East Meon History

The Country Fair

In one form or another, Fairs have taken place in East Meon since the Middle Ages. In 1993, a new form of Fair was introduced on the Village Green, and has been successful ever since in attracting large numbers of visitors from all over the county. For more information on the Country Fair, click here.

Aerial view Country Fair — Fifteen years after the first Country Fair, an aerial view which includes the new houses on The Green.

Tug of War — The Tugs of War have been a regular feature since the Country Fair started – originally between teams from each of the East Meon pubs

Frank Wheeler as MC at the tug of war — Frank Wheeler has acted as announcer at most of the Country Fairs – here he attempts to control the tug-of-war

Wally on drums — Wally, the band leader, on drums

Jazz band playing — Wally Warner’s Jazz band is a regular feature at the Country Fair.

Cream teas in the Village Hall — Cream teas are one of the main attractions at the Country Fair, and generate significant income.

Frank Moffat cooking — Frank at the stove

Jane Atkinson serving at Hogroast — Jane Atkinson serving at Hogroast.

Frank Moffat at hog roast — Frank Moffat lends a hand at carving

Matt Atkinson carving — Matt Atkinson was one of the originators of the Country Fair, and runs a hog roast every year

Dog jumping 2010 — Dog jumping, one of the 2010 arena displays.

Dog display — Dog handling is a regular feature of the Country Fair

Owl at Country Fair 2011 — Owl, part of a display of trained birds of prey, at the 2011Country Fair.

Spectators at the Arena — Spectators applauding an arena display

Maypole Dance 2010 — Maypole Dance – a new generation of children dancing in 2010.

Children dancing at Maypole — East Meon Church of England Primary School children dance round the Maypole

Biker jumping — Biker jumping – part of a arena display at a more recent (2010) Country Fair

Eagle biker jumpiing through fire — Young Eagle jumping through fire

Young boy on motor bike — The Eagles include very small children doing amazing feats on their bikes

Pair of Eagles jumping — Careful timing as Eagles take it in turn to jump.

Chris Moor's Alpacas on display — Chris Moor runs an Alpaca farm in East Meon, and displayed his herd

Children in fairy costumes with lambs — The Country Fair is an opportunity for the young to learn about the countryside around them

Girl at Sheep Shearing — Children watching Sheep Shearing

Winner with bottle — A happy winner with her prize

Audience as arrow stops — The arrow stops rotating, and a winner celebrates

Audience at Spinning Jenny — Excitement grows as the Spinning Jenny arrow rotates

Local MP visits Country Fair — The local MP, Michael Mates, at the Spinning Jenny

Joe Selby and Dominic Carney raffle Whiskey tickets — Joe Selby and Dominic Carney raffle tickets for Whiskey

George Atkinson at coconut shy — Local farmer George Atkinson looks after the coconut shy

Boy bobbing for apples — Apple bobbing at the Country Fair, supervised by Clare Bartlett

Bric a brac stall at Country Fair — The bric-a-brac stall is always a very successful feature at the Country Fair

Visitors at the 2006 Country Fair — The Country Fairs continue to attract visitors, up to 5,000 in any year.

May queen with floral headband — The May Queen is chosen from local children

May Queen arrives — The May Queen’s procession opens the Country Fair