In the run up to Fair 2012 I will leave some notes about the history of the Ditchling Fair on the website. I am very grateful to Tom Dufty and Janet Cragg of the History group for their help and research.

The main reason for these little snippets of history is to get us all excited about the Ditchling Fair 2012 but more importantly engaged in the village community. Although we live today in a Global Village with access to internet and Facebook friends in India and Peru, there nothing better than walking in Ditchling High Street on Sunday morning, looking up at the South Downs and seeing friendly faces. It does not get better than that!

Now... In 1312 Edward II granted John de Warenne, Lord of the Manor a charter to hold fairs on his estates at Reigate, Cuckfield, Brighton, Hurstpierpoint, Westmeston and Portslade "and one other market each week on Tuesday at his Manor of Dychenyng in the same county and one fair at the same each year for three days duration ( in the eve and in the day and in the morrow of St Margaret the Virgin)..."

Ditchling was by no means the first in Sussex to have a royal charter. The earliest were in the 11th century and were given to places on or near the coast or on important trading rivers, including Chichester, Arundel, Hastings, Rye, Lewes and Pevensey.

The word Fair derives from the Latin word 'Feria' which means Festival or Holiday. Everybody liked a free day with organised entertainment to go with it. Villages were self-contained communities in those days and everybody knew each other. Dozens would have worked together either for the Lord of the Manor, in the fields or in the same trades. Women would have shared news and household tasks, helped deliver babies and took care of elderly, sick and infirm neighbors.

Not much has changed? Let us know!

The Fair Club will have meetings in the White Horse and you are welcome to come along and volunteer. There are a million jobs to do so we need you hands and brains – and anything in between-.

Jolan van Herwaarden Chair of the Fair 2012