What's On
Events and Attractions
Widecombe Fair 2024 saw a familiar line-up of some old favourites, with a sprinkling of all new special events that we were very excited to introduce. A full day of events included sheep, horse and cattle judging, terrier racing, the fearful Uncle Tom Cobley race and finally the epic Tug-o’-War tournament to round things off. As always at the Fair, Uncle Tom Cobley on his grey mare and his merry entourage dressed in their usual rag-and-bone tweeds were a common sight.
Last year Spike Milton’s Lumberjack Show was such a hit we were delighted to welcome them back this year. Spike and his team demonstrated their sawmill skills and introduced visitors to the world of Timbersports, from competitive wood chopping to the big noisy ‘hot saw’.
Other new features for this year included the Moretonhampstead & District Motor Cycle Club who showed off their formidable trial and scrambling skills; and The Wessex Warbow Society who demonstrated shooting, bow making, fletching, and arrow smithing, all as it was done in the Middle Ages.
Thanks once again to The Dartmoor Hill Pony Display Team, Canine Capers Dog Agility Display and the ever-popular Terrier Racing for their continued entertainment at the Fair! The Uncle Tom Cobley Downhill Race was a particularly damp and boggy affair this year, though some would say that’s exactly how it should be. Then the Bale Tossing competition followed by the Tug-O'-War rounded off the day, all enjoyed with the accompaniment of some great musicians, on the Fair Field, down on the Village Green and in the garden at the Rugglestone Inn.
Music
The ever-popular ‘Folk at the Fair’ returned with great local artists playing all day in the main beer tent, with additional bands playing in the garden at the Rugglestone Inn as well as on the Village Green. A fantastic accompanying soundtrack to the day.
Food and drink
There’s always plenty to eat, with plenty of variety, at the Fair. In the village there’s The Rugglestone, The Old Inn, and The Cafe on the Green serving up delicious fare, and in the field was a great range of local food producers from all over Devon, offering everything from hog roast to Thai cuisine.
rural pursuits & agriculture
With its roots set firmly in the agricultural traditions of Dartmoor, Widecombe Fair remains to this day true to its origins.
From its beginnings as a popular Fair, dealing mainly in local breeds of cattle, sheep, ponies and the odd intransigent spouse, it’s become over the years a showcase for the cream of locally-bred Dartmoor stock, as well as being the premier event of the moorland social calendar.
A great range of interesting and amusing rural pastimes were available to participate in, or just witness, such as the inimitable Dartmoor Border Morris team, Bale-Tossing and the famous Uncle Tom Cobley Downhill Race (not for the faint-hearted!).
arts & crafts
We’ve always been keen to promote local craftsmen and women at the Fair, both those pursuing a more traditional line, as well as those more contemporary, from photographers, jewellers and potters, those working with leather, wool, wood, slate and so on, through to thatchers, bakers and wheelwrights. This year the Devon Guild of Craftsmen were back on the Green exhibiting, demonstrating and providing perhaps the odd early Christmas present!
