THERE was food, music and merriment at the 30th anniversary of a Hampshire town's tradition.
Romsey's Beggars Fair started in 1993 and has been a staple of the town ever since.
Starting out with just a handful of performers, the Cornmarket crowd sat on straw bales in front of a Happy Shopper lorry used as the main stage, a contrast to this year which had outdoor stages, 24 venues and more than 80 bands.
The 30th annual free community festival is run entirely by a team of volunteers, adhering to the original goals of the first organisers in 1993 “to create a new tradition for Romsey, involving musicians, dancers, entertainers and above all audience”.
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Thousands of people enjoyed the entertainment at venues across the town including Romsey Abbey, United Reform Church, War Memorial Park, the Cornmarket, The Hundred and by the statue of Lord Palmerston.
@hampshire_chronicle Romsey Beggars Fair 2024
♬ original sound - Hampshire Chronicle
Local favourites included the Michelmersh Silver Band, Romsey Old Cadets and Romsey Male Voice Choir.
Beggars Fair chairman David Vane said: “It has been a really good day. All the areas have just been packed all day long, it had been really good. We've had lots of different music, everyone seems to be very happy. The War Memorial Park has been a real success, the team has done an excellent job getting all the traders down here. Outreach Radio has been really good because they're presenting on the stage and they are broadcasting live. They're the only local community radio left.
“Last year we reckon we had about 6,500 people here, I think it will be at least the same, if not more this year. There has been a constant flow of people.”
The sponsors were Hayes Music, who supply and repair musical instruments and accessories, Parker Bullen Solicitors, Solent Plastics, The Mortgage Stop and Croudace Homes. They also had grants from Test Valley Borough Council and Romsey Town Council.
To find out more about sponsoring the event, visit beggarsfair.org.uk/contact/.
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