In 1647, the Survey of Henfield recorded two annual Fairs, taking place in the village and on Henfield Common. These were turbulent times in England with civil wars raging between the King’s loyalists and Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentary Roundheads – by 1651 King Charles II had to flee for his life cross country to Shoreham, thence to France.
Through all these times, tiny rural Henfield continued to celebrate village Fairs up to around 1830. Henry de Candole’s ‘Story of Henfield’ also describes a ‘White Hart Club Day’ when the High Street was filled with a lively Fair, and Pillory Green, once next to Cagefoot Lane, was also a site for annual fairs.
It is on our beautiful Henfield Common where a Fair has lasted in one form or another down the years. Henfield Parish Council used to organise this event in partnership with the BP Guild, WI and other local organisations - a huge task needing good teamwork with all the major partners – all those people must be thanked for carrying this tradition. This year some people met informally to talk about bringing back our Common Fair once more, and it’s clear that there is great enthusiasm for coming back together to celebrate, show our cakes, jams, flowers, art and veg, see animal shows, listen to music, share delicious food, and enjoy the traditional entertainments of a Fair as a community. Funding is the crux of the matter, and work is taking place on this.
We have been talking to all those previous organisers, thank you to all who’ve talked to us and given their strong support. More information will come, but for now keep 19th July 2025 in mind, consider a winter craft project (soft material or hard), taking some lovely photos, practising your lemon drizzle…
Any enquiries please send to henfieldcommonsummerfair@outlook.com or call 07786 390448.
Andrea May & Sarah Witten