| Where: | Holsworthy, Devon at Great Tree (Proclamation) & the Church of St Peter& St Paul (Pretty Maid Ceremony) |
| When: | 1st or 2nd Wednesday in July (usually) |
| Time: | Proclamation 8am, Pretty Maid Ceremony Noon |
The Pretty Maids Charity was founded in the mid nineteenth century in Holsworthy, North Devon, by the brother of the local vicar Rev. Thomas Meyrick. The annual interest from the bequest is used to fund a donation to a young single woman who must fulfil certain criteria, being under 30 years old, handsome, deserving and devout. The name of the lucky maid is announced when she leaves the church by the belfry door at noon on Fair Day to open the funfair. The fair proclamation is read at 8am on Fair Day by the Town Crier at the site of the Old Great Tree in Holsworthy and there is a funfair as well as other entertainment. The Tuesday night before Fair day sees the meeting of the Court Leet at 7.30 at the Memorial Hall followed by ceremonial ale tasting at hostelries around town.
Helpful Hints
Setting the date for the fair can be complicated for the organisers as they need to fit in with other local events, so double check if you’re planning to attend.
A detailed breakdown of the programme is on the Events section of the official Facebook page near the event (see link below). In 2024 the fair ran from Saturday 6th to Saturday 13th of July with Fair Day on Wednesday 10th and the Court Leet on Tuesday 9th- 2025 dates are yet to be confirmed.
Click here for the event website : https://www.holsworthybenefice.org.uk/news/pretty-maid/
and here for the Facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Holsworthy-St-Peters-Fair-Week/450151935019805
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