AS the month slipped by the anticipation of what was the town's most exciting day of the year could be felt.

All eyes were riveted on the fairgrounds, either Mr Jeffries' field off Market Street or sometimes Crown Close, to spot the advance party arrive to set up the fair.

A mad dash was made when the school bell went to watch the arrival of Walsall showman Pat Collins's huge steam hauled wagons loaded with sideshows and roundabouts.

To youngsters the sight of ornamental steam operated organs with figures jerkily turning their heads or arms to the beat of the music, the huge coloured arc lamps, the galloping cocks and horses and the distinctive odour of crushed grass and steam engines was pure magic.

And no fair was complete without its side-shows. The fat lady, bearded lady, the giantess, calfs with two heads or five legs, fire-eaters, jugglers and a boxing booth were traditional attractions. Ladies' teasers, too, were part of the fun - but more of that later.

Then there were the edible treats, brandy snaps, rock, sugar fish, ice cream and chips.

It cost little to enjoy a full day at the fair as most schools gave pupils the day off.

Sixpence would buy several rides - the swingboats were good value at a halfpenny a time - visits to the side-shows and a shy or two at the coconuts.

The fair attracted huge numbers of visitors especially from the Black Country who descended on the town in their thousands mostly on foot, in horse drawn vehicles or by special trains.

Village folk cashed in on this invasion by selling them early crops of strawberries, potatoes and peas which they strove to produce in time for the big day.

High Street shopkeepers put out stalls on the pavements and both sides of the street were lined with horses for sale beribboned and glossy and all deemed 'sound in wind and limb' by their handlers.

They overflowed into St John Street, Church Street, Market Street and every pub yard was a sale yard. The din was teriffic. Narrow trousered horse copers, ruddy faced farmers and farm workers, given a rare half day holiday especially to visit the fair all haggling, shouting and making merry as the prancing horses were put through their paces in the narrow avenue up the centre of the street.

Herds of Welsh ponies were driven into town on the hoof by mounted short, dark men speaking a tongue strange to Bromsgrovians' ears.

The red spotted 'kerchiefs of the gypsies who had been making their way to the town for weeks added to the hubbub.

And overall was the strong odour of hot bodies and strong drink which emanated from open-all-day pub doors through which snatches of bawdy songs and glimpses of crowded bars could be seen.

Over indulgent customers spilled untidily onto the pavements to be propped against the walls by their fellows.

And every inch of \parking space was taken from early morning by the various vehicles which had conveyed the visitors to town.

Generally fair folk were a decent bunch, but occasionally a bloody pitched battle erupted between a stall-holder and a disgruntled half-drunk visitor.

Pickpockets from London's East End, 'yallermen' selling inferior crockery, spivs ,card sharpers, con men and cheap jacks all kept the crowds entertained in the vicinity of the fair ground. However, their activities were closely watched by the reinforced local police force until the last visitor had cleared the town boundary late at night.

And so ended another fair day, although for those who had fallen foul of the law, a visit to the police court the following Tuesday would mean the memory lived on a little longer.

But what of ladies' teasers you may ask? These were a popular feature of every midsummer fair and were bought in great numbers by mischievous boys for a few pence.

A small pump like device, many a fine dress was ruined by a squirt of dirty water drawn from the nearby Spadesbourne Brook and aimed at any unsuspecting female within range.