THE CROWDS turned out and the rain held off in Bromsgrove today when the annual Court Leet Fair Day and Street Market took place.
The parade, led by Shirley Pipe Band and containing the Bailiff and members of the Bromsgrove Court Leet, councillors and other dignitaries, journeyed from Housman Hall to the town centre.
Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd. s
Once there, it processed down the High Street and back up again to the Housman statue for the proclamation and assize of goods, including ale, bread, meat and leather.
Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd. s
Proceedings at the Housman statue started with an introduction from Bromsgrove Town Crier and Court Bellman Kevin Ward.
A prayer was given by Rev Ray Khan and then the historic charter granted to the town in 1199 by King John was read by the Bailiff, Mark Robinson.
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The charter gave permission for an annual Midsummer’s Day Fair every year in the Parish of St John.
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After that, the ale tasters, bread weighers and members of the court responsible for leather and meat gave their verdicts on the goods on sale in the town.
Readers will be pleased to hear everything was deemed ‘fit for the people of Bromsgrove’.
The Court’s brook-looker declared that the town’s waterways were ‘on the dry side’ after the prolonged hot spell and heatwave. But, with a drop of rain, he was confident they would return to normal levels soon.
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Among those with stalls in the Elizabethan Market were The Friends of St John, the Bromsgrove Lions, Bromsgrove Blood Cancer UK, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Avoncroft Museum and the Bromsgrove and Redditch Welcomes Refugees.
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The Somers Cup – for the best dressed stall – was awarded to the Bromsgrove and Redditch Welcomes Refugees and a group of Ukrainians who were on the stall and had benefited from the group’s good work gave a moving speech.
They thanked the people of Bromsgrove for being so welcoming and everything that had been done for them since their arrival.
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Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas, who was among the guests, enjoyed his first Fair Day as the town’s Member of Parliament.
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He said: “Today is a very important day in Bromsgrove’s calendar as it celebrates our history and heritage and brings people together.
“There was a fantastic atmosphere in town and it is good to see the theatrics behind the proud history of the town.”
