About the Shipston Wool Fair
The Wool Fair commemorates Shipston on Stour's long heritage in the sheep trade - in fact the name 'Shipston' derives from the old 'sheepwash town', as for many centuries Cotswolds farmers brought their sheep here to be washed in the River Stour, and livestock markets were held in the town. The tradition of holding a 'sheep and wool fair' was dropped in the first half of the last century, and it was not until our late Mayor Elect Angela Noyce had the idea of resurrecting it, that the Wool Fair came to life again, attracting thousands of visitors.
Shipston Wool Fair is a great day out for all the family. Its main aim is to promote a 'feel good' factor among visitors and residents alike, where people mingle and enjoy some old-fashioned activities and values. The Wool Fair's success depends wholly on the support and participation of a host of local individuals, organisations and businesses who work tirelessly to ensure that it showcases 'the best of Shipston' for the benefit of all comers.
You won't find any fair rides, hustlers, computerised games or dubious comedians at our Wool Fair! What you WILL find is good old family fun, to be shared in a spirit of community and well-being ......
You can watch the sheep being sheared, or take part in a competition to guess the weight of the largest sheep. You'll be entertained all day long by first-class local musicians and dancers. You can shop to your heart's content at the many interesting stalls set up in the High Street, or in Shipston's own top quality retailers. Younger visitors can play skittles, quoits and other quirky games. You can watch a cooking demo, and sample delicious offerings from our great local pubs and butchers. You and your children can join in a quiz and Treasure Hunt or buy raffle tickets for a chance to win fantastic prizes! Or you can simply explore the highways and byways of this lovely little town on the edge of the Cotswolds.
You'll also learn a thing or two! We'll have a 'Wool Process' marquee where you can see the whole progression from fleece through spinning and weaving, to finished garment and High Fashion. There will be knitting tuition sessions for youngsters, where they'll be shown how to do simple knitting, weaving, pom-pom making and French knitting. We'll have a 'mobile museum' exhibiting farm machinery of yesteryear, and a blacksmith forging traditional implements. And much, much more!
YOU'D HAVE TO BE BA-A-A-KING TO MISS IT!