The Stratford Mop

Traditionally farm workers, labourers, servants and some craftsmen would work for their employer from October to October – harvest to harvest. At the end of the employment they would attend the Mop Fair dressed in their Sunday best clothes and carrying an item signifying their trade and seek to be re-hired. A servant with no particular skills would carry a mop head - hence the phrase ‘Mop Fair’.

Stratford-upon-Avon Mop Fair started during the reign of Edward III (1327).

The Mop in recent times it is little more than a funfair. What makes it special though is that it takes over the centre of the town – with rides and roller coasters operating right outside the front door of Marks and Spencer’s.

Attendees come from a wide area and mix in with those doing their normal weekend shopping as well as those running the rides and stalls making for some interesting contrasts. Most of my images focus on the people but these sit within the cover pictures endeavouring to capture the energy and pace of the signature rides.