Village history and tradition was again kept alive as the sun shone on Greenfield’s ancient Maundy Thursday ‘fair.’
The market at Road End was reputedly mentioned in the Magna Carta.
Legend has it the 1215 document – signed by King John at Runnymede – decrees at least one stall must open on Maundy Thursday every year.
If not, the privilege provided by Magna Carta would cease and an Act of Parliament would be required to re-start what was originally known as a ‘chartered pot fair’.
There have been times when the gathering at the junction of Chew Valley Road and Kinders Lane has come close to extinction
When tradition was again threatened in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, Greenfield greengrocer, Eric Ashworth, said it with flowers to ensure the fair survived.
While not as busy as in its heyday, Road End Fair continues to be a major part of Greenfield’s Easter tradition.
And fine weather ensured a good number of stallholders, all raising funds for worthy causes including: Epilepsy Research UK, Francis House Children’s Hospice, St Mary’s Church, Greenfield, Greenfield Whit Walks and Delph Church.
Please support if you can and help keep a Saddleworth tradition alive. Stalls will be open until at least 12 noon.
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