Are ewe ready for the Swaffham Sheep Fair?
MP Liz Truss was one of the visitors to last year's Swaffham Sheep Fair. Picture: SWAFFHAM SHEEP FAIR - Credit: Archant
The good times are baaa-ck at Swaffham as the town prepares to host its annual sheep fair.
The Saturday, May 25 event is billed as a celebration of 'all things woolly' with displays of rare breed sheep, spinning and weaving demonstrations and more.
Councillor Jill Skinner, mayor of Swaffham, said the fair was becoming an annual highlight for the town which celebrated Swaffham's sheepish heritage.
She said: "We are thrilled to be hosting the Swaffham Sheep Fair again this year - celebrating all that's best about Swaffham past and present.
"It's a great chance to explore the Saturday market and discover how much the town has to offer."
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This year there will be the chance to get up close to sheep from local farmers and crafters.
Visitors young and old will be able to learn about British breeds of sheep and what makes them so special.
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At the end of the day there will be a 'mock auction' of some of the sheep with the proceeds going to charity.
Spinners and weavers will be giving demonstrations and visitors will have the chance to try their hand on a peg loom.
Also taking part will be the Rare Breeds Survival Trust 'Woolly Roadshow', aiming to inspire people to get the best out of this great, local and sustainable material which can used for much more than just jumpers.
Local and rare breed meats will be for sale both on the market and at the town's butchers.
You can even 'try before you buy' with great hot food and refreshments.
For children there will be fairground rides and the Iceni Partnership are running a sheep trail.
The trail will run over half term and there will be prizes to be handed out at the end of the week.
Last year was the first sheep fair the town had held in about 60 years, and it was such a success organisers have decided to revive the tradition.
The sheep fair runs from 8am to 3pm and those driving can take advantage of the park and ride service from Swaffham Raceway. The park-and-ride bus will shuttle people to the Peddars Car Park every 20 minutes, for a voluntary contribution, between 9.30am and 3pm.
At the raceway, there will also be a moring car boot and poultry auction, starting at 11am.
