ORGANISERS and fans of Newent Onion Fayre are wondering just how big it can get, as it's already the largest free one day event in Gloucestershire, and last Saturday's spectacular will even feature on a BBC Children's TV show.

Last Saturday's Onion Fayre, in the heart of the rural market town, attracted the usual massive crowds, and out and about with his camera, to capture all the fun, was keen photographer and Newent Town Councillor, Colin Thomas.

He said: "Who can believe that 2018 sees Newent’s Onion Fayre celebrating its 23rd year already?

"This fayre seems to grow in stature year by year and now even acquired international fame with a television crew from Australia recently recording one of the fayres."

Cllr Thomas added: "Attendances have also grown in those 23 years to an average of 15,000 people and small wonder it can now boast as being the largest free one day event in Gloucestershire.

"Although this year it started a little on the wet the sun soon came out and it didn’t take long for the ‘Last Party of Summer’ to get under way."

The highlight of this year’s fayre was the appearance of Children’s TV duo Sam and Mark from CBBs who opened the fayre.

Cllr Thomas said: "This was being recorded for a future episode of ‘All Over the Place’ for their BBC series. Since Pop Idol 15 years ago their television careers have taken off and now include having a number one single and presenting Sam and Mark’s TMi Friday, the BBC show Ready or Not and, of course, All Over the Place.

"Presenting their BBC programmes showed Sam and Mark will try anything so they were easily persuaded to take part in the famous Onion Eating Contest. Whilst they did their best they did not succeed, quoting lack of training."

Onion Ed oversaw the contest to ensure fair play and as far as the more serious side of the contest this year saw the onion eating record broken by Alex Navari, who ate the 7oz onion in an incredible 42 seconds which as well as being the fastest ever actually broke the record by 30 seconds.

Cllr Thomas said: "Newent Young Farmers had the pleasure of hosting this year’s most important Onion Stall with their wonderful display of onions and onion sacks. What would we do without this stall under the Market House! The Onion Show in the Memorial Hall had a very strong showing again this year with even more giant onions, amongst others, on display.

"Despite the slow start the streets were soon filled with crowds thoroughly enjoying themselves with music from three stages, the 120 different stalls, the fairground rides, the Food Hall, The Onion Show, the Dog Show, the street dancing and the Funion Zone for children. So much to do and see it was difficult getting to see everything. "

There was music all day and the Fayre was closed by a performance by ‘Who’s Next”, tribute band for The Who.