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The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Hundreds of travellers flock to 800-year-old horse fair as street races close down town and rubbish piles up
FLOCKS of travellers have descended on a quiet town for an 800-year-old horse fair - causing roads, shops and pubs to shut. Pictures show the crowds swarming through the usually sleepy streets of Advertisement 10 Wickham Horse Fair in Hampshire where the travellers have gathered Credit: w8media 10 Already, piles of litter have started to form Credit: w8media 10 Crowds of people and horses alike swarmed the town Credit: w8media 10 Horses of all breeds and colours have been pictured outside of homes Credit: w8media 10 Travellers have taken over the quaint Hampshire town of Wickham for the fair Credit: w8media Horses of all breeds and colours have been pictured outside of homes and pubs ready for trading in Hampshire. Traveller families are believed to have started to gather for the Wickham Horse Fair since 1269 . Scenes at the yearly fair usually sees people flying down the street as they participate in street horse races. Advertisement Read More News Others parade ponies down the road in a bid to find a willing buyer. Roads are packed with stalls and street vendors selling everything and anything. It is customary for the event to take place on May 20 - except when it falls on a Sunday. What is the Wickham Horse Fair? Wickham Horse Fair has been held in The Square in Wickham, Fareham, for almost 800 years. As is tradition, this year's fair is being held on Monday, May 20. It is customary for the event to take place on May 20 - except when it falls on a Sunday. 2022 saw it's official return following Covid lockdown restrictions. However, an unauthorised gathering took place in 2021 – with people selling, racing and admiring ponies as well as enjoying a funfair. It was back in full force for 2023 with spectacular traditional horse racing on display. The horse fair has been taking place since 1269, which is almost 800 years ago - making it one of the oldest horse fairs in the country. The Wickham Horse Fair traces its origins back to when Roger De Syres obtained a royal charter from King Henry III to have a weekly market in 1269. Over the years this morphed into an annual fair. The Wickham Horse Fair traces its origins back to when Roger De Syres obtained a royal charter from King Henry III to have a weekly market in 1269. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Over the years this morphed into an annual fair. Some locals love the famous tradition, but others aren't so happy. Already, piles of rubbish have started to form from the fair. Over the last week, other villages have also played host to travellers looking to attend. Advertisement Last year, locals blasted the historic fair as "shameful" due to the litter left behind. The high street was left caked in manure, bins overflowed with rubbish and cans of booze littered the pavements. Pub benches were covered in trash, unwanted food and empty alcohol bottles. Discarded cardboard boxes could also be seen pilled up while plastic bags were scattered along the picturesque roads. Advertisement 10 Some of the bins are already overflowing from rubbish Credit: w8media 10 Piles of litter from the fair have been pictured scattered around Credit: w8media 10 Travellers run down the street with one of the horses Credit: w8media 10 Locals have had to close all the roads and shops whilst the horse fair is on Credit: w8media Advertisement 10 The town is closed down for the day along with all shops, pubs and hotels Credit: w8media
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Hundreds of travellers flock to 800-year-old horse fair as street races close down town and rubbish piles up
FLOCKS of travellers have descended on a quiet town for an 800-year-old horse fair - causing roads, shops and pubs to shut. Pictures show the crowds swarming through the usually sleepy streets of Wickham, which only has a population of 2,000. 10 Wickham Horse Fair in Hampshire where the travellers have gathered Credit: w8media 10 Already, piles of litter have started to form Credit: w8media 10 Crowds of people and horses alike swarmed the town Credit: w8media 10 Horses of all breeds and colours have been pictured outside of homes Credit: w8media 10 Travellers have taken over the quaint Hampshire town of Wickham for the fair Credit: w8media Horses of all breeds and colours have been pictured outside of homes and pubs ready for trading in Hampshire. Caravans and horse boxes are scattered around the town instead of cars, as all the roads were closed for the event. Traveller families are believed to have started to gather for the Wickham Horse Fair since 1269. Scenes at the yearly fair usually sees people flying down the street as they participate in street horse races. Others parade ponies down the road in a bid to find a willing buyer. Roads are packed with stalls and street vendors selling everything and anything. It is customary for the event to take place on May 20 - except when it falls on a Sunday. What is the Wickham Horse Fair? Wickham Horse Fair has been held in The Square in Wickham, Fareham, for almost 800 years. As is tradition, this year's fair is being held on Monday, May 20. It is customary for the event to take place on May 20 - except when it falls on a Sunday. 