The Woolmarket is

Living History- The Woolmarket

Celebrating 500 years of the Woolmarket

Horndon is full of history and has sixteen listed buildings in the Conservation Area, (One is the red phone box). This year the Woolmarket is officially five hundred years old. We know little about its origins, but it is first mentioned in official records in 1525 as the seat of the village court, which was previously held in Arden Hall.

Over the centuries the Woolmarket has had many functions. Wool and wheat were traded in the open ground floor area. The market square behind it had, at one time, seventy stalls and workshops for production and sale of all goods needed by the community from bread to candlesticks.

Richer people had a duty in those days to care for the elderly and widows. In 1718 a carpenter was paid £55 to adapt the building into an almshouse. In 1773 the John Poley Charity for Relief of the Poor was set up to continue to fund this use

By the 1960s it became unsuitable for habitation and the Council rehoused the two elderly ladies who were living there. In 1970 a radical restoration to its original form was carried out by a team of skilled local craftsmen.

In the present day, we are fortunate to have a fine community hall. Many meetings are now held there by groups including the Horndon Society/Community Forum, the committee of volunteers organising the Feast and Fayre, musicians and artists, beekeepers, wine appreciation societies and others.

History of the Feast and Fayre

Horndon-on-the-Hill remains one of the most charming and historically intriguing villages in this area.

The church of St. Peter & St. Paul is the parish church for Horndon on the Hill and is part of the Parish of Horndon, Orsett and Bulphan. It’s position at the highest point in the village makes it a prominent local landmark.

The Feast and Fayre traditional event dates back to the 13th Century when the village was granted a Royal Charter to hold a feast and celebration on the last weekend in June.

The Feast and Fayre was revived in 1974 when a descendant of the original squire of the area was asked to preside over a pleasantly warm weekend and about a dozen runners attempted the first ever Horndon 10k.

When the Feast and Fayre was revived, the church was open during the weekend with a themed Flower Festival, this tradition continues and is always beautiful to see.
Food and drink is still at the centre of the celebrations at the church so come in for a cuppa with a slice or two of cake while listening to musical interludes. You’ll be made very welcome!

Horndon Feast & Fayre is part of Britain’s heritage and we are committed to keeping that tradition alive.

Every year the Feast and Fayre has a different theme. The entertainment for the weekend is chosen to be in keeping with the theme where possible.

Please join us in a village steeped in history to enjoy all types of entertainment, stalls, crafts, food and drink.

Horndon Village Website

Dave Staines Horndon 10k Race

This very enjoyable challenge has now become a highlight of the weekend's activities and brings hundreds of serious athletes and fun runners back to Horndon for what is a great family day out.

Please head over to the 10k website for more information about this event and previous years.

Horndon 10k Facebook

Click image for website

Programme

Saturday

Sunday

The Swan

The Bell

This Years Stall Holders

Nanny Knit Knit’s Corner

handmade knitted and crocheted items and handmade salt

dough models.

SRE Creative

Handmade decoupage oyster shell gifts, reed diffusers, vases and more. Also seed paper cards that grow wildflowers

Thurrock Local History Society

Photographic display. Information on local history and merchandise.

HRH Romford Retired Greyhounds

Description: A local based charity who home retired greyhounds at the end of their racing career.

We are the Essex Badger Protection Group.

Wildlife themed merchandise. Interactive games, lucky dip and general advice for the public.

Violet velvet treats

Delicious homemade brownies , cookies, cakes and more

Thurrock branch National animal welfare trust

Pick a flea game; children lucky dips and lots of items for sale including pet supplies, books, children's games and toys, bric a brac and more

SBArtful

Pastel artist who loves anything dark and alternative making stationery and accessories themed around gothic subculture

with a sneaky game reference here and there.

Tilbury twirlstars

Pull a pig tombola and glitter tattoo

Lelly”s Bags

Selling hand drawn and painted jute bags in various designs

and sizes and crochet handbags.

