SET FAIR FOR 'OSS FAIR?

Thursday (August 5) is the traditional day for Brigg Horse Fair.
Groups and local government types have tried in the past to give the event a more organised footing. But the fact is it just happens, being overseen by members of the travelling community who come from all over the north to trade their steeds, as they have for decades.
The horse fair has settled on Station Road in recent years, having earlier been near the Woolpack and, of course, immediately outside the White Horse. Starting time? We will estimate 10am.
Expect the usual good turn-out of interested spectators, keen to enjoy this free spectacle. And there aren't many of those about these days!
Brigg Horse Fair is often confused with Brigg Fair, afforded international prominence by composer Frederic Delius (search on Google/You Tube to hear some fine renditions of his arrangement of this traditional folk song).
It's accurate to say the horse fair can trace its roots back to the 13th century when Brigg was afforded a royal charter, which allows a market and fair to be held. However, it would be incorrect to suggest what we now see on August 5 has much in common with the old fair. In short, our horse fair has not been going since 1205.
Back in the early 1990s, the horse fair almost died off altogether. There were only two horses traded - I seem to recall on land off Cary Lane. However, things have recovered.
The Scunthorpe Telegraph/Lincolnshire Times archive contains many fine horse fair pictures taken down the decades. A few years ago, Brigg Amateur Social Historians staged an exhibition of some of them, in the White Horse, and some travellers were delighted to spot their relatives on the black and white images.