2022 saw it's official return following Covid lockdown restrictions. However, an unauthorised gathering took place in 2021 – with people selling, racing and admiring ponies as well as enjoying a funfair. It was back in full force for 2023 with spectacular traditional horse racing on display. The horse fair has been taking place since 1269, which is almost 800 years ago - making it one of the oldest horse fairs in the country. The Wickham Horse Fair traces its origins back to when Roger De Syres obtained a royal charter from King Henry III to have a weekly market in 1269. Over the years this morphed into an annual fair. The Wickham Horse Fair traces its origins back to when Roger De Syres obtained a royal charter from King Henry III to have a weekly market in 1269. Over the years this morphed into an annual fair. Some locals love the famous tradition, but others aren't so happy. Already, piles of rubbish have started to form from the fair. Over the last week, other villages have also played host to travellers looking to attend. Last year, locals blasted the historic fair as "shameful" due to the litter left behind. The high street was left caked in manure, bins overflowed with rubbish and cans of booze littered the pavements. Pub benches were covered in trash, unwanted food and empty alcohol bottles. Discarded cardboard boxes could also be seen pilled up while plastic bags were scattered along the picturesque roads. 10 Some of the bins are already overflowing from rubbish Credit: w8media 10 Piles of litter from the fair have been pictured scattered around Credit: w8media 10 Travellers run down the street with one of the horses Credit: w8media 10 Locals have had to close all the roads and shops whilst the horse fair is on Credit: w8media
The Guardian
03-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Defender of Dover: Eleanor de Montfort and the siege of 1265
Dover Castle has stood as a fortress on the Kent coast for more than 900 years, a site of power and conflict on the English coastline. Much of the castle we see today was built at great expense by Henry II in the late 12th century. He created the most advanced castle in Europe, and a stronghold designed to defend England's shores and cow the enemy. Over many centuries, it has been the site of great battles, the home of royalty and, today, is managed by English Heritage, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the towers, tunnels and walls that tell a rich story of England's past. Among the many figures to have shaped Dover Castle's history is the intriguing Eleanor de Montfort, a 13th-century noblewoman who was present during one of its most dramatic chapters. Born in 1215, the year her father King John agreed to Magna Carta, Eleanor de Montfort – or Eleanor of England – came into the world against the backdrop of a changing country with the crown at odds with the rebellious barons (nobles). In this era of upheaval, the castle was to find itself at the centre of the struggle between these rivals. It was during the Second Barons' War (1264-1267), that Eleanor took on a key role at Dover, defending the castle against an attack by the army of her brother, Henry III, led by her nephew Prince Edward (more of which later). Throughout her life, Eleanor defied the expectations placed on women of her rank and time. She was widowed in 1231, seven years after her arranged marriage, at just nine years of age, to William Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. Despite the limited rights of women in the 13th century, she actively fought to regain her rights when her brother-in-law, Richard Marshal, seized her late husband's assets to settle debts. In 1234, she took a vow of chastity, possibly as a strategy to secure her property, but broke it in 1238 when she secretly married Simon de Montfort, a French nobleman who became the Earl of Leicester. Their union caused a rift with the king who later claimed he only agreed to sanction it because de Montfort had seduced Eleanor. In the decades that followed, Henry III came into increasing conflict with de Montfort and the barons. The two sides vehemently disagreed over how the country should be governed, with the barons growing increasingly unhappy about Henry III's financial mismanagement and his favouritism towards foreign advisers. Meanwhile, the king became frustrated with the barons' demands that he establish a council of nobles to oversee his rule – a condition he believed restricted his royal authority. These tensions erupted in 1264 and resulted in the outbreak of war, with Eleanor's husband leading the baronial forces against the king's royalists – a conflict that would eventually lead to the siege of Dover Castle. At first things went well for the barons and in May 1264 their forces triumphed at the Battle of Lewes. With King Henry and his son Prince Edward held prisoner, De Montfort