3DbySian

3D printed items: dragons, animals, pictures, key rings, vases, flowers, household items and jewellery

Serene Scents

Hand poured candles, diffusers room sprays and wax melts

Thameside Lacemakers

Display of handmade lace. Lacemakers demonstration. ‘Have a go’ at lacemaking.

The Essex Will Company Ltd

Enquiries for a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney, We will be offering a special show discount for this year.

Handcrafted Sparkle

Seller of Handmade ethical British jewellery.

Everything Personalised 4 U’

Personalised clothing for children and adults for all occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, pets, Easter, Christmas etc along with gifts and accessories

Thurrock Face Painting & Glitter Tattoos and Peacock Glitz Entertainment brings the sparkle to any events!"

Sweets for Treats

Offering a wide range of Pick N Mix gift ideas. We cater for all occasions.

Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund

We support families through childhood cancer. Providing a lifeline for children and their families experiencing the trauma and heartache of a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Calm Your Way:

Selling a selection of handmade & other yoga & meditation themed items and gifts

Thurrock Beekeepers Association

Display with live bees. Various items of beekeeping equipment. Honey tasting. Buy our pure, raw local honey produced by the TBKA bees.

Moonland Books

Magical bedtime stories to share with your little ones.

Scarlet Tiger

Fragrance and home gifts inspired by vintage nature.

Let’s Slime

Description: Choose your favourite slime and personalise it with colourful decorations!

PsychicJadeStore

Crystals, incense, eco friendly candles and essential oil perfumes and much more!

Qigong Taster class on Saturday on the Church Green with Instructor Lisa Abbott

Qigong is an ancient system of self- healing through gentle movements, breath work, meditation and body tapping.

Stanford-le-hope, Corringham, Tilbury & East Tilbury Community First Responder Group.

We work in association with the East of England Ambulance service. Manikins so people can have a go at CPR and a Tombola

The Herb Cupboard

Natural homemade skincare, haircare and cosmetics. Simple and clean beauty, Small batch products designed to be gentle but deeply nourishing to your skin.

Thurrock Acorns Amateur Radio Club

Description: Promoting the Hobby of Amateur Radio in Thurrock ...and Worldwide!

Lucea Jewellery

Handcrafted in Essex, Lucea Jewellery offers artisan pieces made from recycled sterling silver, locally collected sea glass and hand-picked gemstones. Inspired by the sea, forest, and the quiet magic of nature.

The Crafted Emporium

Handcrafted items, using traditional methods and natural materials. By prioritising quality and sustainability, our products are not only beautiful, but also durable and environmentally responsible.

Refill Cabin.

Thurrocks only Refill ShopBring your empty containers and start your refilling journey. From household liquids, body care products, dental care, collagen, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, cereals, granolas, rice pastas, lentils and herbs and spices and much more.

Waxtastic

Selling Scentsy home fragrances and wax melts.

Howe and Co quality fish and chips

We are selling fish, chips, sausages, chicken nuggets and Saveloys.

Stall Holders

Stalls are available to hire. Each stall is 3x3 meters. There are options to be inside one of our village buildings, outside on the High Road or on our new area in front of the Church on Mill Lane. We do have limited availability for stalls outside with electricity, these are allocated as bookings are received however here is a limited number available.

Please click on the links below to find out more and fill in an application form.

Stall Application Form

Stall Holder Terms and Conditions

Stalls Contact

Volunteers

All the members of the Feast and Fayre Organising Committee are volunteers, there are only a few of us and an event of this scale takes a lot of work so we are always looking for people who are willing to help.

Volunteering is extremely rewarding, the Horndon Feast and Fayre is a great event and we always have a really fun weekend.

If you have ever been interested in helping out, even if its only for an hour we would love to hear from you. The Volunteer application form is a chance to let us know what you would like to do and for how long.

This year we are trialing a volunteer reward scheme, this means you will receive a voucher for a drink or food at one of the many vendors (details TBC)

All money raised goes to local Groups, Charities and Societies. Over the weekend we endeavour to raise as much money as we can to help these great causes.

Volunteer Application Form