Midsummer Fair.

Historic Cambridge Fair, dates back from the Middle Ages when a Charter was granted in 1211 by King John, with the revenue going to the Priory of Barnwell. It was confirmed in 1229 by King Henry III. In the 16th century the council and Mayor acquired the rights for the fair, but the University Proctors had the right to search the fair for beggars, vagrants and lewd women. For some reason the council objected to the search for lewd women! It was commonly known as the Pot Fair, due to the china stalls and originally traded horses and cattle. At that time it was held on Stourbridge Common, further along the river, but now on Midsummer Common it is a pleasure Fair with some stalls, and to hire a space you have to be a member of The Showmans Guild, and all equipment is tested yearly. As a youngster I vividly remember seeing the side shows with dancing girls, the bearded lady, the goat with two heads and the challenges outside the boxing booths which were usually set up, but they are no more. Nowadays the rides are fast and furious, but I have happy memories of the magic of the not so long ago past.