The eXmoor Files

By PaulaK

79: "What sort of cheese was that?"

Southam Mop Fair dates back to 1227 after King Henry III granted Southam a Charter, making it a town and allowing four market fairs and weekly markets. Farmers, tradesmen and householders gathered here to employ their servants for the coming year. It was customary for those looking for work to display an item which showed their trade. Waggoners wore whipcord in their hats, a knot of horse hair indicated a groom, while more lowly workers wore a piece of mop, which is where the mop fair name comes from.

Thank you very much for your captions yesterday - made me smile :-)

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