Fairs

 

Shurton Fair on September 25th was a favourite fixture known to a wide district,  All of our people who could do so journeyed thither either in farm wagons, other kinds of horse power, or on their own sturdy legs.  This fair was formerly a noted market for clothing, rolls of cloth from Somerset and Wilts and many household requisites which could there be seen in greater variety than at home.  Many horses also changed hands, some good but certainly many indifferent, the peculiar faults and failings of the latter kind becoming painfully apparent in following days.

Somewhere during the summer came the day of Blandford Races, mentioned here because of a bitter and long standing feud which would boil up on that day between the men of that town and those of Sturminster.  I will not attempt to suggest how such strained relations came about but I know that the one set bestowed on the other the name of ‘Sturminster Ashers’ and allusion to the long ‘ground ash’ sticks which formed the favourite weapons of the men from the smaller town. 

Like the Montagues and Capulets of Shakespeare’s play who ‘bit their thumbs’ at each other as a gage of battle The Blandford men employed the word ‘Asher’ as an effective challenge which seldom failed to bring on an engagements.  So it came to pass that, after the races, rival champions hurled themselves at each other in single combat after which a general melee would ensue.

 Even when the exhausted ashers were minded to set off on their homeward journey there were still waylayings and ambushes arranged to speed the departing guests.  To be perfectly fair it must be said that when the Pa men visited a Sturminster festivity the same compliments were faithfully returned when probably any inequalities of fortune, left over from former tournaments, were adjusted with interest to boot.

The Blandford Races were held form many years on the natural course which exists 2 miles beyond the town.  By the year 1850 or so the meetings had gained an ill reputation for disorder and questionable doings, In about the year mentioned they came to an end, unwept and unsung.

One well authenticated encounter may be recorded.  The Sturminster Champion , having engaged the leader of the opposite part, set about his opponent to such purpose that the latter was picked up in a parlous state.  Then for several mornings the mail cart driver was anxiously awaited for news of the injured many, the Sturminster Champion being all prepared to push off to Newfoundland if the news proved unfavourable.  Fortunately the defeated one recovered and presumably lived to fight another day.

Pack Monday fair held at Sherborne was another popular event.  Not so easily accessible on account of the greater distance.  On that Monday night the tenor bell of the church commenced to ring a curfew, mournful sound, presage of the coming dark evenings of winter.

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