The fun fair is back in town, and for a few tokens, in a Covid-compliant environment; one can enjoy some fun on the dodgems, waltzer and merry-go-round.

The history of the traditional 'Rowland' Fair goes back many decades in Honiton; however the tradition of the annual fair goes back many centuries!

The right for a fair were first granted in 1221, when it was held on Allhallows Day (1 November) however; in 1247 the date of the fair was changed by King Henry III to St. Margaret's Day (20 July).

The fair used to be held on the first Tuesday on or after 19 July, until recently when the date was moved forward a week to accommodate school holidays. Next year, 2021, will mark the 800th anniversary of the Hot Pennies ceremony on the 27 July.

Yet, in Victorian times it was instead held on the first Wednesday after that date. Then it was a three-day event of amusements, feasting and drinking. On the Tuesday, the Town Crier (as today) carried the glove on a pole, decorated with flowers, and chanted the following well-known verse:

"Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!

No man can be arrested until it is taken down again."

The glove was then carried to, and placed outside, the old Kings Arms Inn where it would remain until the following night.

The Kings Arms was once the centre of the great cattle fair. On Wednesday night the glove would be paraded down to, and displayed at, the former White Lion Inn, for this was the site of the horse fair that took place on the Thursday.

On the Friday evening the Town Crier would go about the town ringing his bell signalling the end of the event.

The fun fair was once held, in what today is Fairfield Gardens and many locals can recall memories of all kinds of pastimes such as the helter skelter, the gondolas and the fair organ accompanied by nougat and gingerbread stalls as well as numerous side shows including fortune tellers, the wrestling ring and the boxing booth.

There was always a boxing booth at the old Honiton fair and one in particular was run by Sam McKeowen who was, himself, a reputable fighter.

The boxers, belonging to the booth, would wait for a member of the crowd to challenge them in the ring. Many famous boxers passed through the boxing booth at Honiton fair including Welsh Light-Heavyweight Champion Gipsy Daniels who, by the 1930s, had been with the McKeowens for many years.

Prospective challengers were offered a purse of 30 shillings, if they could go three rounds with the champ! One story recounted when Daniels was challenged by a man in the crowd, who "looked to be no more than a middleweight".

The challenge was accepted and keen onlookers paid their shilling to watch the fight. The challenger was none other than a young fighter from Bournemouth called Freddie Mills. Mills didn't win the purse but Sam Mckeowen was apparently impressed with Freddie and for some time he travelled with the booth.

Freddie would go on to win the World Championship in 1948.

The McKeowen booth continued as the last of it kind until Sam's widow Esther died aged 101 in 1999. Whilst modern times have put an end to the boxing and wrestling the fun fair continues on and has been held in many different locations around the town since then including Dowell Street, Ottery Moor Lane and the former parade ground at Heathpark