On 11 August 2019, Andover High Street will come to life at the Andover Shilling Fair – an unmissable free day out celebrating the town’s Georgian heritage.
Andover’s stunning Georgian streets will light up with a programme bursting with colourful street performers, Regency costumed dancers, vintage entertainment, a food, drink and craft market, traditional fairground attractions, local musicians, donkey rides and fun hands-on family craft activities.
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Andover High Street, Sunday 11 August 2019, 10am to 4pm. Free.
Please scroll down the page for the full programme of what's on at
Andover Shilling Fair...
Regency Entertainment, ACTIVITIES & FAMILY FUN
The Duke of Wellington's Dancers
Learn how to dance like Jane Austen's heroines, Poldark or a Napoleonic officer!
You may even have spotted these fantastic dancers on the BBC and ITV last year!
Performances are free and take place throughout the day.
FREE ANDOVER
HERITAGE TOURS
Enjoy the Andover Heritage Trail brought to life through an immersive tour. The tour brings the town’s history alive and you will meet a number of interesting characters along the way as you are guided on your journey by Mr Heath of Heath’s bank. Tours take place at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
To book, drop into The Lights or call the Box Office on: 01264 368368.
Costumed characters
The streets will be dotted with people in traditional Regency costumes who will be enjoying the day. Don't forget to say hello!
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If you'd like to volunteer to dress up like Jane Austen or Mr Darcy, please click here.
Horse Drawn Rides
Take an unforgettable ride in a majestic horse drawn wagon through Andover's historic streets.
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£3 charge applies for a 20 minute (approx.) ride.
Free hands-on
family crafts
Make and take a crafty creation inspired by Stephenson's spectacular steam Rocket. Join The Artroom team and see what you can create! All craft activities are free.
Traditional Fairground Attractions
Don't miss the chance to have a ride on a traditional swingboat, or try your luck on the strongman striker! Charges apply.
Friendly Donkey Rides
Mike's beautiful traditional donkeys will be offering rides for children around the Guildhall throughout the day.
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All of the donkeys are fully trained and competent with riders.
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Rides cost £2. All riders must sanitise their hands after riding.
Find out more about Mike's Donkeys at www.mikesdonkeys.co.uk
Live Music & Dance
Head to the Time Ring for a full programme of acoustic live music throughout the day. Why not join in with a sing-along OR A DANCE?
10.15am
Kai Choi, local violinist
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11am
Sarum Morris and Southern Lights Dancers
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11.30pm
Duke of Wellington's Dancers
12noon
Romsey Ukelele Group
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12.50pm
Duke of Wellington's Dancers
1.25pm
Sarum Morris and Southern Lights Dancers
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2pm
Duke of Wellington's Dancers
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2.45pm
The Loft Singers​
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3.15pm
Sarum Morris and Southern Lights Dancers
HEAD TO THE FRONT OF THE GUILDHALL TO SEE OUR BUSKERS IN ACTION THROUGHOUT THE DAY...
Charlie Kimber - one man band​
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Pair of Horns
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Kai Choi, violinist
Local Food, Drink
& Craft Market
Don’t miss our AMAZING local artisan food, drink and craft market along beautiful Andover High Street...
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Amaletta's Emporium
Andover Heritage Tours
Andover Museum
Balloon Fantastia
Beau Oui
Dog's Trust
DooLittle Dumplings
Enchanted Parties face painting
Flo and Frankie's Fudge
Glastonbury Cheese
Goofy Goat Gifts
Gorilla Spirits
Grounded Coffee
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Ice Cream Republic
Jacqui's Homemade Sweets
Jerk Spice
Julissimo Jewellery
McCarthy's Country Store
MKS Foods
Olives & Things
Pumblechook's Beads & Jewellery
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Purbeck Ice Cream
Rosie's Relish & Pickle
Sam Silverwear
Sara Jane's Holistics
The Bug Store
The Donut Man
The Spotted Dog
The Trafalgar Way
Whinwhistle Nursery and Cutting
Garden
Winchester Distillery
Woodland Trust
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Discovering Andover
& the Test Valley
The picturesque market town of Andover, in the Test Valley, with its attractive high street and narrow walk ways, dates back to Saxon times. Most of the town's buildings are from the 18th century when it was an important stop over destination for coaches on their way to London, Southampton and Oxford.
The Town Mills, next to the River Anton, heralds the start of the town trails. The Andover Time Ring features key historical events from the town's past along the high street, marked by 10 mosaic panels. There are also two poetry trails one along the high street and one meandering along the River Anton, where you will find poems set in stone, metal plaques and etched glass.
For more on the rich history of the area visit the Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age in the town centre, or the Museum of Army Flying in nearby Middle Wallop.
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In contrast The Lights is a contemporary arts and entertainment venue offering comedy nights, dance, theatre and music. The town hosts a series of free live events each year including Andover Live and Andover Carnival. There is also a busy traditional street market every Thursday and Saturday in the High Street.
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To learn more about the Test Valley, visit the Council's website by clicking here.
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Visiting & Parking
How to find us
Andover Shilling Fair takes place along the
High Street​, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1NG.
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As the main route from London to the West Country and from Southampton to Oxford and the UK north, Andover is particularly easy to get to.
We are situated on the A303 and within easy reach of the M3 and M4.
Visitor Parking
Free visitor parking is available in all Test Valley Borough Council town centre car parks on Sundays.
Please follow the signs to car parks as you enter the town.
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For a full list of car parks on the Test Valley Borough Council website, please click here.
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For a map of all town centre car parks, please visit Parkopedia: click here.
This is your chance to dress up like Jane Austen and Mr Darcy! We’re looking for volunteers who can really enter into the spirit of the day and of course, we can cover the cost of your costume hire.
We’re inviting volunteers to get involved with the following activities:
Dress up and volunteer!
On Sunday 11 August 2019, Andover High Street will come to life at the new Andover Shilling Fair and we need your help...
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Directing stallholder vehicles onto the site between 7-10am. (Costumed or non-costumed)
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Directing stallholders from the site between 4.30-6pm. (Costumed or non-costumed)
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Lots of other people who are dressed up and interacting with the crowd throughout the day. We will of course ask you to keep an eye on the High Street, checking that the audience and stallholders are happy and safe and reporting any concerns to the event manager. 10am-4pm (Costumed)
If you need a costume, you’ll have to be able to visit Hampshire Wardrobe for a fitting in Winchester on a weekday before 6pm.
If you’d like to take part, we’d love to hear from you! Please email jenny@fuseprojects.co.uk and let us know what you’d like to do.
About Us
Andover Shilling Fair is an exciting new event, spearheaded by Barbara Long and managed by local events company Fuse Projects Ltd with the support of local organisations.
For more information, please click on the logos.
About the Organisers
Contact Us
Please send all Shilling Fair enquiries to: jenny@fuseprojects.co.uk.
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If you are interested in booking a stall at the fair, please visit:
We would like to give a huge thank you to all of our Shilling Fair volunteers, their friends and family. Thank you!
About our Sponsors & Supporters
We are delighted to be generously supported by grants from Test Valley Borough Council and Andover Town Council, together with support from The Lights.
