A Findon Sheep Fair of yesteryear.
THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.
SHEEP FAIR 2002
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Copyright Valerie Martin 2002
DO YOU RECOGNISE THE ABOVE SCENE? That's right, it's the Harris fun fair as seen every year at the Findon Sheep Fair. This is the Corgi model "Galloper" fairground ride — Fred Harris' rotating, hand-painted, die-cast model. 1:50 scale. Illuminated. Requires two AA batteries.
Clive Emsley of Upper Beeding in West Sussex was the first person to e-mail me on the 1st February 2002 to enquire if there would be a Findon Sheep Fair for 2002. He rather fancied walking across the Downs from Upper Beeding to Nepcote Green on the day. That would be a bit too far for me — and certainly too far on the way back ....but Clive is obviously used to walking.
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Starting on the afternoon of Friday, 13th September 2002, the roundabout and sideshows of the Harris Fun Fair opened.
Later Friday night the Barn Dance to the music of the Foreman Five took place and this is the scene on the night....
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On Saturday 14th September, 2002, the Craft and Produce stalls opened. Unfortunately there were no sheep at the Sheep Fair because of the complexities of continuing foot and mouth restrictions. But to compensate there were Morris dancers, Punch and Judy and a Dog Show.
The Fun Fair will continued on Saturday and in the evening with the music of Freddie and the Ferrets.
A hog roast with other refreshments and a licensed bar combined to ensure a good time.
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Did you know that it was in 1928 that the first lorry came on the scene at the Findon Sheep Fair. This was owned by a local contractor. Most of the sheep were still walked to the fairground though.
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A Findon Sheep Fair of yesteryear. |
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24th May 2002. Hi Valerie, Don Fremlin, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
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At least there was no mention of a five baa gate, Don. The counting of sheep by Sussex shepherds of days of yore was done thus....
| Sussex (in pairs) | |
| one | Wuntherum |
| two | Twotherum |
| three | Cockerum |
| four | Cutherum |
| five | Shetherum |
| six | Shatherum |
| seven | Wineberry |
| eight | Wigtail |
| nine | Tarry-diddle |
| ten | Den |
Hover your mouse over the sheep below as this is the nearest the Sheep Fair gets to sheep in 2002......
The weather for the 2002 Findon Sheep Fair was kind.
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The Harris's famous Gallopers at the Fun Fair in 2002.
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Sadly, due to movement restrictions, resulting from last year's foot and mouth outbreak, the traditional Sheep Fair Auction could not take place. Hopefully this is a temporary measure and we an look forward to the day when the historically important Sheep Fair Auction can be resumed.
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Ian Short from Beech Road, Findon, carving his wooden ducks in the marquee. |
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Yours truly with Ian Ticehurst the Chairman of the Sheep Fair and Village Festival Committee and all-round organizer on 14th September 2002. |
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Sompting Morris with the ancient Wattle House as a backcloth. |
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A photographic opportunity with Robert Harris of the Harris Fun Fair, my daughter Janine and John the late Pelling who was well known for visiting every Findon Sheep Fair. |
John has the last word on the Sheep Fair for 2002 with his atmospheric photograph of the fair on Nepcote Green by night —
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Continue if you would like to read about the Findon Sheep Fair 2003.
THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.
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E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com |
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