HUNDREDS of travelers flocked to a huge, centuries-old funfair with street racing horses and ponies for sale.
Wickham Horse Fair has been held in The Square in Wickham, Hampshire for almost 800 years.
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Young women gather at the annual Wickham Horse Fair Credit: W8media
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Street horse racing at the annual eventCredit: w8media
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At the fair, members of the Roma and Traveler community travel to the village to sell and race ponies and horsesCredit: W8MEDIA
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The fair attracts visitors from all over the countryCredit: W8MEDIA
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Two young guys help put on a show for the audience Credit: w8media
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Hundreds turned out in Fareham on a glorious sunny dayCredit: w8media
Hundreds of people were pictured basking in the glorious sunshine to watch the horses on display and enjoy the fun fair today.
Large crowds were seen standing along the barriers while others happily rode around on horseback.
It is believed that traveling families started gathering at the Wickham Horse Fair from 1269 and have been returning ever since.
Today was no different as excited men, women and children rushed to the square.
At the start of the annual fair, some flew down the street while participating in street horse races.
Others paraded their ponies down the road in an attempt to find a willing buyer as excited onlookers watched.
Describing the event, passenger Sammy Cooper said: “It’s just for one day, we enjoy seeing the horses, we enjoy a day out with the family.
“It’s changed a little bit, but we have some travelers who come here who think they’re travelers and they’re not.
– But it was always good here, there is still enough room, the horses stay away.
Mr Cooper has attended the “very good” daytime event for as long as he can remember and said he “always comes back and always will”.
Another passenger, who asked to remain anonymous, described the trip as “a day for the gypsy community to come together.”
Describing the day’s event, she said: “Normally the men come the night before and agree on guts and during the day they do a flash and show the horses, who got the best, buy to sell at the next fair like in Cambridgeshire.”
Hundreds of travelers descend on Wickham in Hampshire for the 800-year-old annual horse fair
She added: “I would say it used to be a lot busier, like many years ago, but now it’s not just full of passengers.”
However, some travelers resented the fact that the fair had become “commercialized”.
Another attendee, named Andy, has been attending the event for over 30 years.
The 50-year-old said: “Well, it used to be a lot better because the horses had a lot more room.
“They could go down and come back on the other side, but now it’s much more limited.
“They turned it into a more commercial, market event, not just a horse event.”
A participant said it was “more of a market now” and that the horse track was “narrower and shorter”.
Along the road, street vendors sold clothing next to where the horses were displayed.
The road was lined with stalls selling everything from clothes for babies and adults to cleaning products and bedding.
There were also shoes, colorful balloons, handbags and hats on sale.
Hungry visitors are also offered food and drink with one stall serving Yorkshire pudding wraps.
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Hundreds turned out to see the horses and ponies on display, with even more arriving Credit: w8media
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Wickham Horse Fair is an annual event that has been held for almost 800 yearsCredit: w8media
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A rider gallops along the road on a horseCredit: w8media
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Families enjoyed the sunshine and today’s occasion Credit: Meon Valley Times
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Hundreds more arrived at Wickham Horse Fair by afternoonCredit: Meon Valley Times
According to tradition, this year’s fair is held on Monday, May 20.
The event is usually held on May 20 – except when it is a Sunday.
Despite it being Monday, the fair was bustling with life, and many visitors enjoyed the warm weather with a pint.
Local Abi O’Toole lives nearby and has been attending the event for seven years.
Describing it, the 44-year-old mum said: “It’s got a nice atmosphere, nice horses, pretty good fun, lovely people.
“Everyone is friendly and it’s good for the kids, people come from all over the country.”
Portsmouth resident Gerald Huntley said he has been attending the event since he was a baby.
The 67-year-old, who used to buy and sell horses, said: “It’s never changed and everyone knows me.
What is Wickham Horse Fair?
The Wickham Horse Fair has been held in Wickham Square, Fareham for almost 800 years.
According to tradition, this year’s fair is held on Monday, May 20.
The event is usually held on May 20 – except when it is a Sunday.
2022 is officially back after the restrictions due to Covid.
However, in 2021 there was an illegal gathering – people sold, raced and admired ponies and enjoyed the amusement park.
It’s back in full force in 2023. with spectacular traditional horse races.
The horse fair has been held since 1269, almost 800 years ago – making it one of the oldest horse fairs in the country.
The Wickham Horse Fair traces its origins back to when Roger De Syres received a royal charter from King Henry III. for the weekly market in 1269.
Over the years this has grown into an annual fair.
“It’s a good place to laugh and play. I used to have about 60 horses.
“I used to have horses, but now I couldn’t look after them, but I love coming to the fair and seeing all my friends.
“Some of my colleagues are from Gosport, they come and see me every year, some of them are from Bournemouth, some from Southampton.”
The Wickham Horse Fair traces its origins back to when Roger De Syres received a royal charter from King Henry III. for the weekly market in 1269.
Over the years this has grown into an annual fair.
Members of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police Licensing Team spoke to local licensed premises to remind them that the event was taking place and that they could accommodate more customers.
Road closures mean all local businesses and pubs are closed today.
Wickham Square will be temporarily closed to traffic from 12pm on Sunday 19 May and will reopen on Tuesday 21 May at 10am.
The A334 is closed from Shell petrol station to Titchfield Lane due to the incident.
Today it will be closed until 20:00.
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A boy rides a horse at the annual fair Credit: Meon Valley Times
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Some rode in horse-drawn carriagesCredit: w8media
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The event was well attended despite it being a Monday morningCredit: Meon Valley Times
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People cheer as another pony is led down the roadCredit: w8media
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Clothing and other items were also on saleCredit: Meon Valley Times
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