OVER 790 years after it was granted the right to hold one weekly market and two annual fairs, Newent made the most of the opportunity with it’s traditional ‘Onion Fayre’ on Saturday (September 9).
Chair of the organising committee, Andy Offard, said: “One of the two annual fairs permitted in 1226 gradually turned into the onion fair, which survived in the town until the1920s when it died out due to the Depression. It was resurrected in 1996 to promote Newent, so this was the 23rd modern onion fair.
“Once again it was a great family atmosphere and visitor numbers were up on last year. The opening parade set off with huge Leonberger dogs pulling carts and the mayor, June Davies took part in the parade in an electric tuk-tuk.
“We had over 160 stall holders in the end and this year we introduced a third, acoustic, stage in the revamped food village in Co-op car park, close to the onion show in the memorial hall. We also introduced a ‘Funion Zone’ as a children’s party area. We had a dog show by the lake again as well as the annual onion eating competition.
“Local shops decorated their windows ahead of the event and the theme this year was song titles. Great Oaks Dean Forest Hospice charity shop and the Shambles were joint winners.
“The day was lovely, with plenty of sunshine until we suddenly got half an inch of rain at 3.30pm which drowned the electrics and prevented the headline act, Who’s Next, from performing.
“Stage Two was all local acts with a lot of up and coming new musicians. The main stage opening act was Filthy Casual, who won the competition we organised and were really good. Two of their members come from Newent and two are from Longlevens in Gloucester.
“I’d particularly like to thank visitors for using the official car parks rather than residential streets. As well as inconveniencing local people, we rely on income from car parking to finance
the event, which costs around £20,000 a year to run. Parking, stall holders and sponsors are essential to the success of the event as we are entirely self-funding.
“It’s the generosity of local businesses, stall holders and the people who attend who make it possible.
“Special thanks also need to go to the organising committee. The event is a phenomenal amount of work and they are all doers. We would love more people to get involved for next year’s event.
“We particularly need help with promotion, advertising and website and social media.”
To get involved, email [email protected]