In 1208, the charter of King John granted the burgesses of Bradninch a four-day Fair at the feast of St. Dionysisus. The Fair was revived in 2021 to enable folk to reconnect and have some fun following the Covid lockdowns.
The modern Bradninch Town Fair is a one-day, jam-packed celebration of our duchy town, its people and all the wonderful things that happen here! Pulled together each year by an informal Steering Group of local volunteers, it's about creating something that'ss community-led and accessible to everyone. It's a chance for local groups to promote their activities, sign up new members and raise some cash; and an opportunity for local people to come out, connect with friends and neighbours and enjoy a variety of entertainment and activities.​
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The 2024 Town Fair will take place on Saturday 28th September, and there's something for everyone! There'll be a community picnic and local stalls, the return of the Artisan Market Space, and entertainment including a Circus Skills Workshop (including aerial hoop!) with Higher Beings Circus, Uncle Tacko's 'Dum Tink' Mighty Striker, Spike's Alternative Punch & Judy and Bradninch's very own tik-tok sensation, The Red Barrows! For those keen on some friendly competition, Fair day events include the Bradninch Bolt Fun Run and Walk, the Bradninch Produce Show, the Sustainable Bradninch Nature Photography Competition and the inaugural Bradninch Dog Show! Other highlights will include apple pressing, a Scarecrow Trail around town the St Disen's donkey, a range of food and drink offerings and much more!
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Check out these pages for opportunities to volunteer, info on registering for the various events and programme updates as they come in; and find us on Facebook and Instagram under 'Bradninch Town Fair'.
Bradninch Scarecrow Trail 2024:
A character to scare off the crows!
This year's Scarecrow Trail is a trail rather than a competition - although there will be a People's Vote to choose the Town's favourite! The theme is 'A character to scare off the crows': could be human, animal, fantasy, perhaps a famous or infamous character...let your imagination run wild! Scarecrows may be made from any materials, but sustainability is encouraged. Contributions are welcome from individuals, households, community groups and local businesses.
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Scarecrows should be displayed outside your home or venue from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th September. Entry is free, but pre-registration is essential if you'd like your Scarecrow to be featured on the Scarecrow Trail Map and to be a candidate for the People's Vote. Please register by Tuesday 24th September, by heading to https://bit.ly/bradcrow
2024 Bradninch Produce Show:
Make, bake or grow your way to glory!
Do the good folk of Bradninch simply need to taste your runner bean chutney, see your wonky carrot, wow at your Lego flower arrangement or sample your Great Aunt Gertrude's fruitcake recipe? Well, now's your chance to achieve small-town glory!
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This fun competition is open to all ages (kids really encouraged to get involved), with free entry and no pre-registration required. Simply take your entries to the big tent on the Cricket Field by 9.30 on Fair Day. Please label containers clearly with your name if you want them back!
The Bradninch Dog Show:
Celebrating our Town's 4-Legged Friends
The 2024 Bradninch Bolt
Watch this space for info on how to register for the 2024 Bradninch Bolt Fun Run and Walk​, taking place on the morning of Fair Day. Start at the Guildhall, tackle Beacon Hill and finish on the Cricket Field, just in time for the Community Picnic and afternoon's entertainment.
We're hoping to have lots of Sustainable Scarecrows around town for folk to admire over Fair weekend. If you want to be part of the competition, you need to register (free) in advance, so we can find your Scarecrow! Register at https://bit.ly/bradninch-scarecrows
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​We'd love to see Scarecrows that tell us something about you, Bradninch or your life in Bradninch! Perhaps a depiction of you, something you love doing or your favourite character; or an (in)famous Bradninch character; or a local club or group that you're part of.
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The possibilities are endless: we just ask that you try to use recycled materials where possible.
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Open to all: you could enter as an individual, a household or a local club.
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When you register, tell us where we can find your Scarecrow, and let us know if you'd like to feature on a Scarecrow Trail over Fair weekend.
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Scarecrows should be on display by 5pm on Thursday 14th September, and should stay up until at least the end of Sunday 17th September. Judging will take place on the evening of 14th September.
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Happy making: we can't wait to see what you come up with!
Community Stalls & Artisan Market Space
Would you like a Fair Day pitch or performance spot on the Cricket Field?
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The Bradninch Bolt finishes on the Cricket Field around 11.15, with the official launch of the Fair at 12pm. Between 11ish and 4, there's a Community Picnic with stalls, entertainment and a bar. We want to showcase local clubs, organisations, artisans, performers and businesses, so whether you'd like to run a stall, showcase your musical or theatrical talents, or organise some sort of game or activity, we'd love to hear from you.
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Community Stall pitches are free to Bradninch-based clubs and organisations. If you make any money from your activities, please make a donation back to the Fair at the end of the day, to help us keep going as a not-for-profit event.
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There's an up-front pitch fee of £15 for pitches in the Artisan Market Space.
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Performance spots are free, and we guarantee an audience!
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Bring your own gazebo/shelter and chairs. We're able to provide a small number of tables if needed - please let us know at the time of booking.
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All pitch holders and performers are required to undertake their own risk assessment and must have the relevant insurance where necessary.
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To book your pitch or performance slot, email the Fair Steering Group.
2024 Sustainable Bradninch Nature Photography Competition
This year, the Town Fair will host the People’s Choice and prize giving of the second Sustainable Bradninch Nature Photography Competition. Entry is again free – thanks to a grant from the British Ecological Society – so if you’ve taken some fabulous photos of nature close to Bradninch (including Ashclyst Forest and the Killerton Estate), then why not enter a photo and see if you can claim the title of Bradninch Nature Photographer of the Year 2024!
There are three categories: Young (under 11), Youth (12-18) and Adult. On the day of the Town Fair, the people of Bradninch will be able to choose a ‘People’s Choice’ photo from those shortlisted and displayed.
Photos can be uploaded at: https://bit.ly/bradwild24
Any questions, please chat to Lucy Mottram or one of the Sustainable Bradninch crew!
Our Supporters
The Town Fair only happens because local people want it to do so: every single aspect of the day has a local person behind it!
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Getting involved with the Fair is a great way to meet new people and be a part of the community without excessive commitment. If running a stall or activity isn't your thing, you could volunteer to help with setting up/taking down, with First Aid and with many other tasks that happen. Do email the Fair Steering Group to find out more.
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The Steering Group is particularly grateful to a number of local groups for their ongoing support to enable the Fair to happen:
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Bradninch Cricket Club and the Kensham Club
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Bradninch Scout Group
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Bradninch Together CIC
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Bradninch Town Council
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If you or your business would be interested in supporting this community initiative in some way, we would love to hear from you.
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