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FUN OF THE FAIR FOR 750
YEARS
09:30 - 18 October 2002
More than seven centuries after Henry III granted a charter
to allow Ilkeston to hold a fair in its streets, the event is still going strong.
Ilkeston Charter Fair opened to the public on Wednesday night with all the fun of the big
white-knuckle rides, traditional dodgems and waltzers, and games and stalls.
This year, to mark the 750th anniversary since the charter was granted in 1252, the usual
four-day event has been extended by a day, until 10pm on Sunday.
The fair is being held in Market Place, Upper Bath Street, East Street, South Street,
Queen Street, Wharncliffe Road and Pimlico.
More than 300 people turned out to see the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor George Buckley,
read from the 1252 charter and officially open the fair yesterday.
As part of the 750th anniversary celebrations, a thanksgiving service will be held on
Sunday outside the Town Hall at 2pm, followed by a family fun day, with street
entertainers in the town centre during the afternoon from 2.30pm.
The modern fair is a consolidation of three events that were held until 1888 - the
original charter fair to celebrate the end of the harvest season; Wakes Week, an annual
religious celebration; and the Statutes Fair, which dated back to the 14th century.
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