Exeter Summer Festival ~Part One :The Lammas Fair

Each year,the City of Exeter upholds the tradition of celebrating the Lammas Fair.
The annual ceremony of the Proclamation of the Lammas Fair, dates back more than 900 years!

I went along this morning, to watch this fascinating and colourful piece of tradition.

The Mayor departs from the Civic Centre, in the former Sheriff's coach,with a procession of school children, clad in period costume.They process to the Guildhall (which , incidentally, is one of the oldest in the country).

Leading the procession is the Mace Sergeant ...it is his very important role to carry the Lammas Fair Glove!

The Lammas Fair Glove was a sign of Royal protection of the peace. The glove is a large leather stuffed glove,attached to a long pole and decorated with ribbons and a garland of flowers.

After the declaration which declared the fair open, it was the hoisting of the glove from the verandah of the Guildhall .

There were many onlookers!

I then made my way to the Cathedral Green ;-)