A GLANCE through the Mercury archives has triggered the revival of an old village tradition thought to have died out around the Second World War.

Lyng Fair is to be staged once more in East Lyng after an old report stated it was held in 1913 in the field at the back of the Rose and Crown.

Andy Watts and his partner Maggie Takacs, who recently took over the tenancy of the historic pub, were fascinated to find that the fairs were an integral part of the village and decided to stage it once more in the same field 102 years on.

Andy, whose previous pub was in East London, said: “Ever since we arrived at Lyng we have been told of much of the history of the place and of some of the old residents and when we were told about the huge fair at the back of the pub it seemed a natural thing to offer to stage it again.”

There have been Lyng Village Days and outdoor jazz evenings, mainly to raise funds for the village hall but the fair itself faded away after being held in various fields.

In 1927 Old Lyng Fair Day included Lyng Sports in Copse Field, which was just a couple of hundred yards from the pub and attracted big crowds.

The event featured skittling for a pig, tug o’ war, roundabouts, wheelbarrow and bicycle races and the Bridgwater Imperial Silver Band.

Admission was 6d, with children 3d, and hundreds attended. Naturally. Mr Watts and his partner Andy and Maggie hope history repeats itself this time around.

Mr Watts said: “Many local people have quickly made themselves available, which doesn’t surprise me as it’s a very welcoming village and the date has been set for Saturday, August 8, almost 102 years to the day since the last one.”

Admission and car parking will be free and there will be a fun dog show, while there will be and a flying display of barn owls.

The skittle alley will be open and there will be stalls and a bouncy castle as well as an old fashioned coconut shy, cream teas. and an all-day bar.

Children will be well catered for with fancy dress and face painting as well as a guess the weight of the sheep game. and an all-day bar.

All proceeds will be going to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance which relies on charitable donations to keep flying.

There will be a hog roast and live music including a barn dance in the evening - for more information e-mail andyfwatts1969@gmail.com