Public thanked for Mop Fair support
MOP Fair organisers have praised the people of Tewkesbury for turning out in their droves in support of the town's historic event.
Thousands enjoyed the two-day annual street fair, which saw several town centre streets become a sea of colour thanks to dozens of illuminated rides and stalls.
After Tuesday's first night, organisers said they were delighted with how it had gone.
Stephen Rawlings is a committee member of the western section of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain, which organised the 402-year-old fair.
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He said: "I've been going for 20 years and I think that for a first night in that time, it was a record attendance.
"We had thousands of people. It was absolutely packed.
"It was nice to see people with smiling faces. I would like to thank the people of Tewkesbury for supporting the fair, the council for their help and Tewkesbury Fair Society too."
Angela Worrell, from Newtown, Tewkesbury, was among the crowds on the first night.
After taking her eight-year-old daughter Jessica and two of her friends to the fair, she said: "It was really good. It's the atmosphere that makes it and the fact that lots of local people are there.
"It's great how everybody gets together. The children loved it and were so excited."
The fair was granted a royal charter in 1610. It takes its name from the traditional employment year, from October to October, for farm workers and other craftsmen.
Staff attended, carrying an item signifying their trade, with unskilled workers carrying a mop head.
Tewkesbury Fair Society's vice-chairman, Steve Perry, said the event had brought the town alive once again.
"I know money is a bit tight but I think everybody went out to enjoy the fair and everything that goes with it," he said.
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