Warwick Mop tradition kept alive with reading of Royal Charter

The Mayor of Warwick, Cllr Terry Morris reading the Mop charter. Photo supplied

The tradition of the Warwick Mop Fair was kept alive last weekend despite the annual event being cancelled.

It was announced earlier this month that the Warwick Mop Fair and the Runaway Mop would not be going ahead this year.

Started as a hiring fair for local labourers and employers, the Warwick Mop Fair and runaway Mop have been held on consecutive Fridays and Saturdays in October for more than 700 years.

The tradition of opening Warwick’s Mop Fair with the reading of the Royal Charter. Photo supplied

The Mop was due to come to the town last weekend, with the Runaway Mop due this weekend.

Despite being cancelled, representatives from the town and event organisers gathered on Saturday (October 17) to keep the tradition alive.

This was done through the reading of the Royal Charter by the Mayor of Warwick, Cllr Terry Morris and a few token rides from Wilson's Amusements.

Cllr Terry Morris, the Mayor of Warwick, said: "It was an honour to continue the tradition of opening Warwick’s Mop Fair with the reading of the Royal Charter on Saturday.

Cllr Terry Morris, Mayor of Warwick, on one of the few rides that were set up in the town. Photo supplied

"It was also great to see a number of people come and support the event.

"Clearly this wasn’t the usual Mop but it was still good to keep the tradition alive.

"We will have to wait to see what the situation is regarding Covid-19 in March 2021, but hopefully Warwick will be able to host a larger event that allows the many people who have grown-up with, and love the Mop, to enjoy the “fun of the fair”.

"Thank you to Tommy Wilson of Wilson’s Amusements, Warwick District Council’s Events Team and the team at Warwick Town Council for finding a way of continuing to honour the Royal Charter whilst responding to the needs necessitated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic."