What is a Beggars Fair? When did it all begin? Where is the missing apostrophe?
Well some say that back in the mists of time there was a day in Romsey on which all the beggars were given a licence to beg legally in the town without fear of arrest and this day has been celebrated ever since…
Others say it’s all just mischievous nonsense spread about by people who should know better but the Beggars Fair has been an annual music event in Romsey since it’s first outing in 1993. Starting then with just a handful of performers with the Cornmarket crowd sat on straw bales, it has grown to 2018’s 26th outing with 90+ acts in multiple venues.
Plus there is now the Beggars Fair Stage at The Romsey Show in September too!
Just click on the above years collages for a selection of photos of performers, crowds and weather together with the performers and running orders from Beggars Fairs gone by.
There’s only a few snaps from 1997 and earlier. However…if anyone should have photographs, digital or print, from 1993-97 then please Email our Webmaster.
Since its inception the Beggars Fair has presented well in excess of 500 acts with many returning year after year. The following are just some of those who have performed several times…
- Motley
- Romsey Ukulele Group
- Little Big Band
- Mac III
- The Lynne Butler Band
- Saltwatersun
- Ticklish Allsorts Show
- Moonshine Border Morris
- Hursley International Folk Dancers
- Broughton Long Sword Dance Group
- Wishful Thinking
- Kitchen Sync
- Forever Under Fire
- Berni2Berni
- Mick Ryan & Pete Harris
- Contraband
- Jigfoot
- Frescobaldi Consort
- Colcannon
- Acoustic Affect
- Souls of Fire
- Steve Picken
- Danielle May
- Atlantico
- Dr Blu
- Amorilo
- Rex Trayhorne
- The Intruders
- Fedora Café
- Holly Copse Molly
- Steve Lowis
- Cuckoo Pint
- Pneumatic Love
- Lee Jongleurs
- Ian B Dunne
- Barrington
- Day 4
- Los Dos Amigos
- The Machine Breakers
- Johnny Jet
- Skimmington Ride
- The Soulcatchers
- Romsey Baptist Worship Group
- Angela Jackson & Friends
- Contagious Vibes
- Vicki Hobbs
- Stoney Ridge
- Jo Long & The Pure Drop
- Captain Driver’s Delight
- Frayed Knot
- Candle Club
- Glen Stone Magician
- King John’s Morris Men
- Innominata
- Spike Island Band
- Opaque
- Man in the Brown Hat
- The Wrong Sort of Biscuit
- Slipstream
- Sarum Morris
- Ken Wood And The Mixers
- The Linwood Quartet
- State of Undress
- MeloDaemons
- Minced Head
- Nick Tann
- The Shimmering Bees
- Red Stags Morris
- Saxofony
- Deorfrith Morris
- Skellig
- Rhodri & Keith
- Pete Gritton
- Mary Jane
- Southern Lights
- Southampton Ukulele Jam
- Loose Screws Appalachian Dancers
- Samhain Morris
- Hampshire Youth Jazz Orchestra
- Chien Bizarre
- Della Perrett’s Sweetedge
- The Djembabes
- Jero Férec
- The Travelling Talesman
- Southampton Folk Orchestra
- Andover Museum Loft Singers
- Home Folk
- Carlos Rocha
- Octavi+us
- Wickham Morris
- OKeh Wranglers
- Retroswing
- Voices Of The Forest
- Miles Apart
- Creative Capers
- Four Chords Sake
- Shebeen
- Arts & Crafts
- Bat2K
- Chequered Flag Appalachian Dancers
- Jazmorillo
- Botyov1791
- Acoustic Mary Jane
- Meg Linford
- Revel Weird And Wild
- Skimmer
- Romsey Youth Theatre
- The Real Raj
- The Sways
- The Fringe
- Chris Whitfield
- Syd Meats
- Folk Service by the Association of Romsey Churches
- Beggars Choice
- Segalula
- Quattrio
- Wombat Rock
- Court Rogue
- The Balloon Man
- Popemobile
- New Forest Meddlars
- Bosun’s Call
- Tant
- LeeZ Argonauts
- Showcase Drumming Academy
- Rock Choir
- 2 Came By
- Ben Goddard
- Jazz Therapy
- Three’s Company
- Flûtes Légères
- Live Noise
- Tom Martin
- Taliesin
- Hampshire Garland
- The Three Amoebas
- Marriott Magic
- Siansa
- Hedgemonkeys
- Swing 39
- Joe Mongan
- Black Bart
- Inside the Rain
- Sarah Saville
- Juddy
- Hand to Mouth Theatre
- The Tudor Roses
- Riverside Blues Band
- Guith Morris
- Tenderlore
- Tuba-Libres
- Fidanka
- Oyster Girls
- …and many, many others
If you’re ever tempted to add your name, group, chorus or juggling act to the above in the future and are local to Romsey (within 25 miles) then please Sign-Up on the Take Part page.
If you’re actually tempted to assist the organising team in making this annual festival happen then please Email our Chair. An extra pair of hands is never refused!