effectively became ruler of England. During this period, Eleanor lived at Odiham Castle in Hampshire, where household documents – unusually well-preserved for the era – give us an insight into her daily life, while her husband was away governing the realm. But after Prince Edward's escape from captivity, hostilities resumed in May 1265, an event that saw Eleanor move to Dover Castle for safety. Here, her role wasn't just ceremonial – she had real political influence. Dover's key location overlooking the English Channel made it a gateway to the continent, meaning messages and important visitors from France or Rome were likely to pass through. Surviving documents to the end of August 1265, suggest Eleanor took an active role in running the castle and organising its defence. She ate most meals with her household in the great hall, entertained important guests and kept political detainees in its prison cells, while remaining in contact with her husband about military movements. Her accounts detail purchases of food, wine, cloth and spices, and it's thought she managed a vast household of chaplains, stewards, cooks, maids and ladies-in-waiting. Things changed quickly as the king's forces grew in strength. In early August, Prince Edward – later King Edward I – led his troops to a decisive victory at the Battle of Evesham, a clash in which De Montfort and his eldest son Henry were killed. Despite her grief, the widowed Eleanor set her sights on holding Dover Castle. She took on the role of commander, even though it was almost unheard-of in the 13th century, and prepared her defences. But her plans were undermined when Royalist prisoners persuaded their guards to help them escape, and they took control of the keep. The emboldened Prince Edward who laid siege to the castle. Under attack from inside and out, her courage and strategy were vital to holding the castle, if only for a short time. Eleanor negotiated a surrender in October and was exiled to France where she died in 1275. Walk around Dover Castle today and you can see the areas where these events unfolded. The great tower, or keep, which was captured by royalist prisoners, the castle walls and fortifications. Visitors can walk in Eleanor's footsteps through the very rooms where she lived and worked. Despite her ultimate defeat, her courage marks her as a remarkable woman who defied the expectations of her time – a good reason to still celebrate her memory today. Visit the mighty Dover Castle to discover more about its long and exciting history. There are lots more places to visit in Kent, from Walmer and Deal castles to the Richborough Roman fort – making the county a great place to visit as a member. Dover and Walmer also have holiday cottages you can stay in.
Telegraph
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
This genteel riverside town is the A-list's best-kept secret
Tree-lined roads festooned with bunting, a coxless four gliding along the Thames, a lively cricket match in the sunshine: the opening scenes of The Marlow Murder Club's second season, aired in March 2025, paint the picture of a sociable, laid back town emanating countryside charm and community spirit. And, for once, fact is not so far from fiction. With its hanging baskets, neat streets, lush riverbanks and Georgian architecture, Marlow was last year officially deemed 'Best Kept Village' in Buckinghamshire – a hotly contested title vied for annually since 1957. Add Michelin stars, upmarket shopping and excellent pubs to the mix, and you have the perfect spot for an exceptionally genteel weekend break. Here, we help craft the perfect sojourn in this quaint, picturesque corner of Buckinghamshire, set between Henley and Maidenhead on the River Thames – complete with Michelin stars, meandering strolls and even a dash of retail therapy. A rich pedigree Tucked away on the border of South Bucks, Marlow is a town with a history that dates back to the Domesday Book. By 1227, it had received a market charter from King Henry III, adding Chipping to its name to signify market town status (though – unlike Chippings Campden and Norton of the Cotswolds – it has since dropped this qualifier). If Marlow's suspension bridge seems familiar, that's because it served as a prototype for designer William Tierney Clark's later, grander project, the striking Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest. Look out, too, for a blue plaque identifying the house where Mary Shelley finished Frankenstein, and for a bronze statue in Higginson Park; the UK's most decorated rower, Sir Steve Redgrave, was born in this riverside town where rowing heritage runs deep. Unexpected culinary credentials Marlow's charms have lured various high-profile names – including residents Ricky Gervais and Chris Evans – but there's a case to be made that it's celebrity chef and restaurateur, Tom Kerridge, who has most shaped its current identity. His four Marlow restaurants – all opened within the last decade – are widely credited with helping the town achieve its current status as a honeypot for destination-diners, while his brainchild Pub in the Park, the UK's largest