
CLHS Journal Editor Mike Andrews with TCA members Roger Donne, Mike Tizzard, and David Eels in Place Mill.
Hundreds of people were attracted to this year’s St Faith’s Fair, which was once again held in and around historic Place Mill. The costumed event, held on Saturday 9th October, evoked the town’s medieval fair, which commenced after Baldwin de Redvers, the Lord of the Manor of Christchurch, was granted a charter by King Henry III in 1257. The original Fair was held over three days around the feast day of St Faith, 6th October, and the Priory once had a chapel dedicated to the maidenly 4th century saint.Visitors to the Fair were given a glimpse of the everyday lives of the town’s medieval residents, with demonstrations ranging from weaponry and medicine to music and dance. The contributors were all local people who had volunteered their time to celebrate the lives of the town’s 13th century residents.

Barber-surgeon Rory McCreadie offering medieval medical advice.
A popular exhibit at this year’s Fair was timber that had been unearthed during the recent development of the King’s Arms Hotel site. The builders had excavated the timber from an area close to the millstream that had not been investigated by Wessex Archaeology Ltd, the official archaeologists employed to evaluate the site on behalf of the developers. Much of the timber, some of which showed evidence of mortise and tenon joints, was taken to a landfill site, but a few of the smaller pieces were rescued by The Christchurch Antiquarians. The timber was subsequently carbon-14 dated to 1160 (± 50 years), making it contemporary with the construction of the Constable’s House. Documentary evidence for a house being on the site dates back to the mid-15th century.
One local visitor to the Fair said, “I haven’t learned so much about Christchurch’s history since we moved here.”
Visitors to the Fair also showed generosity in their support of local heritage, with the Place Mill donations box receiving the highest income of any day this year.

'Sally Shaw of Letton' leads a medieval dance at Place Mill.
Event organiser, CLHS member Phil Tate, said: “Christchurch’s unique character has been shaped by its long history. Taking a keen interest in the town’s past can help us to take pride in its present, and thereby in its future.”
Report by Phil Tate
Pictures by Kaz Hand