AN 800-year-old event, which attracts thousands of visitors and travellers each year, is back on Saturday, May 20.

Wickham Square will be closed from midday on Friday, May 19 in preparation for the traditional Horse Fair which sees members of the travelling community travel to the village to sell and race ponies and horses.

The square will then re-open on Saturday evening or Sunday morning after the clean-up.

Wickham Horse Fair returned with its market, fun fair and show of horses last year after a two-year break amid the pandemic.

READ MORE: No arrests made at Wickham Horse Fair as event runs 'peacefully'

Wickham Parish Council clerk, Nicki Oliver, said: “Everyone is well used to the fair but we’re hoping that the fun fair will be bigger and better this year to attract more people.

“The fair visitors are delighted that it’s back in full swing. It’s an interesting event to see all the ponies in their fineries. We have a police presence here so it is usually pretty calm.

“It starts at 6am so people should aim to get here early and there’s not a lot of parking so getting the bus would be the best option.”

Anyone who needs access to and from the village day and would like to park in the recreation ground car park should contact Nicki on 01329835019.

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On Saturday, there will be no access to and from houses between Buddens Road and Tanfield Lane.

Winchester Road and Tanfield Lane will be blocked while the horses are running and Mayles Lane will be closed to through traffic. Residents affected should have received letters from Winchester City Council.

Wickham Parish Council posted on Facebook: “The fair is part of Wickham’s history and is always worth a visit. Some of the businesses in The Square will be open this year and don’t forget to check out the funfair.”

The event is always held on May 20, except if it falls on a Sunday. 

No arrests were made last year, despite the event’s controversial history with six people being arrested in 2014 after a fight broke out.

Market organiser Bernice Walls said: "The event has run trouble-free for the past 25 years. The event is unusual, exciting and very well run by the police. It is a great day out.

"The fun fair is set up especially for the people of Wickham and works with local businesses and the police to try to avoid any disruption to the local residents.

"The event is steeped in history. Funfair attractions have attended Wickham Square for many generations. The fair was originally a place once a year to hire staff to work on local farms, to show off and sell animals. Even in those early days there was always a form of funfair to make the day special."

Bernice said visitors can expect a bigger funfair this year with the attraction being organised by her daughter and her partner. Meanwhile, the market will stock items such as clothing, china, saddlery, bathroom mats, children's clothes, shoes and bags.

The street market is open 7am-4pm and the funfair will run from 11am until early evening.