Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois spent a lively Sunday afternoon visiting the Trinity Fair which took place recently in and around Rayleigh High Street. The Trinity Fair was a feature of Rayleigh life in the 19th century but was apparently discontinued in 1899 due to “excess rowdiness”. The reincarnation in 2017 was much better behaved.
The event was attended by thousands of people from Rayleigh and further afield and included a main stage where a variety of bands played for the townsfolk as well as a number of stalls up and down the High Street, which was closed to traffic for the duration of the event. There was also a display of heritage cars outside of the Mill Hall, an arts and crafts fair, as well as Rayleigh Windmill being open to visitors. In addition, Holy Trinity Church visitors were able to climb to the top of the Church Tower, to enjoy wide ranging views of Rayleigh and the surrounding countryside.
Speaking about the Fair, local MP Mark Francois said:
“It was a real pleasure to attend the Trinity Fair in Rayleigh and to see thousands of my constituents out for the day and obviously enjoying themselves. The Lord was kind with the weather and the event was clearly appreciated by stall holders and local shop keepers. Rayleigh Town Council has set the bar quite high with what they achieved with the fair and I am sure that there will be pressure for them to put on the event again next year.”