This time last year, Ledbury High Street was full of families for a long-standing annual tradition, the October Fair, otherwise known as the Mop Fair; but the Covid crisis meant it could not happen in 2020.

The town council spokesperson said that "unfortunately, due to the pandemic, Ledbury Town Council made the tough decision to cancel the fair to discourage gatherings in the High Street and the potential spread of Covid-19."

But a small ceremony took place under the Market House on Tuesday (October 13), to make sure a tradition which goes back to the Middle Ages was not forgotten in these more troubled times.

Ledbury is still looking for its own town crier and has been for a year, following the decision of Clive Gunn to stand down last autumn, because of ill health.

But Bromyard's town crier, Peder Nielson stepped in to do the honours and to inform passers by near the Market House all about the long history of the October Fair, and what it means to local people.

A charter for the fair goes all the way to 1138, and the reign of King Stephen, and it became a Royal Charter in Queen Elizabeth 1, in 1584.

In the old days, it would have served as a hiring fair, to serve local farms, as well as a celebration of the end of the hop harvest.

In recent times, it has been a popular street fair; but speaking to the Ledbury Reporter in 2014, Ann Rogers of the Rogers Fun Fair Family recalled what else the fair had been, within living memory.

She said: She said: "Everything changes, not always for the better; but there will always be a Ledbury street fair. In the old days, Bye Street wasn't part of the fair, but it was where the "run-outs" set up stalls - traders from outside the area.

"You could see a man throwing china up in the air and catching it. It was a skill - and in my younger days, I have actually seen that down Bye Street, and it is a shame it doesn't come back, because it was very exciting for the children."

The event usual brings funds in for the mayoral charities, and this year, despite the fair not going ahead, the Rogers family donated £100.

At the ceremony on Tuesday was Cllr Dee Knight, who had the pleasure of cutting a ceremonial ribbon.