It was said unkindly but with a modicum of truth that the first Fenland Country Fair was organized on the back of a cigarette packet. John Plant and Malcolm Hall whose inspiration it was, decided that all you needed to have fun was a large field in a beautiful setting, a collection of stallholders and lots of nice things for visitors to do. Any problems that arose such as flooding toilets or water which leaked from the plastic lake stranding the fish could be solved with a little ingenuity as you went along. This worked well for many years and the result was one of the best and most popular country fairs in a rural calendar packed with such events. The Fenland was the one people wanted to attend for they liked the easy informality, the relaxed atmosphere and the rich blend of country craftsmen and sporting folk who informed and entertained at the same time.

The main ring hosts a rich variety of acts from Newfoundland dogs to quarter horses, packs of hounds, falcons and sheepdogs. The second ring echoes to the clopping of the hooves of giant heavy horses and the thunder of the carriage driving. Nearby the threshing tackle belches steam and dust, rare breeds of poultry squawk, lurchers run like the wind, terriers squabble while old and new friends of all ages mill gently round the site eating hot dogs, sucking ice creams or sampling a cool pint of Suffolk ale. Vintage cars and tractors wheeze and throb, building up a head of steam for the Grand Parade. Clay pigeons shatter, air rifles pop and gun dogs stride loftily through the throng. ‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it’, is a good motto and while the growing popularity of the show meant that the cigarette packet approach had to be abandoned in favour of more careful planning, the vital elements of ease and low profile management remained intact. People feel safe, unhurried and contented at the Fenland.

The public voted with its feet and whatever the weather a huge and loyal following turned up every Bank Holiday in August, many of them coming back for the second day. Now the Fair has spawned two more, one at Stradsett in Norfolk and another at Glemham in Suffolk. Both have made promising starts and there is every indication that given time they might rival the original Fenland in terms of visitor numbers. Fenland Fairs as now they are collectively known make a simple and honest statement about many of the country values that rural folk feel are being neglected by an urban government. As well as providing great dollops of fun for thousands of people they make a serious statement about many of the things we treasure. Long may they flourish.

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