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There has been a fair at Turton for many years. Its origins are unknown and lost in time though one of the earliest references was from 1789 when Sheldrake, in his poem, stated that the fair was already well established and marked by a two day holiday in the area. One 1851 writer claimed that the fair went back to 1333 though the basis of that claim is not known but by 1851 it was described as one of the most important fairs held in Lancashire.
It would seem that Turton Fair had developed over many years from need. It was not a show but a naturally developing market and fair. There were no prizes or awards for quality. It was a meeting for sale, display and enjoyment. Travellers came from a wide area and brought their horses.
After the railway line from Bolton to Blackburn was fully opened in 1848, special trains were put on to move the people to the fair. It is interesting that the company gave an assurance to James Kay, the owner of Turton Tower, that no station would be built within 300 yards of his house and that a large ornamental bridge would be built to carry the continuation of his drive over the line. It was probably a wise move since we have reports from1848 that an estimated 6000 people attended the fair and in 1891 that special trains were run to Turton station from Bolton and Blackburn for 4000 persons but many more attended on foot. It was said that the High Street at Chapeltown was impassible due to the crowds.
The fair was held, in Chapeltown, on the field next to St Bartolomew's Chapel which was on the site of the present St Anne church. The graveyard has since been extended into the original field but the football field next door was also used. The football field has, I understand, the distinction of being the oldest continuously used football ground in the country. As well as the field, stalls were also erected all along High Street. Local householders sold from their doors and rented out space to traders from or in front of their houses.
Traditionally the fair had been held on St Bartolomew's Day, which was the 24th August, but after the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar it appears to have moved the 11 days to September 4th and 5th .
Local mills gave the workers a two day holiday so that they could attend
The fair was so important in the lives of the local people that there is a report that villagers recorded their date of birth in terms of weeks before or after the fair.
There appears to be constant difficulties with policing the fair and disapproval from local dignitaries. The local authorities were concerned about conduct and there were many reports of illegal, unfair or unfortunate behaviour. However, in 1901 Turton District Council decided that they did not have the authority to impose conditions on the fair.
In the early 20th century the fair declined rapidly to the extent the by 1911 there were clear signs of difficulty. There were a number of possible reasons for the decline. A livestock auction had been developed by James Kay on an adjacent site. There were attractions elsewhere and the railway and improved communications generally made trips to Blackpool, Southport and the Wirral possible for many people. Additionally a steady imposition of controls and the licensing of beer led to the fair becoming less profitable for traders. The organizers tried to move with the times and introduced fell racing and hounds using the Grasmere Games as a model but to no avail. The end came in 1936 and, although there was an attempt to revive the fair in 1950s, has not been held consistently since that time.
It would seem that Turton Fair had developed over many years from need. It was not a show but a naturally developing market and fair. There were no prizes or awards for quality. It was a meeting for sale, display and enjoyment. Travellers came from a wide area and brought their horses.
After the railway line from Bolton to Blackburn was fully opened in 1848, special trains were put on to move the people to the fair. It is interesting that the company gave an assurance to James Kay, the owner of Turton Tower, that no station would be built within 300 yards of his house and that a large ornamental bridge would be built to carry the continuation of his drive over the line. It was probably a wise move since we have reports from1848 that an estimated 6000 people attended the fair and in 1891 that special trains were run to Turton station from Bolton and Blackburn for 4000 persons but many more attended on foot. It was said that the High Street at Chapeltown was impassible due to the crowds.
The fair was held, in Chapeltown, on the field next to St Bartolomew's Chapel which was on the site of the present St Anne church. The graveyard has since been extended into the original field but the football field next door was also used. The football field has, I understand, the distinction of being the oldest continuously used football ground in the country. As well as the field, stalls were also erected all along High Street. Local householders sold from their doors and rented out space to traders from or in front of their houses.
Traditionally the fair had been held on St Bartolomew's Day, which was the 24th August, but after the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar it appears to have moved the 11 days to September 4th and 5th .
Local mills gave the workers a two day holiday so that they could attend
The fair was so important in the lives of the local people that there is a report that villagers recorded their date of birth in terms of weeks before or after the fair.
There appears to be constant difficulties with policing the fair and disapproval from local dignitaries. The local authorities were concerned about conduct and there were many reports of illegal, unfair or unfortunate behaviour. However, in 1901 Turton District Council decided that they did not have the authority to impose conditions on the fair.
In the early 20th century the fair declined rapidly to the extent the by 1911 there were clear signs of difficulty. There were a number of possible reasons for the decline. A livestock auction had been developed by James Kay on an adjacent site. There were attractions elsewhere and the railway and improved communications generally made trips to Blackpool, Southport and the Wirral possible for many people. Additionally a steady imposition of controls and the licensing of beer led to the fair becoming less profitable for traders. The organizers tried to move with the times and introduced fell racing and hounds using the Grasmere Games as a model but to no avail. The end came in 1936 and, although there was an attempt to revive the fair in 1950s, has not been held consistently since that time.
References William Sheldrake Alec and Pat Bagley John Marshall