No ‘drovers’ for Delvin Book Fair

Back in the days of the country fairs, ‘drovers’ loved Delvin. If memory serves well, Delvin Cattle, Sheep and Pig Fair took place on the first Friday of the month and it was widely regarded as being one of the best in the midlands.

For the benefit of younger readers, a ‘drover’ was a man whose occupation it was to walk the cattle along the road from farm to fair – and maybe to the train station that evening. They loved Delvin because there were lots of short ‘drives’, big cattle (easier driven), the farmers were renowned for being ‘dacent’, and best of all, there were six pubs selling ‘good porter’!

There will be no drovers at the fair in Delvin over the May bank holiday this year, because books are being sold, not bullocks. No drovers, but there will be droves of people there enjoying what promises to be an enjoyable weekend.

The Book Fair has expanded to become a nationally favoured festival of literature, and involving arts and crafts, drama, dancing and music. There will be entertainment in the pubs, the hall and on the street.

So, do follow the droves to Delvin on May 3, 4 and 5. You never know who you might meet...!