THE traditional annual Mop fair is in town this week, with rides lining High Street and the Court Leet out in all their finery.

Members of the court will be tasting goods from local businesses as part of the assizes, while children are being given a free first ride to open the fair.

The Mop dates back as far as the 13th century, and it was traditionally there to mark the end of the contractual year for farm workers, labourers, servants and craftsmen.

Workers hopeful of finding new employment would walk the high street carrying the tools of their trades, while unskilled workers would simply carry a mop.

The celebrations over successful contracts slowly came to overshadow the transactions themselves, and these days the Mop is more of an excuse for the people of Alcester to let their hair down and take in the rides.

Nick Dearling is also bidding farewell to his tenure as high bailiff of the Court Leet, as this Thursday sees the annual election of a new court.

He said: “It’s been a fabulous year. I’ve really enjoyed every minute of it. It’s just gone so quickly.”