Out in the Fields: Past the Priory to the Great Fair at Stourbridge

Tue 10 February

Zoom Video Conferencing

Our February talk will be given on Zoom by Honor Ridout on the subject of Stourbridge Fair.

The Stourbridge Fair, out on the Cambridge boundary, was the great event of the year for Cambridge folk and for others, over hundreds of years. Across the harvested fields this valuable market sprang up each September bringing people and goods from far and wide, with the exchange of thousands of pounds in cash and promises. The little community at Barnwell, opposite the old Priory gate, was a cente of hospitality for the travellers, as well as storage for the great booths that had to be put up along the main streets of the Fair.

"It was when I became Tourist Officer for Cambridge City Council that I applied my love of history to the city and its past both town and gown. I qualified as a tour guide and in later years also taught evening classes on Cambridge and other history subjects. I was particularly interested in finding out about the Stourbridge Fair, mentioned in all the histories but without much detail. When the friends of the Leper Chapel decided to celebrate the Fair each September, I joined in, to give short talks about it."

This talk takes place on Zoom. Details will be sent to our Mailing List the day before the talk. Sign up at https://millroadhistory.org.uk/mailing-list/