Warwick's historic Mop Fair cancelled

Warwick's historic Mop Fair has been cancelled this year.

The decision has been made by Warwick District Council and Wilson’s Amusements Ltd due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

However, alternative plans are being put in place to ensure that an important part of the town’s history and tradition is maintained.

Started as a hiring fair for local labourers and employers, the Warwick Mop fair and runaway Mop have been held on consecutive Fridays and Saturdays in October for more than 700 years.

For the event to take place a Mop Charter is signed between the Council and the Mop organisers every ten years, which is read aloud to mark the fair’s opening by the Mayor of Warwick supported by the Town Crier.

To keep this old tradition alive and in line with government guidelines Warwick District Council’s Events Team and Wilson’s Amusements Ltd are finalising details for a charter reading to take place in the town centre later this month.

Although this year's event has been cancelled Wilson’s Amusements Ltd are planning for a street fair to take place in Warwick in late March 2021, subject to the latest public health restrictions.

Cllr Richard Hales, Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for business and finance, said: “The Warwick Mop is arguably the town’s oldest tradition, and is part of our history.

"We therefore could not envisage, not marking the occasion in 2020 despite the ongoing pandemic.

"We are now working with Wilson’s to organise a much smaller and safe event to honour the ancient charter.”