Looking back at previous Ovingham Goose Fairs in June

Ovingham Goose Fair is held on the third Saturday of June each year in the village and its history is said to stretch over nine centuries.

According to the Ovingham Goose Fair's website, the fair began in the 13th century, was reinstated in the 20th and continues into the 21st.

(L) County Councillor Paul Kelly, Ovingham Goose Fair Chairman Neville Gray and Bridge End Inn Landlord James Outterside at Ovingham Pack Horse Bridge (Image: Tony Iley)

Ovingham in the 13th century belonged to the Umfraville family and used to have a weekly market and an annual fair on St Andrew's Day (November 13). 

In 1471, the Earls, later Dukes, of Northumberland became Lords of the Manor and held the rights to the fair.

By 1826, the fair was generally for the sale of cattle. In the 1840s, a fair selling geese was being held on the Village Green. 

Ovingham Goose Fair 2013. The Parade from the Cross to the Pack Horse Bridge was followed by TV presenter Kenny Toal reading out the proclamation, pictured with his son Francis (Image: Tony Iley)

The fair ceased to operate at some point in the 20th century. In 1969, the Ovingham Reading Room Committee, headed by Gladys Mills, Alan Edgar and Douglas Mennear formally applied to the Duke of Northumberland to reinstate the fair to fundraise for improvements to the Reading Room including a large extension. Permission was granted. 

The Northumbrian Pipers performing (Image: Supplied)

It was first held at on the two Wellburn fields belonging to the Regional Hospital Board and tenanted by Professor Allen of Bleach Green Farm.

Ovingham Goose Fair in 2013 (Image: Newsquest)

Once the Village Green had been restored, the fair was moved back to the green and extended to the Vicarage Haugh as the number of stalls increased.

Goose (Francis Jones) with Marianne Bowen (5 yrs) on Ovingham stepping stones (Image: Dean Bowen)

The Covid pandemic prevented the fair from going ahead in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Crowds at the Goose Fair (Image: Newsquest)

The modern fair has about 40 stalls which comprise local craftspeople selling their produce and community organisations.

Festivities begin with a procession on Pack Horse Green and travel over the Pack Horse Bridge, featuring a person dressed as a goose, a man in a top hat with a bell, the vicar of St. Mary's, Northumbrian Pipers, Morris Dancers and dance groups as well as children in fancy dress and representation from various village organisations and groups.

Ovingham W.I. Cake Stall manned by Mary Robson left and Isobel Dodd right at the fair in 2012 (Image: Dean Bowen)

The fair is usually opened by a mystery celebrity or a local noteworthy soul.

Last year's fair in 2023 (Image: Dean Bowen)

Hundreds turned up to enjoy the 53rd year of the Ovingham Goose Festival last year in the sun on June 17 when it returned for the first time after the pandemic.

On the day, visitors enjoyed the line-up of entertainment, and local craft stores, and savoured local delicacies.

Simon Marker and Jemima Puddleduck (Claudia Marker) arrive in style for the fair (Image: Supplied)