| You might find it hard to believe that Europe's largest | | | | in the said Borough (Stratford upon Avon)". |
| funfair in town centre streets was originally a place | | | | Mop fairs were originally fairs where workers hired |
| where the unemployed could find work, but it is true. | | | | themselves out to employers for the next 12 months. |
| Held on the 11th and 12th October each year, the | | | | The workers would indicate their skill by carrying or |
| Stratford Mop Fair is a tradition that can be traced | | | | wearing an item - a shepherd would carry his crook or |
| back hundreds of years. On these days, the streets in | | | | a lock of wool; a labourer would carry a piece of |
| the town centre are closed to traffic and filled with | | | | plaited hay; waggoners wore whipcord in their hats, |
| funfair rides, stalls and tents. | | | | and maidservants would have mops or brooms. Once |
| By custom, the fair is opened by the mayor who holds | | | | hired, a worker would remove the item and wear |
| a pig or ox roast before the opening. The mayor is | | | | bright ribbons instead. Those who were offered a job |
| then led around the fair by the master of the mop, and | | | | would be paid a retainer which they would spend on |
| the mayor chooses a ride to go on. On the first | | | | food, drink and games at the fair. The Runaway Mop |
| morning of the fair, local children can enjoy the rides | | | | was held the following week for employers who found |
| free of charge. A week later a smaller fair called the | | | | they had made a poor choice to re-hire staff. |
| Runaway Mop is held. | | | | Only a handful of English towns still hold a mop fair, |
| History of the Stratford Mop Fair | | | | and it is unlikely that many of the visitors are aware of |
| The Stratford Mop was first granted a royal charter | | | | the traditional reason for them being held. But the |
| by Edward V1 in 1544 with further charters by James I | | | | uniqueness of the experience at Stratford combining |
| and Charles II in 1611 and 1676 respectively. The 1676 | | | | the thrill of the rides surrounded by Tudor style |
| charter provided for mops or fairs to be held "...within | | | | half-timbered houses, means that a great day out is on |
| and through all places Streets Lanes Alleys and Fields | | | | the cards for everyone. |