| Where: | Trefin, Haverfordwest, Wales- at the Village Green and Ship Inn, Ffordd Yr Afon |
| When: | Weekend near 11th November/ mid to late January |
| Time: | Craft Fair 10-4 pm then further activities at the Ship with procession to Crowning, then Crowning at 5 pm (formerly 6pm) approx on the Village Green |
Trefin is one of a handful of places that have their very own election, in which a Mock Mayor is voted in for the year amidst much revelry and ceremony, with speeches and appeals to the assembled electorate. Held every year as part of the St Martin’s Fair or the Winter Fair, it takes place usually on a weekend near to the saint’s feast day of 11th November, and though it sometimes varies a little in date to accommodate other events, it’s always been near that time until very recently. It’s a revival of the traditional medieval fair and there are stalls selling local crafts at the Ship Inn during the daytime. As well as the election itself you can expect music and singing at the Inn and the serving of Cawl, the tasty Welsh broth, which is served with its traditional accompaniment of cheese and bread.
Helpful Hints
The fair is usually in November but problems arranging conflicting dates mean that the next one will be on 24th January 2026 rather than late in 2025. The Mock Mayor ceremony will be from 4.30-5pm.Moving to after the Christmas holidays will give everyone something to look forward to after all the festivities are over-I’ll be checking to see if the new January date carries on in future years and will adjust accordingly. When there’s poor weather, most things move into the pub!
In 2024 it was provisionally arranged for Saturday November 2nd but clashes with other events meant that the Fair was postponed, with the Mock Mayor ceremony taking place instead at the Singing Round the Tree on Friday 13th December. The event began at 5.15 with mince pies and mulled wine at the Hall, procession to the Tree at 6 pm and Investiture of the Mayor at 6.30.
The Fair usually runs from 11-4, with the torchlit Procession at 5 and Crowning at 6 pm (times may be flexible!).
While in the past it has often been held on a Sunday it’s sometimes in the latter part of the month rather than being strictly near 11th, and moved to Saturday in 2022. The residents are very welcoming and you can be sure of a warm reception.
The Ship is an ancient family-owned hostelry which serves a wide range of food and drink including numerous vegetarian and vegan options, and friendly staff. The Cawl was very tasty, and served with the traditional accompaniment of bread and cheese.
Click here for the Village Hall: https://www.facebook.com/TrefinVillageHall
Click here for the Inn Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theshipinntrefin
Many thanks to David Gardner for the photos and helpful information!
The 2021 event will be held on Sunday 21st November in Trefin starting with a Christmas Fair followed by the ‘crowning’ of the new Mayor on the village green at 5.00 pm and a candle lit procession to the Ship Inn.
Thanks David for the update -will get that info on the site straightaway!
Best wishes,
Averil