Centuries-old midsummer fair returns to village

King Henry III granted the monks of Monks Kirby a charter to hold the fair in 1266

A village is preparing for the return of its annual summer fair which was granted via royal charter by King Henry III more than 750 years ago.

Monks Kirby's Midsummer Fair has never missed a year "apart from Covid and world wars", organisers claim.

It originally began as a village fete and will celebrate history with a Viking reenactment and Morris dancing.

The fair, which is expecting 2,000 visitors, donates its proceeds to local and national charitable causes such as Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance and The Ukranian Relief Fund.

The event usually costs £3,000 to run and typically distributes about £7,000 to charity, said chairman Tim Washington.

Mr Washington, who moved to the village 35 years ago, has been running the event for most of the time he's lived there.

Visitors can also expect music, craft and food stalls as well as classic cars and a dog show.

"This is not a new thing at all," Mr Washington said. "It's a longstanding tradition.

"Like many local villages, there's lots of history in Monks Kirby."

The event will return to the Warwickshire village on Sunday between 11:00-16:00 BST.