People are being urged to share their memories of Loughborough Market and Fair as part of plans to celebrate its 800th anniversary next year.
The first fair was held in Loughborough on 31 July 1221 to mark the feast day of St Peter. It was in the same year that a charter to hold a market in Loughborough was granted to the Lord of the Manor. Both a market and a fair have taken place in some form in Loughborough since that date.
To mark the occasion, Charnwood Museum will host an exhibition to celebrate the milestone. People are being asked to share their memories, pictures, films and memorabilia for use in next year’s exhibition and as part of an archive.
The exhibition is a partnership between Leicestershire County Council and Charnwood Borough Council, with Loughborough Local Studies Volunteers leading on the historical research.
The ancient Loughborough Fair is a famous part of the town’s history and is still a highlight of the annual calendar today.
There are many generations of people in Loughborough and further afield who will have fond memories of Loughborough Fair over the years, as well as a treasure trove of pictures, films and memorabilia. It’s a lovely opportunity for people to contribute to this exhibition and share those memories with others.
Person:Richard Blunt, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for heritage, leisure, and arts Organisers of the exhibition want to hear from people of all ages who have memories of the fair – whether from many years back or much more recent. No memory is too small or insignificant for inclusion, as the organisers are hoping to include as much of the sights, sounds and smells of the fair as they can.
As well as sharing the memories in the exhibition, they will also be used to create a community film, add to the East Midlands Oral History Archive and catalogue in the archives at the Record Office for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Anyone who would like to get involved and share their unique connections to Loughborough Fair is asked to get in touch by emailing; louise.sharples@leics.gov.uk