Sussex Advertiser 28 September 1867

Cuckfield Fair,

"An old inhabitant’, in referring to this fair, observes, “Well the autumn fair has passed over again, and with the exception of a little endeavour, too small in its way, to impede or put it down, has gone off with something like éclat."

It is true that we have no stock or sheep show now to crowd the town, and dirty the pavements, as they did some 30 or 40 years ago, but we have a Charter nearly 650 years old, and that gives us the right to hold our fair for stock, goods, and pedigree, where everyone has a right to expose his goods for sale, and everybody may come and purchase, if they have the means.

But there has been a wish to put down the old time honoured institution, that two years ago was manfully met and conquered by the herbalist doctor, and upon scanning over the charter, written in Anglo-Saxon language, that requires the scale of a Philadelphia lawyer to decipher, it was found that we have really a right to hold two days fair in the town, and in the Manor of Cuckfield subject to a fine of ‘one penny pitch and one penny show’, to the Lord of the Manor from those who expose goods for sale, or in the latter case, who make their living by a show, without breaking soil.

Finding that the fair people and like sight-seers were not to be beaten, another plan has been tried on with equal success this year, and a gentleman who has set himself against it actually applied to hire the whole standing room for his especial convenience, so as to drive out from the town the usual habitués of the fair.

But this the Lord of the Manor, or his Reeves, have not the power to do, for where a chapman takes his stand and lays down a pole, the stand is taken, and the person, according to the custom of the fair, has a right, but must redeem it, and erect his stall or standing by ten on the morning of the fair. Consequently the gentleman referred to was what is called ‘sold’  and the fair went on as usual. 

But here I must be allowed to say one word – the people of Cuckfield will willingly give up the fair, and will be glad even if it was abolished; but it is useless to attempt to ride roughshod over us, for we are to be led, but not driven; and therefore it is morally useless to enter into a crusade against her rights and privileges, for the old proverb, “if you give an inch, he'll take an ell," is pretty generally understood.

We have seldom had so merry a fair for years,. The town on both evenings was filled with pleasure seekers, and a more orderly assemblage could not be passed on such an occasion. Mr Butler, a herbalist, from the old Kent Road, London, drove a roaring trade in vending his dandelion pills, and Holliday, the original “Cheap Jack”, who has frequented the fair so many years, also drew around him a large crowd, whose risibilities were kept in constant motion by his irresistible logic, while in return he favoured them with astounding bargains, at marvellously low prices.

Then there was a show in which a performing pony did some clever tricks, and a merry-go-round, with lots of stalls for sale of gingerbread and toys, and in the morning, on Monday, such a site was seen as had not been witnessed here for at least 30 years – viz a drove a bullocks; but they were merely driven through and not offered for sale.

In former days it was a large stock fair, but its utility in this shape has passed away for years, though it is still kept up as a holiday by the country folk, and so long as they believe in the quiet and orderly manner they have done this year, let them enjoy it"