touring food and music festival, has provided plenty of street cred. The two Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers – a cosy, unassuming pub opened by Kerridge 20 years ago – is still the star of the show, though The Coach (another, more affordable Michelin-starred pub), private dining room The Shed, and The Butcher's Tap (a traditional butcher's with, no surprise, another pub) have helped to cement Kerridge's influence. Others have followed suit. Atul Kochhar, another established local chef, serves up excellent Northern Indian food at Vaasu, and Southern dishes at Sindhu. For Mediterranean fare, there's Lavvin on West Street (its garden is particularly lovely), while Brvtvs on Spittal Street is all pizzas, cocktails and DJs playing vinyl, and – just down the road – you'll find Vietnamese at Suum Kitchen alongside the popular Oarsman gastropub. Locals will also tell you to stop by Strawberry Grove for its excellent cakes; The Vanilla Pod, run by chef-proprietor Michael Macdonald, for its tasting menus; M Café; The Duke pub; and Rebellion Beer Co, a local brewery with popular Members's Nights and a great shop. Get outdoors If you prefer a buzz, plan your visit to coincide with one of Marlow's many popular annual events: Pub in the Park, for example, which takes place in May; the Henley regatta and festival in June; the Marlow Carnival in September; or even the Santa Fun Run fundraiser and Christmas lights. This is, however, a delightful place to be when all is calm and quiet, particularly on a warm summer's day, when locals are going about their business or messing about on the river. It is a town made for riverside strolls, and there's even a lovely circular 10km route which takes in Higginson Park, Temple Mill Island, Hurley (stop at The Olde Bell, one of England's oldest inns, for a drink) and Bisham Woods. In spring, much of the way is blanketed with resplendent bluebells, and is said to have been the inspiration for the wildwood in Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Take to the boutiques There is no shortage of opportunities for shopping here, between the neatly curated roster of high-end high-street brands (Missoma, The White Company, Mint Velvet, Jigsaw, Space NK) and impressive line-up of independent spots (most of which exist largely to court the well-heeled weekender). Cases in point include Un Dimanche a Paris, which also has boutiques in Henley and Barbados, Susie Watson Designs's quintessentially English interiors – which can also be found in the likes of Salcombe and Tunbridge Wells – and cult Aussie brand R.M. Williams, worn by Margot Robbie, Cillian Murphy and Alexa Chung. It's all very quiet luxury – even if you haven't hit double digits yet (I defy any parent to leave Angel & Rocket or Scamp and Dude empty handed). Leave time for a stop at Home Barn, a rustic furniture and homeware haven, with an equally enticing farm shop next door. Spend the night If you want to be able to meander home on foot after an evening feast, The Hand & Flowers has 15 rooms across four cottages in town (from £325 per night, including a full cooked breakfast at the restaurant). If proximity is a less pressing concern, opt for the impossibly grand Danesfield House Hotel & Spa – where George and Amal Clooney threw their post-wedding bash – three miles up the road (from £249 per night).
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ilkeston Charter Fair set to be extended
Plans to extend a town's four-day fair, believed to be one of the longest-running in Europe, have been Charter Fair, in Derbyshire, was established by Henry III in 1252 and is set to return in fair sees rides and stalls take over the town centre with a royal charter read out by the mayor at the official Showmen's Guild made a formal request last year to Erewash Borough Council for rides to continue for one extra day, which the authority said would "bring additional economic and cultural value to the borough". The fair currently runs from Wednesday to Saturday but would be extended to Sunday this year, with opening hours from 13:00 to 20: to a council report, the Showmen's Guild has proposed a "quiet time" on the extra day where the lights and music from the rides will be switched off between 13:00 to 14:30 to make the fair "more inclusive and reduce noise pollution". 'Rejuvenate the economy' Residents were consulted over the proposal last year with the majority supporting the permanent authority, which has helped run the event since 1974, said: "The Charter Fair has been taking place in Ilkeston for over 750 years and delivers a rich cultural tradition during October of entertainment to the people of Erewash."The extension will deliver the corporate strategy aims to rejuvenate the local economy through bringing additional footfall into the town centre during the week of the fair and supporting our communities."The council added the change requires approval from the home secretary once they have received representation showing it should go ahead "for the convenience and advantage of the public".A previous plan to extend the fair was rejected by the council in 2019.
