Priddy Fair: horses need passports too
Priddy fair is a sheep- and horse-buying event that takes place every August in the Mendip hills in Somerset. It’s been going every year since 1348 and has only been cancelled twice – in 2001 and 2007, because of foot-and-mouth disease.
It's a great day out even if you’re not buying animals (apart from sheep and horses there’s also rabbits, cockerels and dogs on offer). There’s a fairground, stalls selling gypsy paraphernalia, food (whole pigs being roasted), lots of cider and a chance to learn a country skill such as dry-stone walling. But what’s most interesting is the people there – an assortment of farmers, tourists, locals and – best of all – gypsies, looking as if they’re on a night out on the town, not a day spent in muddy fields in Somerset.