The annual community event has been running all week, starting with the 'fun run and walk'
www.sidmouth.gov.uk/PDFs/wo2013/Fun Run entry form 2013.pdf


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and finishing today with the 'equestrian pleasure ride'
SIDBURY FAIR EQUESTRIAN PLEASURE RIDES. Begins: September 22, 2013 10:00 am; Finishes: September 22, 2013 12:00 pm; Venue: Sidbury Manor ...
Sidbury Fair Week | Facebook

It's an important part of life in the village, going back over seven centuries:

Sidbury Fair

CHAIRMAN: SIR JOHN CAVE Bt
SECRETARY: MRS. SUSAN GOODING (Tel: 01404 812845)
TREASURER: MIKE COLES

HISTORY OF SIDBURY FAIR
Sidbury was granted a charter for a Fair in 1291 by Edward I when he was up in Berwick upon Tweed. The Fair was to be held for three days to cover the Feast of the Virgin Mary in September.

The charter was probably granted because Sidbury was already a place of pilgrimage when people came to the church to give alms at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pity. It would, no doubt, have boosted the lives of the villagers where they could sell cattle, etc and garden produce.

The commencement of the Fair was noted by the appearance of gloved hand out of a window in the main street. Hot pennies were thrown into the street for the children to collect – a boon for the equally impoverished villagers of the time. Hot pennies are still thrown today from The Red Lion Inn and the former Royal Oak Inn but now to the children of Sidbury School who look forward to the event every year. 

Sidbury Fair has grown over the years with local produce and craft stalls, competitions etc and a livestock auction still takes place. Over the years the fair has extended to a whole week of events and gives local clubs and organisations an opportunity to raise funds. The Fair Committee is made up of local residents and is chaired by Sir John Cave of Sidbury Manor.

Sidbury Fair : Sidbury Village Website

The Herald has had a real splash of photos in this week's issue, plus a couple of reports:

Thursday, September 19, 2013 

The Sidbury Fair Committee puts on a lot of events over the villages’ big week and this year it has the added interest of the Tour of Britain Cycle Race and so the normal scarecrows have been joined by a colourful selection of bicycles throughout the village, writes John Perratt.

The Fun Run though always starts off the festivities and this year there were 150 walkers joining the runners on the long slog up past the Manor House and the final assault up to the top of Evergreen Hill where the Devon Flag was flying defiantly in the stiff breeze.

The views up there are amongst the best in the county and it is a privilege to be able to enjoy them but a hairy descent commands respect before the route joins the tarmac and a long downhill stretch back to the finish.

Pyne powers to success at Sidbury Fair Shorter Run race - Athletics - Sidmouth Herald
Sidbury Fair - News - Sidmouth Herald
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