S t a p l e
Village and civil parish in East Kent
Staple Country Fayre
Sunday 22nd June 2025 11:00 - 5:00pm
For hundreds of years a fair was held twice-yearly in Staple, on 28th December and on 25th July, offering 'toys and pedlary'.
Profits from the December Fayre in 1524 amounted to six shillings and eight pence and were received by one Clement Roberth of Wingham.
The winter fair was held on Childermas (the fourth day of Christmastide), a feast day where no labour was performed and thus well suited to the event. Edward Hasted mentions that fairs were held on 25 July, the feast day of St James, patron saint of labourers.
Today’s Staple Country Fayres are an annual event staged by a group of volunteers; and held on the next to last Sunday in June.
There have been village fairs in Staple for hundreds of years, but the fair in its current format has been staged every year since 1990.
The Staple Country Fayre's aims are two-fold: To promote a sense of community /promote social cohesion - and to raise funds for the village's various clubs, groups and organisations (such as Staple Parent & Toddler Group, Staple Woodland Trust etc).
The Staple Country & Craft Fayre comprises several separate themes:
The preservation of traditional rustic crafts, skills and attractions:
To this end, the fayre features craftspersons such as wood turners, leather workers, trug makers, corn dolly makers etc; and includes attractions such as Maypole dancing, stilt-walking, juggling etc.
A traditional village fair:
Traditional village fair attractions are always included; such as bowl a pig, magic shows, a coconut shy, a barrow of booze, stalls selling homemade items, a cake stall, stationary engines, vintage tractors, a beer tent and a refreshment hall.
Slightly less traditional fair attractions:
To keep the event popular / relevant; the fayre's various elements aren't limited to 'olde worlde' / traditional attractions. Examples of more up-to-date attractions include Classic Cars, Iconic Motorcycles, a Nearly New stall, a Pimm's Bar, Barbecue and Candy Floss.
All the Fun of The Fair Attractions:
In recent years The Staple Country & Craft Fayres have included Strolling Clowns, Roundabouts, a Bouncy Castle, Beat The Goalie etc.
Misc:
The entrance to the Fayre (the Village Hall's entrance road) is the location for the annual display of Military Vehicles.
Music In The Arena:
Each year the event's first attraction is live music. (With a second set later in the day). There have been various bands over the years; but the popularity of the 2017 band was such that they were invited back for all subsequent fayres’ and became the official ‘house band’.
The Arena:
The arena is used for the presentation of prizes, an egg-throwing competition, the live music spots, a parade of classic cars - and the day's main attractions. (These have included Dog & Duck Displays,
Strongman Acts, Birds of Prey, Chainsaw Carving etc).
For more information on the Staple Country Fayre visit the Fayre's web site at: https://www.staple-countryfayre.com
