There’s so much happening in South Molton over Olde English Fayre weekend you’ll be spoilt for choice!

On Thursday morning you can visit our historic pannier market and then pop upstairs to the Assembly rooms to the Fayre Coffee Morning where you can have a well deserved cup of coffe and a sit down before having a look around the stalls.

On Friday at 1pm the square will be closed to traffic in preparation for the festivities to begin in real earnest. The Senior Citizens will be having their Tea & Tea Dance between 2pm and 5pm and hot on the heels of that The Coaching Inn’s Food & Beer Festival starts at 6pm as does the Flea Market & Bric-a-brac Fair in the square including a fun fair, craft stalls and refreshments all going on until approx. 9.30pm.

Saturday is the main fayre day with events happening all day. There will be the usual Olde English Fayre Market in the Pannier Market plus an indoor Craft Fair, Children’s Maypole Dancing, Traditional Fayre Queen Crowning Ceremony, Display of Vintage Vehicles, Children’s Games, Fairground Rides, Go Karts and a Choral Concert. I’m exhausted just thinking about it!

Sunday starts with a Father’s Day breakfast in the Coaching Inn followed by the Grand Draw and a parade to the Parish Church for the 11am service. In the afternoon The traditional Beating of the Bounds, organised by walkers group STRIDE, sets off from Hill Village at 2.30pm.

The Fayre finishes with the South Molton Strugglers Children’s Games at the Community College sports field at 6pm on Monday.

The South Molton Olde English Fayre dates back to the 12th Century when Lord of the Manor Nicholas Fitz Martyn obtained a charter to hold a fair. Since that date, the Fayre has continued through the centuries being confirmed by Royal Charter in 1590 by Queen Elizabeth I that stated a Fayre can be held annually during the months of June and August. Charles II proclaimed a further Charter for the Fayre in 1684.

Monies raised through the fayre are distributed to local good causes.