Summercourt fair facts for kids

The Summercourt Fair is a super old and exciting event that happens every year in a village called Summercourt. This village is in Cornwall, United Kingdom, about five miles (8 km) south-east of Newquay. The fair takes place during the last week of September. It's one of the biggest fairs in Cornwall and has been around for over 800 years! Imagine, it started before many countries even existed.

History of the Fair

The Summercourt Fair has a long and interesting past. A historian named Charles Henderson studied the fair's history a long time ago. He discovered that the fair grew from an even older event called "The Long Fayre." This older fair was held in Bodmin and started way back in the 11th century.

Over time, the fair moved west to the St Enoder area. It was held there during the Early Middle Ages, first in a place called Penhale. Then, during the time of King Edward II (between 1307 and 1327), the fair finally moved to Summercourt, where it is still held today.

Old papers from Cornwall Council show that the fair's rules and history go back to at least 1234. The fair used to be held on September 14th. But in 1752, Britain changed its calendar to the Gregorian calendar. This change meant skipping eleven days, so the fair day moved to September 25th. In 1838, a writer named Davies Gilbert said that the Summercourt Fair was "the most important in Cornwall."

What Happens at the Fair Today?

Today, the Summercourt Fair usually starts on the third Thursday in September. The main market day is the following Monday. Besides the market, a big part of the fun is the funfair! This funfair is set up by travelling showmen from The Showmens Guild. David Rowland and Sons are the people who run the funfair.

In the past, exciting Cornish wrestling tournaments were also a big attraction at the fair. People would gather to watch wrestlers compete.

Summercourt Fair in Books and Songs

The Summercourt Fair has even appeared in creative works!

• The famous writer Arthur Quiller-Couch mentioned the fair in his book The Astonishing History of Troy Town, which he wrote in 1888.
• A musician from Newquay named Ruarri Joseph wrote a song called "Summer Court Fair - 1995." You can find this song on his first album, Tales of Grime and Grit.

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