Tewkesbury Fair and Mop Fair white plaque

This white commemorative plaque records: Probably the site of the first recorded Fair held in Tewkesbury granted by King John in 1199. Further charters followed and by 1790 the Town was entitled to seven annual fairs. These original seasonal Fairs were Hiring Fairs where labourers found employment. The present Mop Fair is the sole survivor, granted a charter by James I in 1609, stating that a Fair be held on the Feast of St Michael in September. In 1752 the county adopted the Gregorian calendar forcing the date of the Fair to change to October 10th, still used today. Now the largest srteet fair in Gloucestershire. Recorded plaque organisation: Tewkesbury Civic Society.

Tewkesbury Fair, originally a Hiring Fair for laborers, was granted by King John in 1199 and has evolved into the Mop Fair, now the largest street fair in Gloucestershire, continuing a tradition of seasonal markets that were crucial for local employment and commerce.