THE popular Ovingham Goose Fair will be back on Saturday, June 17 after a pause due to the Covid pandemic.

Chair of the committee, Joanna Jackson, said: "It is great to be back this year, I was one of the main organisers from mid-1990s to 2010, when I took a step back.

"We are planning a traditional Goose Fair this year, with local community groups having stalls; local crafters showing off their wares and a selection of local businesses promoting their products and services.

"There will be a great selection of hot and cold food including ‘Singin Hinnies’, kid’s activities, music, Morris dancers, sword dancers and a drama group that will be entertaining the crowds all afternoon."

The fair dates back to Ovingham in the 13th Century where it belonged to the Umfraville family and used to have a weekly market as well as an annual fair on St Andrew's Day, which was November 13.

In 1471, the Earls (later Dukes) of Northumberland became Lords of the Manor and held the rights of the fair but in 1826 the fair was for the sale of cattle and business and was preceded by a procession which was called “Riding the Bounds”.

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Historical references in the mid-19th century refer to the demise of the cattle fair - and of it “degenerating” into a mere amusement for children - but a fair selling geese was still being held on the village green in the 1840s. It is not known when the fair ceased.

In 1969, the Reading Room Committee, headed by Gladys Mills, Alan Edgar and Douglas Mennear formally applied to the Duke of Northumberland to reinstate the fair and permission was granted.

Joanna adds: "It has been in its current form since 1969 but had a break from 2014 to 2018 when the bridge work was being carried out.

"It was then relaunched in 2019, then stopped again for Covid.

"It was hoped to have been able to hold a Goose Fair last year, but the committee felt there were too many possible Covid restrictions in place."