14326/1APART from a few words from showmen's leaders and from Marlborough Mayor Graham Francis on Saturday there was nothing to let visitors to the first of the town's Mop Fairs know that it was their 800th anniversary.

There was no special pomp and ceremony to mark the occasion.

Relatively few people had gathered in the High Street for the traditional opening of the fair by the mayor.

Fairground operator William Whitelegg, a past president of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain, told onlookers: "This is the 800th anniversary of the Marlborough Mop fairs."

The mayor's chaplain, the Rev Andrew Studdert-Kennedy, blessed the fairs and referred to "all the work behind the scenes to ensure that it goes well".

Mr Whitelegg said: "The fair is as safe as we can possibly make it but it is up to the public to be vigilant at all times when riding on the machines."

Coun Francis thanked members of the showmen's guild for providing the town with its two fairs every year. He said: "As I said at the charter anniversary celebrations when I opened the Victorian steam fair this is a unique occasion."

The fairs, in various forms through the centuries, have been taking place for 800 years.

He said: "Some people have said that it's about time we stopped this. I don't agree, this is a great tradition and I do not think that under any circumstances we should stop this."

After the formalities there was free admission to some of the rides with the mayor and his official party eagerly followed by local children.

The High Street will be closed again from 10am tomorrow when the fair ground rides move in again for the second mop fair.