IT ALL comes round again and at Witney Feast one carousel is doing so for the 50th year running.

The 125-year-old Golden Gallopers, which has been passed through three generations of the Noyce family, only turns out three times a year.

The historic Witney Feast, which first started in 1243, is one of the chosen few events where the Noyces show off the stunning merry-go-round.

Fairground attraction owner James Noyce first brought the carousel to the feast in 1964.

His wife Clara was religious but the family usually spend Sundays attending fairs or moving between events, so came up with the idea of holding a blessing on the carousel.

After he died in 1974, the business was passed down to his sons Tommy and Jimmy, and now grandson Joseph.

The carousel, which needs five lorries to deliver it and rarely makes a profit, is only used at the feast and at fairs in London’s Leicester Square and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Married dad-of-three Joseph Noyce, 45, who also attends St Giles’ Fair, said: “It’s quite unique and to see the town come out and support it is a good feeling.

“I feel very proud of my grandfather and my father who carried it on.”

Rev Toby Wright, rector at St Mary’s Church, will climb aboard the vintage fairground ride at The Leys recreation ground on Sunday evening to lead a thanksgiving service attended by residents, councillors and other dignitaries.

There will also be a rock and roll night on Saturday, as well as the usual funfair with more modern rides on Monday and Tuesday.

Mr Wright said: “It’s a wonderful experience and great fun. It was a little surreal the first time I did it but it’s coming up to my fourth year so amazingly it’s becoming normal to have a service on the gallopers.

“It’s a really important part of the town and an opportunity for us to pray for those who work at the fair, the fair itself and give thanks to everything happening in Witney and the surrounding villages.”

Witney Feast started in 1243 when King Henry III granted two deer from the Royal Forest of Wychwood to celebrate the rededication of the church.

The parish feast is recorded in the 1640s as having “dancing, singing and much drinking” and by the 1790s there was a fair selling livestock and merchandise.

In the 19th century there were horse races on Curbridge Down and, by the 1870s, there was a large pleasure fair and people were shipped in for the event on special trains.

In 1902 legendary cricketer WG Grace attended the feast and two years later, as it expanded, festivities moved from Church Green to The Leys.

The rock and roll party, including a performance by Bicester nine-piece band The CaddyFins, Witney band The Dyference and youngsters at Witney-based World School of Rock, will be held at the church on Saturday from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7.50.

The church service, which will start with a procession including Mr Wright and dignitaries, will be held on Sunday from 7pm.

Vintage teas will be available at the church from 2.30pm to 5pm, before the service on the carousel at 7pm.

The fair opens after schools close at about 3pm on Monday and Tuesday.

Activities will raise money for the church’s £2m restoration appeal.

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