HASLEMERE’S much-loved, traditional Charter Fair comes to the heart of the town centre on Bank Holiday Monday.

Ceri-Jane O’Hara, from the Haslemere Visitor and Local Information Centre, said: “Preparations are well under way for this year’s fair and we are hoping it will be bigger and better than ever.

“The Charter Fair brings tradition, history and a great atmosphere, transforming the town centre into a colourful fairground for all the family.

“It remains a very special event for residents and the many visitors who return year after year to enjoy the spectacle and we very much look forward once again welcoming everyone to our wonderful town.”

The town centre will be once again be transformed into a colourful spectacle when the historic fair with its traditional fairground rides, stalls and amusements for people of all ages, packs into the High Street and West Street, on May 2.

The fair, which is open to the public from 1-5pm, always attracts thousands of visitors to the town.

There are no admission charges and many local charities and organisations benefit.

Alongside the charity stalls, arts and craft stalls, fairground rides, giant Scalextric at Proven Garage, town band and much more, there will be live music to entertain the fair goers. With a rolling programme of performances throughout the afternoon there is something for all the family to enjoy including dancers, singers and demonstrations from local groups.

For the first time, the Charter Fair sees Guildford-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emma Stevens take to the stage.

She has achieved four consecutive play-listed singles on BBC radio and on the day will also be selling and signing CDs on the Haslemere Fringe Festival stall.

The fair would not be complete without a Punch and Judy show and wandering through the stalls, stilt walkers and clowns will bring a smile to anyone’s face.

The fun fair will have plenty of rides for both young and old along with an opportunity to see steam cars and steam tractors from a past era, model train rides, tombolas and balloons

There will stalls along the High Street and West Street filled with the sights and smells of traditional fairground food including hamburgers, hot dogs, and of candyfloss.

Haslemere Fire Station will also be hosting an open day where junior visitors can get kitted out and show off their prowess with a hose.

The town’s team of full-time and retained firefighters will be on hand to welcome visitors to the West Street station, where Surrey Fire and Rescue Service vehicles will be on display, plus practical fire safety demonstrations including a real kitchen fire, and life-saving tips from the Community First Responders.

A live mini-farm brings sheep and lambs, goats and kids, calves, chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigs, dogs and even a farmer to the High Street outside the museum.

For the third time, the fair sees the return of the Town Criers’ competition to add to all the revelry. Town criers from throughout the country will compete for the Tennyson Trophy, a dramatic bronze statue of a 17th Lancer of the Light Brigade – a famous military action immortalised in Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade.’ The competition will take place in the museum gardens, and the public can take a welcome break from the action with teas being served there.

For more information, visit www.haslemere.com/ charterfair