St John's Fair returns to Witheridge

After a brief hiatus, one of Devon's oldest charter fairs is set to make a return to Witheridge on Saturday, June 22.

St John’s Fair, dating back to 1248, will once again bring the village to life with traditional festivities.

The day begins with a parade through the centre of Witheridge, ending with the reading of the King's Charter by two Witheridge School students. 

This year, the parade will conclude at the Parish Hall, a change from its traditional route to the village square.

St John's Fair, established by King Henry III, was a staple in Witheridge until the early 1930s. 

Revived in 1991 by local resident Peggy Miles, the fair has faced cancellations in recent years due to the pandemic. 

A newly formed committee, led by Ryan Manning, has been working hard to restore the fair. He said: “We all have such great memories of St John's Fair. For many of us on the committee, it was important to bring it back. Today's world presents more obstacles, with insurance and health and safety requirements, so we have modernised some of our traditions.”

The parade will start at 11am from the Fire Station, with activities continuing at the Parish Hall throughout the day. 

This year's St John's Fair promises a day of enjoyment and community spirit.

The fair will feature traditional stalls, games, food vans, and a disco in the evening. New this year is the Withyfest tent, offering live music from local bands from 12pm to 8pm.

The committee is seeking additional parade vehicles and stall vendors. 

Interested parties can contact Witheridgesjf@outlook.com.