Loddon Valley Lions Club

Serving Tadley and surrounding Communities of the Hampshire / Berkshire Border

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Tadley Treacle Fair 2011 Sunday 5th June 11am to 5pm

 

The Popular Annual Tadley Treacle Fair, organised by LODDON VALLEY LIONS CLUB will again be held at Saunders Field, Tadley. The date is Sunday 5 June 2011 from 11am to 5pm.

The outcome of our 2010 event will be published here as soon as this information is available, however we are pleased to announce that the 2009 event made around £12,000 to support our charitable work in the local community and, the wider world. Two donations, each of £5,000 were made to St Michael's Hospice in Basingstoke and Naomi House (Childrens Hospice) in Sutton Scotney.

To see a slide show of the 2009 Treacle Fair Pictures courtesy of Katherine Davey and Loddon Valley Lion Bob Bone, Click Here.

 Attractions

As usual, in 2011, there will be exciting arena displays, the ever popular large Craft Marquee, Trade Stands and Charity Stands allowing local charitable organisations to raise money for their cause, Car Boot Sale, Fairground Rides and Childrens Entertainers. Also, a display of vintage vehicles, steam and stationary engines, Fire Engines, Tractors, Cars, Motorcycles, etc., with prizes in each class.

   

Refreshments

For those who are hungry or thirsty, refreshment will be provided by the LODDON VALLEY LIONS Tea Tent, Bar Tent (Courtesy of the Pelican Inn, Pamber Heath), Hot Dogs, Hog Roast, Ice Cream Vans, catering units, etc.

Why is the Treacle Fair so named?

We often get queries as to the origins of the name, "Tadley Treacle Fair" so for the record:
The Tadley Treacle Mines go back into old Tadley Folklore, probably because of the nature of the soil in this area. There is much heavy clay and under certain conditions this can have a consistency very similar to treacle. It is from there that the Tadley Treacle Fair derives its name. Until recently, there was also a pub in Tadley called "The Treacle Mines".

We also found the following account of the Tadley Treacle Mining Disaster on the internet: (www.treacleminer.com/pie.htm)

'Twas on the third day of July And twelve strong men were about to die At the Tadley Treacle Mines.

They were working fast without a care When a tunnel collapsed and trapped them there.

At the Tadley treacle mines No noise was heard above the ground When evening came they couldn't be found At the Tadley Treacle Mines.

They searched it here, they searched it there But could not find them anywhere At the Tadley Treacle Mines.

Then one man came from underground And told them everything he found At the Tadley Treacle Mines.

I saw a tunnel blocked with clay But it was open yesterday At the Tadley Treacle Mines.

Then all the men went down the pit And tried to clear the earth a bit At the Tadley Treacle Mines.

They dug all night, they dug all day And finally cleared the earth away At the Tadley Treacle Mines.

They found twelve men a-lying there Upon the ground so cold and bare At the Tadley Treacle Mines.

They carried them to the light So all could see the ghastly sight At the Tadley Treacle Mines.

They buried them there that very day And to this day their bodies lay At the Tadley Treacle Mines.

So gentlemen take heed I pray And do not go to work today At the Tadley Treacle Mines.'

Ordinary People
Amazing Things