Cover: May 1959.
50 years ago
Tom Clun reminisced over the history of May fairs, and wondered whether they were seeing their last days.
The annual fairs in the south of the county, he explained, were nearly all ‘hiring fairs’; that is, where workers of both sexes hired themselves out for a year’s service. Yet, since the Second World War the public hiring custom had died out completely.
Seventy years previously, though, the workers usually had their ‘May Time’ holiday and liked to make the most of it. To hire at Bishop’s Castle fair on May 6 was regarded as “a bit soon”. Clun fair, on May 11, had given them a chance to see “which way the wind was blowing” and was regarded as the best time for hiring. Knighton, a week later, was “getting time to clinch matters”.
“In the town of Bishop’s Castle,” wrote Tom, “there was an eager awareness among the children.
“At the first news of the fairs caravan, gangs of children set out to meet it, to escort it to town.
“Shops were full of enticing bargains, pubs had stocked up plenty of beer. Eating houses were clearing out unused rooms and setting tables.
“Quite soon in the day, the invasion began. Everybody was free and on the loose. After 12 months relentless toil pay day had arrived, golden sovereigns and half-sovereigns reposed in those pockets and purses . . .”
Cover: May 2009.
Aside from the articles you can browse on this website, the print magazine contains a wealth of fascinating feature pieces and regular items to keep you entertained and informed. This month, you can also read about:
Bucolic and bounteous . . . Wyldwoods at Broseley was set up to offer ‘rural discoveries’ for people from all walks of life. Violet Hunter gets in touch with her green side
Far enough from the madding crowd . . . Listening to village voices, Ben Bentley heads to Stottesdon in the south of the county, finds a youthful acolyte of the WI and talks to a keen gardener – and someone else who knows his bulbs . . .
Off at a gallop . . . Franky Reid-Warrilow is clearly at home on horseback – literally so, with the formation of her equestrian business. Tony Adams hears her story
One man and his dog . . . Carl Jones visits the Low Life Centre – sorry, make that the Sea Life Centre
Ritz for rats, Savoy for snails . . . Rodent Retreat UK is not the place to go if you’re not keen on the patter of furry feet. But for the animals themselves it’s heaven, discovers Andy Richardson
The ultimate spring clean . . . Shirley Tart sees the results of years’ work at Attingham Park
Getting to the art of the matter . . . NADFAS is an organisation committed to keeping its members well informed about fine art. Shirley Tart listens in and learns
Teen spirit . . . Shropshire seen through the eyes of 15-year-old Hannah Coles
Education supplement . . . Introducing some of the county’s premier seats of learning
Miss Anna Breeze and Miss Gemma Dickinson pictured at a fundraising ball for the Help the Heroes charity. See more pictures in the print version of the magazine.
Tales from the tests . . . Neil Thomas hears how a county publisher secured the rights to Peter Baxter’s tales from the Test Match Special commentary box
The big picture in light and motion . . . We preview an exhibition by Wellington photographer John Brettell
Out and about . . . Shirley Tart’s social round-up and photographs from your events
Wine Club . . . A chance to buy a specially discounted case of wine, selected by Tanners of Shrewsbury
Fashion – a good result over two legs . . . Susan Cushing checks out who wears the trousers
Health and beauty . . . Sue Austin undergoes a voyage of dermal discovery, while Grace Dunbar suggests a checklist for summer sunseekers
Motoring . . . a preview of the Mid Shropshire Vintage Club’s two-day rally
Antiques . . . The Kray Twins put in an appearance at a local antiques saleroom
Perfect pitch . . .Neil Thomas tries out a modern-day holiday home
In keeping with the spirit of Test Match Special, Peter Baxter, Henry Blofeld and Christopher Martin-Jenkins present Her Majesty the Queen with a fruit cake at Lord’s cricket ground in 2001.
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