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Time Honoured Mop Fair at Stratford-on-Avon
Hungry punters marvel at a meaty Midlands tradition as the 'Mop' rolls into town.
Overview
The star attraction of Stratford's annual Mop fair was the spectacular oxen spit-roast, a meaty marvel which rather hogs the limelight in this Gaumont Graphic newsreel. The cameraman was clearly mesmerised by the spinning steaming meat, expertly carved and plated-up for a hungry crowd. Vegetarians might prefer the final shot of punters enjoying traditional rides in the tightly-packed town centre.
Dating back to the 1300s, the 'Mop' was originally a hiring fair, where farm-hands and domestic labourers could look for work. Now a typical funfair and a beloved Midlands tradition, it continues to attract a thronging crowd to Stratford each year around the 12th of October.
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