Charter Fair

Trinity Fair has been held in Southwold since the town was granted its Charter in 1489. Prior to that there was a medieval fair held on 30th April but after the Charter this became the more variable function permitted on the 3 days following Trinity Sunday. Mr Stocks and his family have been bringing the family fair since 1850. The children of Southwold Primary are given Trinity money for many years, and used to go straight from school to the fair. However due to many factors, the date of the fair was changed to the week of Spring Bank Holiday Monday. The children, in recent years have therefore received their Charter money prior to the school breaking up for half term so that they can then go to the fair now called Charter Fair in their own time during the school holidays. The Charter of Southwold was passed by an Act of Parliament during the reign of King William IV.