Oldie's a goodie

8:10am Wednesday 27th August 2008

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One of the oldest annual village fairs in the country took place near Chippenham this week.

Lacock Village Fair dates back to 1241 when King Henry III gave Ela Countess of Salisbury the privilege of holding a fair in the picturesque village.

The annual event was held throughout the village and playing fields on Monday, when activities included a solo circus act, a Punch and Judy show, archery and skittles.

In the High Street there were various stalls including cake, sweet, toy and plant stalls as the Chippenham Brass Band kept the masses entertained.

The Bathampton Morris Men, who will celebrate their 75th anniversary next year, entertained the punters outside the Red Lion pub in High Street.

The group, who are off to Germany this weekend to dance for the people of Norder Danzkoppel in Germany, are an annual fixture at Lacock fair.

Morris dancer John Helsdon, 78, started dancing with the men in 1951.

He said: "We enjoy the atmosphere at these events. We become part of the village tradition each year."

Visitors could also enjoy the film trial and quiz, which was organised by the fair committee to celebrate Lacock's history of being used in various movies including Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austin's Emma.

Vicar at Lacock Church, and member of the fair committee, Sally Wheeler, said: "We try to make sure the fair has a community feel about it.

"We have one of the local brass band playing, the Morris men dancing and a solo circus on his unicycle dressed as a Victorian policeman."

Paul Newman is chairman of the fair committee. He said: "There are a lot more people in the field this year because we have a number of activities which have been really popular.

"We are planning to have an English civil war re-enactment at the fair next year."