FOR almost 800 years the people of Witney have been celebrating the town’s annual feast day.

And this year the event, which dates back to 1243, proved as popular as ever as thousands of people met on the Leys Recreation Ground to enjoy all the fun of the fair.

The two-day event kicked off yesterday with the usual mix of white knuckle fairground rides, which travelled over from last week’s St Giles Fair in Oxford, church services and a hog roast.

Among those enjoying the rides was Barney Smith, four, from Thorney Leys.

He said: “I’ve been on an aeroplane and a racing car, they were fun.”

Kate Worth, 11, from Long Hanborough: “I really liked the twister. It’s my favourite ride so far, it was really thrilling.”

Mum Kathy Worth added: “I’ve been coming for about 30 years. It’s good to keep to the tradition.”

The feast dates back to the consecration of St Mary’s Church in medieval times when the town was given a deer to feast on to mark the event.

For the older residents of Witney the end of the fair signals the beginning of winter. Some still quote the saying: “Witney Feast is over. Shut the doors and light the fires.”

Mayor of Witney Harry Eaglestone said the fair had been taken to the heart of the town over the centuries.

He said: “The people of Witney really do enjoy it. My grandson Toby is itching to get down there and meet up with his friends.

“It’s certainly changed over the years, with bigger rides and so on.

“But at night, when it’s all lit up, I think it looks smashing.”

Lily Hart, four, from Stanton Harcourt said: “I liked the waltzers. My favourite ride was the pink dragon.”

Dad David Hart added: “It’s something the kids look forward to each year.

“They can’t wait to come out of school.”

Keen to keep family tradition alive was Laura Townsend, 25, of Witney, who went to the feast with 18-month-old son William.

Mrs Townsend was first taken to the event by her grandmother Ann Townsend when she was a toddler and was pictured in the Oxford Mail’s sister paper the Witney Gazette, in 1988.

She said: “It’s a lovely chance to meet up with people, and for the whole community to come together.

“I loved going on the rides and eating the candy floss when I was a child, and now it’s William’s turn to enjoy it all.”