Here is a brand new addition to Nicholas Rhea’s long and popular series that inspired the
hugely popular TV series Heartbeat. The theme for this one is fairs, running the gamut
of traditional livestock and horse fairs through fun fairs and even the historical "fayre."
Along with this are stories that center around the word in other meanings,
such as Charlotte, who was born on a Monday and is "fair of face,"
and a warring couple whose chapter is entitled, "All’s Fair in Love
and War." Interesting as these other tales are, it is the accounts
of the other types of fair that make this book another fascinating
piece of social (and police) history. The 1960s was possibly the
last decade many of these wonderful old traditions were still going
strong, and anybody interested in country life in England will be
engrossed as I was. Read about mop or hiring fairs, different ways
of advertising or declaring a fair open, the sort of things people
did at the various types of fairs, and how they evolved into the
sort of entertainments that we know today. Of course, this is all
told in Mr Rhea’s highly readable and informative style, so there
is also plenty to laugh at. Add to this a cast of colorful (and
in some cases habitual) characters and all the wonder of a vanished
but recent past. I hope this series continues for many years...
especially now we have to do without the TV series!
Reviews
of other titles in this series
Constable
At The Double - Constable Around the Village #3 &
Constable Across The Moors #4
Constable
Over The Stile #17
Constable
Goes to Market #
22
Constable
Along the Riverbank #24
Constable In The Wilderness #26
Constable
over the Bridge
#27
Constable
Along The Trail #28
Constable
in the Country #29
Constable
On The Coast #30
Constable
on View #31
Constable
Beats The Bounds #32
Constable
at the Fair #33
Constable
Over The Hill #35