The highlight of the Colyford year since 1980 has been the medieval-styled Goose Fayre, held on the last Saturday in September, which this year falls on Saturday, September 28, 1.30 pm – 5.00 pm.
In 1208 King John granted to Colyford Mayor, Sir Thomas Bassett (also a signatory to the Magna Carta), permission to hold an annual week-long fayre to celebrate Michaelmas. This annual tradition, however, had died out by the 1920s but, over a cup of tea, some of the villagers, led by then Mayor of Colyford, Colin Pady, decided to resurrect the annual “goose” fayre with the intention of creating a day-long event which would bring together the whole village.
Colin was supported by George (known as Jock) and Hilary Mabon, parents of Rachel Wiltshire. I spoke to both Rachel and Colin, both of whom are a fund of information about the history of the contemporary incarnation of the Fayre, with an extensive archival collection of past programmes and photographs.
In 2020, when they were not able to hold the Fayre, a calendar for 2021 was produced featuring photographs of the revels across the years.
The day of the Fayre is filled with mock-medieval events starting with a costumed pageant and including the Colyford Mummers Play, the Ram Roast, and traditional sideshows and craft stalls.
The proceeds from the Fayre are spent on community events during the rest of the year, principal beneficiaries being the Village Hall and maintenance of the Church and its garden.
In the early days, Hilary Mabon oversaw the planning and a team of ladies from the village came together with Colin’s wife, Val, to sew medieval pageant costumes for the whole village. Everyone attending the Fayre is still encouraged to dress up and there is a Costume Exchange in the village with an archive of 1400 patterns for costumes.
A restriction that was agreed at the start of the modern version of the Fayre and which continues is that no electricity is to be used in the field, other than for a fridge to keep the beer chilled.
A favourite tradition of the Fayre is the Colyford Goose Fayre song with words by Dennis Warner and music by Mick Bye.
Come to the Colyford Goose Fayre
Upon a Michaelmas Day
There’s all to see, and there’s lots to share
For everyone come what may.
Among the entertainers on the day are minstrels, mummers drawn from local residents who perform the Mummers Play, strolling players and Morris dancers. Other entertainment includes the demonstration of bodging (wood turning), archery and Quintain (jousting) and the afternoon will finish with a mock auction of geese.
The auction of geese remains a feature of the Fayre, although these days people can no longer take home the geese they have “won”. In the early days of the modern version, people did just that. Rachel said, “It was not unusual to see the odd couple leaving the fayre by motorbike, husband driving and his wife on the back with a goose
under each arm.” New this year will be cob-wall making and a demonstration of scything pitted against the modern strimmer.
Colin Pady is very proud that the Goose Fayre has become central to the village year and said, “All that we do is part of who we are. The Fayre brings together everyone in the village, the older residents and younger people, everyone can take part.” It is one of the best alternative fayres in the area, a wonderful closing event to the summer and everyone is very welcome.
Full details about this year’s Fayre and the history and background can be found https://www.colyfordvillage.co.uk/colyford-goose-fayre and The Colyford Goose Fayre Facebook page.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here