Sidbury’s traditional Fair begins on Saturday, September 9 and runs until Sunday 17, with a week of entertainment and activities.

The village was granted a charter to hold a three-day fair in 1291 by Edward I, probably because Sidbury was already a place of pilgrimage. The fair would give villagers the chance to sell livestock and garden produce.

The charter said there could be ‘merrymaking’ at the fair, but no-one was to be a nuisance.

Over the years Sidbury Fair has extended to a week of events, giving local clubs and other organisations the chance to raise funds.

The fair begins on Saturday morning with people bringing their scarecrow figures to the Parish Room between 10am and noon, before they are put in place around the village. This year’s theme is Royals and Rock Stars, and there are prizes for the best creations by adults, and by children under 16.

Saturday also sees a Country Clay Shoot for all abilities at White Cross, East Hill, from 11am until 4pm.

On Sunday 10 there will be a Fun Run and Walk with the choice of a long or short route. The route is suitable for all abilities and is pushchair friendly, although there will be more challenging runs for children and adults. Participants register in Sidbury Parish Room from 10.30am for an 11.30am start. Before the run there will be a short informal church service in St Giles’ Church grounds.

Entry fees for the run/walk are £8 for adults and £5 for ages seven to 17 – under-sevens are free. Each paying entry finisher will receive an Ark Pottery bow – these, and the prizes, will be given out in Weir Field from 12.30pm. This will be followed by a bar and barbecue.

On Monday 11 there will be a quiz evening at the Red Lion at 7.30pm, with proceeds going to Vranch House in Exeter. The cost is £5 per team and tables must be booked by calling 01395 597313.

Tuesday sees the traditional Glove Ceremony at noon, followed by the traditional throwing of hot (warm!) pennies for Sidbury School children to collect. That evening there will be bingo at the Red Lion, starting at 7.30pm.

The entries in the children’s picture competition will be on display in the village hall. The competition is open to all children in the parish, with the theme of Flowers. The entries in the adults’ and children’s photography competition will be displayed in the church.

The Red Lion is holding a skittles challenge at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13th, for all abilities, with a bottle of bubbly for the winner.

Saturday 16 is Sidbury Fair Day with stalls selling local produce and goods in the churchyard. In the Weir Field there will be a craft fair and a traditional auction of livestock, local produce, meat and other items staring at 1pm. There will be a horticultural show in a marquee, with the produce auctioned off if not taken away by its owners.

There will be an archive photo exhibition in St Giles’ Church, showing village life in past years, and a smaller exhibition charting the history of Sidbury Fair from its medieval origins to the present day.

There will be music in the church throughout the day, tours of the bell tower and the chance to try ringing the bells. Sidbury Art Group will have a display in the church.

Sidmouth Herald: Dog show at Sidbury Fair

Other Fair Day attractions include miniature Shetland rescue ponies, Sidbury Bearhouse alpacas and activities for children. A fun dog show will take place after the auction, with a bar and barbecue and the Jordan Cross memorial duck race. Refreshments will be available in the village hall all day.

On Sunday 17 there is the chance to join a walk to Sidbury Castle Hillfort, from 2pm until 3.30pm. This is free, but with donations invited to Sidbury Fair Week.

In the evening Sidbury Fair week ends with a Harvest Thanksgiving service in the church at 7.30pm followed by light refreshments.