To Tavistock Goosey Fair

"It seems to we, all Devon must be to Tavistock Goosey Fair".

"It seems to we, all Devon must be to Tavistock Goosey Fair". Goosey Fair veterans remember the glory days of the fair in this regional television documentary. If that sounds sentimental, think again: their colourful tales of pub brawls, prostitutes and gypsy encounters are paired with images of the fair in full swing and set to the sounds of no-nonsense market trading and good old-fashioned sing-alongs. 'Knees Up Mother Brown', anyone?

The Tavistock Goosey Fair, a livestock market at heart, has been a West Country tradition since around the 12th century, and remains a popular social event, held annually on the second Wednesday in October. The film features the traditional folk song, ‘Tavvystock Goozey Vair’, first published in 1912, with words and music by C. John Trythall, and sung here by pub landlady Mary Warne.