Yesterday this swan on the River Avon in Stratford was paddling towards me at a very rapid pace. He must have thought I had some food to offer and I was sorry for any disappointment caused.
October is a time for change and that goes for humans as well.
Stratford-upon-Avon still has a Mop Fair which, like the Nottingham Goose Fair and others around the country, has become a pleasure fair over the centuries. The date is always set for around 10 October, the date of Old Michaelmas, and this year is no exception.
The equinoxes and solstices were quarter days as far back as medieval times, when rents were due and servants were hired. The quarter day in October was particularly important because farm workers, labourers and servants would work for an employer from October to October. At this time of year anyone looking for new work would visit a Mop Fair, dressed in their best and carrying an item that signified their trade. If a servant had no particular skill or trade he or she would carry a mop. Employers would move among the gathered workers to find out what experience the job seekers had and discuss terms with them. If chosen, the worker would be given a small token of money to spend at the fair and in exchange the worker would wear bright ribbons to show that they were hired.
In 2021, in the wake of the Covid pandemic, there will be an additional event at the Mop Fair in Stratford on 10th October. It will be a “Job and Apprenticeship Fair” to be held in Stratford Playhouse, Rother Street. It is to be aimed at attracting workers to fill the many shortages in the hospitality and leisure industries which are so prominent in the district. What will the attendees be required to carry? My information doesn’t say. Maybe they’ll be wearing leotards or carrying vacuum cleaners.
Stratford also has a “Runaway Mop” held one week later. This tradition arose from the need for employers to re-consider and re-hire workers before committing to a full year’s work. Presumably it worked for unhappy employees as well, hence the term “runaway”. I don’t know whether there’ll be a second Mop for the same purpose this year. We’ll have to see.
