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Rural Fairs Collection

Step back in time and experience the charm of rural fairs

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: Westerham Hill Horse Show Mrs Raymond Phillips 1928 9 July 1926

Westerham Hill Horse Show Mrs Raymond Phillips 1928 9 July 1926

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. A milk float from the The Co-operative Group

The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. A milk float from the The Co-operative Group, a Co-operative Wholesale Society ( CWS ). 1939

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: Wilton May Fair Calves 14 May 1920

Wilton May Fair Calves 14 May 1920

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: Wilton May Fair Sheep auction 14 May 1920

Wilton May Fair Sheep auction 14 May 1920

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: Wilton May Fair Land girls 14 May 1920

Wilton May Fair Land girls 14 May 1920

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: Westerham Hill Horse Show Mrs Raymond Phillips and Mr A E Wilson ( Vice Chairman

Westerham Hill Horse Show Mrs Raymond Phillips and Mr A E Wilson ( Vice Chairman ) 1928 9 July 1926

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: Oxted Godstone and East Surrey Show at Oxted E Foster, Victoria Cross with the

Oxted Godstone and East Surrey Show at Oxted E Foster, Victoria Cross with the 1st prize winning shire Charlie 1929 9 July 1926

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: Westerham Hill Horse Show Mrs P Lindsay Stewart with her Hack Bran Pie

Westerham Hill Horse Show Mrs P Lindsay Stewart with her Hack Bran Pie and E Stevens ( Hurst Lodge, Cowley Road, Brighton ), The hornblower 1928 9 July 1926

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: Westerham Hill Horse Show Mr Arthur Collins ( President ), Miss Collins, Miss

Westerham Hill Horse Show Mr Arthur Collins ( President ), Miss Collins, Miss Eileen Bennett and Mr Lang Coath ( Town Cleric of Swansea ) 1928 9 July 1926

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. A horse and cart. 1939

The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. A horse and cart. 1939

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. The Gillingham Swimming Club float showing of

The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. The Gillingham Swimming Club float showing of their silverware. 1939

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. Flower sellers. 1939

The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. Flower sellers. 1939

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: Lady Wood speaking at the Mottingham mid summer fair in Kent. 12 June 1939

Lady Wood speaking at the Mottingham mid summer fair in Kent. 12 June 1939

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: The Mottingham Midsummer Fair in Kent. 1939

The Mottingham Midsummer Fair in Kent. 1939

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: A sheep sale in Gloucester. 10 June 1938

A sheep sale in Gloucester. 10 June 1938

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. Womens club float. 1939

The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. Womens club float. 1939

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: Sheep sale in Maidstone, Kent. 1936

Sheep sale in Maidstone, Kent. 1936

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. The Mayor of Newnham crowns the carnival queen

The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. The Mayor of Newnham crowns the carnival queen Miss Eileen Jerry. 1939

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. A nurses float. 1939

The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. A nurses float. 1939

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. A Co-operative Wholesale Society tableau advertising

The Gillingham Carnival in Kent. A Co-operative Wholesale Society tableau advertising coal. 1939

Background imageRural Fairs Collection: Fair ground game at the Marl Lodge Fete in Bexley, London. 1939

Fair ground game at the Marl Lodge Fete in Bexley, London. 1939



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Step back in time and experience the charm of rural fairs. From the Westerham Hill Horse Show in 1928, where Mrs Raymond Phillips showcased her equestrian skills, to the Wilton May Fair in 1920, with its lively auctions of calves and sheep. The fair also celebrated the hard work of land girls who played a vital role during that era. The Oxted Godstone and East Surrey Show at Oxted brought together farmers like E Foster, Victoria Cross recipient, showcasing their prized livestock. Meanwhile, at the Westerham Hill Horse Show, Mrs P Lindsay Stewart proudly presented her magnificent hack named Bran Pie. Presided over by Mr Arthur Collins as President and attended by Miss Collins and Miss Wilson, this horse show was a true spectacle. And let's not forget about Maidstone's sheep sale in 1936 or Gillingham Carnival in Kent - both events capturing the essence of rural life. In Gillingham Carnival floats adorned with vibrant decorations paraded through town streets while members of Gillingham Swimming Club proudly displayed their talents on a float. These fairs were more than just entertainment; they were an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate their agricultural heritage. So take a step back into history and immerse yourself in these snapshots from rural fairs - where tradition met excitement and community spirit thrived.