AROUND five thousand people gathered on Alcester High Street to celebrate the annual Mop Fair.

The two-day event began on Monday, October 6 and continued with an official opening procession from the Town Hall at 3.30pm on Tuesday, October 7.

Many traditional fairground rides lined the streets and children were able to take a free turn if they were accompanied by a court leet officer.

Steven Brown, High Bailiff of Alcester Court Leet at the time, opened the fair by reading aloud the charter which was granted by King Edward in 1292 to the Lord of the Manor of Alcester, Walter Beauchamp.

The agreement stated that Alcester Court Leet has the right to hold a mop fair in the town on the first Tuesday of October each year.

Steven, who is now the Immediate Past Bailiff, said: “It was very well attended. It is always nice and it marks the start of the lead up to Christmas, people look forward to the mop coming.”

At 7.30pm, the Court Leet also held an Assize, an old custom to ensure food and goods sold in the town are of a good standard and that trading between parties is fair.

During the ceremony, the quality of food and drink from local traders was tested and later an auction of bread, fish and meat took place and ale was given away for free.

Traditionally, a mop festival was a type of employment day where many types of workers would attend the event dressed in their best clothes and carrying an item which represented their trade, anyone without a specific ability would carry a mop.