Stow-on-the-Wold

Stow-on-the-Wold History

Stow on the Wold is said to have originated as an Iron Age fort on this defensive postion on a hill. Indeed, there are many sites of similar forts in the area, and Stone Age and Bronze Age burial mounds are common throughout the area. The town began to grow as a result of trade along the Fosse Way (a Roman Road). Originally the small settlement was controlled by Abbots from the local Abbey, and when the first weekly market was set up in 1107 by Henry I, he decreed that the proceeds go to the Evesham Abbey. In 1330, Edward III set up an annual 7-day market to be held in August. This was replaced by Edward IV in 1476 with two 5-day fairs, two days before and two days after the feast of St Philip and St James in May, and similarly in October on the feast of St Edward the Confessor (the saint associated with the town). The aim of these annual fairs was to establish Stow as a place to trade, and to remedy the unpredictable passing trade. These fairs were located in the Square, which is still the town centre.

As the fairs grew in fame and importance, the town grew more prosperous, and the fairs became bigger. Traders who once only dealt in livestock, now dealt in many handmade goods, and the wool trade always stayed a large part of the trade. Reportedly, 20,000 sheep changed hands at one 19th century fair. Many alleyways run between the buildings of Stow into the market Square; these once were used in the herding of sheep into the Square to be sold.

Nowadays, however, the Fair has changed considerably. As the wool trade declined, people began to trade in horses, and these would be sold at every Fair. This practice still continues today, although the Fair has been relocated from the Square, and is currently held in the large field towards the village of Maugersbury every May and October. It is still a very popular Fair, with the roads around Stow being blocked for many hours on the day as people visit for the day. Even in the rain, the Fair continues to draw visitors, and the field is frequently filled with traders and customers.

More recently, there has been controversy surrounding Stow Fair. The large number of visitors and traders has attracted more vendors not dealing in horses, and often they bring with them an increase in vandalism, and sometimes in the crime rate. In the past, local businesses used to profit from the increased custom. Nowadays, most pubs and shops close for 2 or 3 miles around. In the run-up to the most recent Fair, there was an enormous amount of public attention, and a debate and vote were held to decide what should be done. There are people in Stow who would like it abolished; others want it to stay unchanged; the majority, it seemed, said they would like more policing and more street cleaners, and the last Fair passed fairly well. However, the future of the Fair still remains uncertain.

Stow's chief claim to history is its role in the English Civil War. A number of fights took place around the area, the local church of St. Edward being damaged in one such skirmish. On 21 March 1646, the Royalists, commanded by Sir Jacob Astley, were defeated at Stow, with hundreds of prisoners being confined for some time in St. Edwards.

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Stow-on-the-Wold News

Gloucestershire Police Announce Plans For Stow Fair
27th April 2007

Gloucestershire Constabulary will be adopting its usual high profile approach to policing Stow Horse Fair in May.

As in previous years, officers will be carrying out high visibility patrols in and around Stow between Friday May 4 and Thursday May 10 in a bid to make the event as safe as possible for both residents and visitors.

On the day of the fair itself (Thursday) Gloucestershire officers will be supported by mounted colleagues from Avon & Somerset Police - resources that, in the past, have proved operationally useful and popular with the public.

During the Fair officers will seek to engage with local residents and visitors and resolve any problems that occur quickly and amicably. Should this approach fail however, officers will intervene and use the powers available to them in a firm but proportionate manner.

The public should also be aware that the owner of the main Fair field will not be allowing access to this location until Monday May 7.

This decision, agreed between the owner of the field, local residents, local business groups, Cotswold District Council and the police, will be actively supported by officers on the ground.

"Our high visibility approach to policing the bi-annual Horse Fair has proved a great success with both Stow residents and visitors in recent years," said Chief Supt Dean Walker, commander of the Cotswolds and Stroud Division.

"The policing of the event in May will mirror the good practices identified during previous Fairs, while maintaining flexibility and the ability to respond appropriately to information and intelligence gathered before and during the Fair period.

"As in previous years officers will address all incidents of anti social behaviour and disorder that occur, and will act to minimise the threatening nature and impact of such behaviour on the visitors to, and residents of, Stow.

"We will be particularly active in relation to incidents that we know from past experience can cause friction between residents and visitors - such as traffic offences - although residents should be aware that police have no powers to remove vehicles parked on verges that are part of the public highway.

"Officers will, of course, issue parking tickets to the owners of illegally parked vehicles."

Chief Supt Walker added: "In recent years we have received positive feedback from both residents and visitors, who seemed to appreciate the extra police presence and robust approach taken towards offending."

Cotswold District Council, in consultation, with police and local representatives, has taken the decision to close the Maugersbury Road car park at 7.30am on Bank Holiday Monday (May 7).

The car park will remain closed until Friday May 11. It is hoped the closure of the car park will ensure Maugersbury Lane remains clear of vehicles and traders for the duration of the fair, providing a safer environment and allowing continued access for local residents and emergency vehicles.

Cotswold District Council will also be providing additional toilets, adjacent to the Maugersbury Road toilet block, and providing a specialist clean-up crew. In addition to the usual extensive clean-up on Friday morning, a team of two will operate on Fair day collecting glass bottles which are deposited in Stow Square and on Sheep Street, as a safety precaution.

Stow on the Wold Hotels

Wyckhillhouse
Wyckhillhouse is a wonderful 32 bedroom mansion house within Stow-on-the-Wold in a 100-acre private estate. The hotel is equidistant for Bristol and Birmingham, 1½ hours out of London.
Dogs welcome.
Telephone: +44 (0)1451 831936

The Old Stocks Hotel & Restaurant
The Old Stocks Hotel in Stow-on-the-Wold offers bed and breakfast accommodation in the centre of the town and makes an idea base for touring the Cotswolds.

The Old Stocks has a full service restaurant and bar, extensive patio garden and a lounge facing out to The Square.

All of the rooms at The Old Stocks Hotel are en-suite, have central heating, a colour television, direct dial telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. The Hotel has on-site laundry facilities, private car park, plus ample additional overnight parking in The Square at the front of the Hotel.
Telephone: +44 (0)1451830666

Stow-on-the-Wold Self Catering Accommodation

Honey Cottage is a charming, period self-catering holiday cottage in the Cotswolds, available for both long and short breaks. The holiday cottage is situated in the centre of the historic Cotswolds market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, only a minute's walk from the market square with its restaurants, gastro-pubs, delicatessens, art galleries and shops. Surrounding Stow are the beautiful rolling hills and countryside of the Cotswolds just waiting to be explored.
For more information please Sarah on 01474 812609