Pilgrimage and the Fair
The Old Fair of Abinger has its origins in the churchyard fairs of the Middle Ages. St James’ Church at Abinger Common was one of the main halting places for pilgrims as they wended their way along the ancient tracks of the North Downs to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket at Canterbury. It was also used by those undertaking the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain where the body of St. James – to whom the church had been dedicated in the 13th century – was entombed.
The travellers would be fed, watered and entertained by the villagers with minstrels and merriment and plays would be performed to return the hospitality. These fairs were to evolve much later into an annual event which was held in the village each July to celebrate the Feast of St. James and which continued into the 1930s.
20th Century Fairs
The centrepiece for these activities over the hundreds of years was, and remains, the church of St James in Abinger Common. The peace of this church was shattered one Summer’s morning in 1944 when a flying bomb scored a direct hit. The Rector at the time was inspired to revive the concept of the churchyard fair and to keep the mediaeval style to assist in raising funds for the church’s restoration.
The first such fair took place in 1956 and the tradition has been continued for over fifty years. A proportion of the monies generated still contribute to the upkeep of this magnificent church while substantial payments are made to a number of charities and various local amenities.
adapted from Russell Gardner
We hope to publish more on the recent history of the fair in the near future – note that no timescale has been promised!
More on the History of the fair here
And you can learn more about St James’s church and its history here: History of the church