HUNDREDS of people have flocked to a Hampshire village to take part in a fair that dates back more than 750 years.
The Wickham Horse Fair kicked off on Saturday as roads were closed for the festivities to take place.
The sun beat down on Wickham Square as families enjoyed the rides and watched the horse fair get into full swing.
The Wickham Fair has been running for hundreds of years, with its history dating back to the thirteenth century.
READ MORE: Hundreds attend Wickham Horse Fair 2023 - Recap
The horse market became a bigger part of the fair around 20 years ago and is popular with the travelling community who come to show and sell their horses.
Organisers worked closely with the police and RSPCA to arrange the event.
Bernice Wall of Walls Fun Fair used to run the fun fair side of the event but now runs the market side, which she has done for the last 30 years.
She said her husband's family has attended the fair for generations.
She told the Daly Echo: "It started as a trading fair, not a horse fair, where they would trade animals, and there was always a fun fair there.
"So the fun fair just carried on with the fun fair charter for a very long time and then about 25 years ago the horses became a bit more prominent.
"The police and the council asked Walls Fun Fair if we would help to manage it so we said we would help manage the market but we couldn't be in control of the horses.
"The police take care of that and we organise the traders to go in which seems to work very well."
She said that they have begun to increase the size of the fun fair in a bid to attract more families.
"It's a lovely day," she added.
"The sun is shining, the fun fair is only here for one day.
"A tremendous amount of work is put into it so it's going very well so far."
Chantelle McCorkin came to the fair with her two young children.
She said: "I think people who have never been have a really negative opinion of it but if you actually came and saw what happened here they would probably change their minds.
"It's very popular with travellers and some come from really far away to take part.
"You can see how well the horses are cared for. My kids are really enjoying it."
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel