Stratford

Stratford Slat Bench $109.58 Enhance your home decor with this elegant Stratford slat benchContemporary espresso bench is a stylish seating addition or coffee table alternativeFashionable furniture features minimalist slat construction

Stratford 3-piece Table Set $206.25 Stylish 3-piece cherry cocktail/end table set is an ideal upgrade to your homeFurniture crafted in birch veneer over MDF on a durable metal frameHandsome curved legs and riveted metal rim support the table top

Stratford Mahogany Twin Daybed $569 This Stratford daybed features a 'Louis Philippe' design with its camel back and curved sleigh arms. Made from solid mixed Malaysian hardwoods, this bed showcases a five-step furniture-grade finish.

Stratford Mission 2-piece Bedroom Suite Set $699.99 Stratford Mission 2-piece bedroom suite set features slat stylingSubtle curved detailing of furniture enhances the arts and craftsStratford Mission Collection is a bold statement of updated mission-style bedroom group

Wittnauer Stratford Women's Goldplated Diamond Watch $266.99 Defined by a sense of stand-out style, Wittnauer's Stratford women's watch raises the barFor a bit of flair, timepiece by Wittnauer offers goldplated steel craftsmanshipSparkling diamonds decorate the women's wristwatch

Wittnauer Women's Stratford Stainless Steel Watch $275.04 Defined by stand-out style, the Stratford watch by Wittnauer is a must-haveWomen's timepiece features a white dial and two silvertone handsMini, fashionable wristwatch has a tonneau-shape stainless steel barrel case

Wittnauer Stratford Men's Goldplated Steel Diamond Bezel Watch $296.99 Stratford wristwatch by Wittnauer combines posh fashion and pure functionGoldplated stainless steel craftsmanship adds a bit of flair to this men's watchAltogether elegant timepiece is a must-have for any collection

Wittnauer Men's Stratford Goldplated Quartz Watch $184.99 Defined by stand-out style, this Stratford watch by Wittnauer is a must-haveMen's timepiece features a black dial with diamond hour markersSmall, handsome wristwatch has goldtone Dauphine hour and minute hands

Wittnauer Men's Stratford Stainless Steel Quartz Watch $218.99 The Stratford wristwatch from Wittnauer has a classy and elegant style. The stainless steel craftsmanship adds traditional beauty to this men's watch.

Oscar Peterson Trio - At The Stratford Shakespearean Festival $10.98 Description Not Available

Stratford (Paperback) $18.99 Description not available.

Shakespeare`s Stratford (DVD) $17.09 Description not available.

Hell and Earth (Paperback) $7.59 Employed by the Promethean Club, Kit Marley must draw on all the magic in his control when some of the Prometheans, including England`s most powerful mages and aristocrats, conspire to usurp the throne from Quen Elizabeth, in the sequel to Ink and ...

Field Guide to Finding a New Career in Health Care (Paperback) $12.07 Explains the steps to starting a career in the field of health care, with suggestions on how to market and hone existing skills and advice on issues that face different age groups.

Arts and Entertainment (Hardcover) $37.2 Explains the steps to starting a career in the entertainment industry, with suggestions on how to market and hone existing skills and advice on issues that face different age groups.

You might find it hard to believe that Europe's largest funfair in town centre streets was originally a place where the unemployed could find work, but it is true. Held on the 11th and 12th October each year, the Stratford Mop Fair is a tradition that can be traced back hundreds of years. On these days, the streets in the town centre are closed to traffic and filled with funfair rides, stalls and tents.

The fair is always opened by the mayor of Stratford who holds a pig or ox roast before the opening. The mayor is then led around the fair by the master of the mop, and the mayor chooses a ride to go on. On the first morning of the fair, local children can enjoy the rides free of charge. The main mop is held on the second day. A week later a smaller fair called the Runaway Mop is held.

History of the Stratford Mop Fair

The Stratford Mop was first granted a royal charter by Edward V1 in 1544 with further charters by James I and Charles II in 1611 and 1676 respectively. The 1676 charter provided for mops or fairs to be held "...within and through all places Streets Lanes Alleys and Fields in the said Borough (Stratford upon Avon)".

Mop fairs were originally fairs where workers hired themselves out to employers for the next 12 months. The workers would indicate their skill by carrying or wearing an item – a shepherd would carry his crook or a lock of wool; a labourer would carry a piece of plaited hay; waggoners wore whipcord in their hats, and maidservants would have mops or brooms. Once hired, a worker would remove the item and wear bright ribbons instead. Those who were offered a job would be paid a retainer which they would spend on food, drink and games at the fair. The Runaway Mop was held the following week for employers who found they had made a poor choice to re-hire staff.

Only a handful of English towns still hold a mop fair, and it is unlikely that many of the visitors are aware of the traditional reason for them being held. But the uniqueness of the experience at Stratford combining the thrill of the rides at this huge mop fair surrounded by Tudor style half-timbered houses, means that they will always have a great day out.

For attractions, events and hotels in Stratford-Upon-Avon, see the Stratford Directory website: www.stratford-info.co.uk.

About the Author:

Paul Hayward is a web author and travel writer. He runs popular online tourist guides, including the Stratford Directory website (www.stratford-info.co.uk) and Hunstanton Directory website (www.hunstanton-info.com).

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Stratford-Upon-Avon'S Historic Mop Fair

Pedestrian killed in Stratford
STRATFORD – A pedestrian was killed Sunday after being struck by a snow removal vehicle.