WHAT IS THE NEWENT ONION FAYRE?

THE HISTORY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S MOST UNUSUAL SUMMER EVENT

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There's more to the Onion Fayre thanthe events in the town centre

 

Onion Stringing Demonstrations



Have you ever wondered how those french onion sellers pile all their crop on their bikes?

Under the Market House at the centre of the Fayre you will find demonstrations of the ancient art in Onion Stringing.

Popular in England and France, it's most frequent use was by 'Onion Johnnies', stripey shirted French farmers who have traveled from the north coast of Brittany since the early 1800s, landing in England to sell their red onions to us Brits.

Stringing the onions made them easier to transport on a bike and sell from city street corners, and of course the bikes traveled free on the trains. Canny lot these Frenchies!

The growth in trading with England saw the farmers starting a small company called Brittany Ferries in the 1970s - but that's another story!

The ancient art lives on and will be skilfully demonstrated by Gloucestershire's finest stringers on the day.