WITH the sun shining on this year’s St Peter’s Fair there were many live events and activities to take part in, alongside yearly-observed traditions.

Even though the powers and duties of the Court Leet have long since ceased, the traditions they uphold are still carried out today.

Beginning on Saturday, July 2, the fair ran on until the following Sunday with a plethora of events to appeal to all ages.

On Tuesday one of the old traditions was carried out as Portreeve John Addicott, chaired the meeting of the Court Leet in all his finery, at 7.30pm with petitions from the court’s members.

The town crier Roger Dunstan, the Portreeve and the members of the Court Leet were lead by the Holsworthy Town Band to the local Ale Houses for the ceremonial ‘Ale Tasting’ and the presentation of the ‘Fairy Ivy’ to the landlords of the White Hart, the Crown & Sceptre and the Golden Fleece.

The festivities continued into ‘Fair Day’ on the morning of Wednesday, July 6, where the town crier, on the site of the Old Great Tree of Holsworthy, made a Proclamation to officially open the Fair at 8am ahead of the traditional Bread Weighing ceremony.

St Peter’s Fair Day then continued with the traditional Pannier Market before the yearly market, or St Peter’s Day Sale, was held. Later in the day there was the presentation of this year’s Pretty Maid, who was 14-year-old Eloise Warren.

She was presented during the official ceremony to the town as the clock struck midday from the belfry door.

The rest of the fair saw a host of live entertainment, a beautiful flower festival put on by the Holsworthy Hamlets Flower Club in the Bodmin St Methodist Chapel entitled ‘Happy and Glorious’, the ‘Furry Dance’ starting at the entrance to The Memorial Hall and making its way through town before finishing in the square.

The fair was finished off with Songs of Praise, accompanied by the Holsworthy Town Band, in the Bodmin St Methodist Chapel.

Mayor of Holsworthy Jon Hutchings said: “The town council don’t really have a lot to do with the running of the fair but as mayor and member of the St Peter’s Fair committee I have been very involved and it has been quite manic, but at the same time great.

“We had some very good weather during the first few days of the fair, which was great, obviously good weather helps when drawing in the crowds.

“I have had both my mayor’s hat on, so to speak, and my entertainment co-ordinator’s hat whilst organising the stage in the square and other events, but I think we have had some great entertainment during fair week and people seem to have enjoyed it.”

He added: “Overall we have had a very good and busy St Peter’s Fair.”

l See page six for the Court Leet report.