic wool and sheep themed market; local food and drink; morris dancing, community entertainment and lots more.
The event aims to involve community groups and The Churn Project, Cirencester Twinning Association and The Barnwood Trust will be demonstrating their creative flair with hand made garlands, interactive sheep themed games and much more.
The event will be officially opened at 10am by The Earl and Countess of Bathurst and the Mayor of Cirencester, Mark Harris who will also be judging a sheep themed colouring competition and a May King and Queen Crown Competition. Everyone is invited to take part, so you can get busy making your crowns and parade the Market Place. Judging will be announced at 3pm. The event has a medieval twist, so if you are game you can dress up and join the fun.
The Abbey Grounds will host Punch and Judy show, a juggling workshop and tractor rides.
Mark Harris, Mayor of Cirencester said: “We are delighted to be hosting another great community event in the new Market Place which celebrates the town’s history and is part of this year’s Abbey 900 celebrations. We will have some newly born spring lambs with their mother at the event and lots of interactive fun for everyone.”
The parish church will also be hosting a number of activities including the Abbey 900 Story Carpet where you can learn all about Cirencester’s history. The whole event will be compered and broadcast by Corinium Radio.
Corinne Lamus, Chair, Abbey 900 Steering Group said “ The Abbey 900 team are delighted that Cirencester Town Council are our Project Champions for the May Day Fleece Fayre styled on those from medieval times when the Abbey sold their newly shorn fleeces from their flocks of Cotswold Lion sheep at a market in the town. The exciting programme of events for the day will have a modern day twist and will include something for everyone.”
The Cirencester Fleece Fayre will run from 10am to 5pm in the Market Place. For more information please contact Suzie Lew, Market and Events Officer at Cirencester Town Council.
Posted: 26/04/2017 19:50:41
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