HUNDREDS of residents and visitors took to the streets of Romsey on Saturday (July 9) for the return of the town’s biggest annual event.

Romsey Beggars Fair was back, with a huge celebration of music, dance and street entertainment.

The free day of family fun saw local musicians take over the streets and venues of Romsey from 10.30am until 10pm.

One returning attendee, Laura Whittlesea-Clark from Southampton, whose mum lives in Romsey, said she went along with her husband, her friend and their dogs.

She added: “It was glorious weather! It was nice to be able to get out, walk around and listen to all the music. We went walking down one street and heard a chopper singing popular songs, and then would walk down another street and hear folk music on a tin whistle!”

Laura continued: “ It wasalso nice to be able to find an area by abbey to sit in the shade with the dogs and have a drink, have a look around the stalls and buy some bits. I would definitely go back.”

The event is volunteer-led and, posting to Facebook afterwards, the team wrote: “What a fab day it was, both music and weather wise. The team are absolutely shattered now after a very long day but worth every minute to see so many people enjoying the terrific atmosphere in and around the streets of Romsey again in 2022.”

When the fair started in 1993, only a handful of musicians performed, entertaining the local crowd from the back of the lorry in the Cornmarket.

READ MORE: Beggar’s Fair 2022: Romsey’s free music, dance and street entertainment festival is back

Thanks to the support of the local people, it has grown to be Romsey’s largest event.

Currently, the festival has about 12 volunteers who help to make the day run smoothly but Beggars Fair is always looking for help to organise the Romsey favourite.

Our photographer Stuart Martin was out and about snapping this amazing selection of pictures. Spot anyone you know?

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