THE WIDECOMBE FAIR CHARACTER JUG COLLECTION consists of the characters of the song and comes in two sizes. The regular size stands about 3.5" high with a diameter of about 2.50." The miniatures are approximately 1.75" tall with a diameter of about 1.50." Each Pottery casting is handcrafted and made in local clay and hand painted by local artists. Each has the name of the character etched in its back so you know who they are while reading or singing the story. We know that you will enjoy them all and that they will become the center of attraction in your home. These Character Jugs make fantastic handcrafted giftwares for others as well as for yourself.

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WIDECOMBE IN THE MOOR is undoubtedly one of the most famous and picturesque ancient village in Dartmoor which is located in the county of Devon, England. It is the destination for thousands of tourists from around the world every year. To be in Devon without visiting Widecombe, the site of Uncle Tom Cobley with the Old Grey Mare, would be similar to being in London without visiting Buckingham Palace or the Tower Of London. Visitors may see Uncle Tom Cobleys old chair which has been on display for over 150 years, spend many hours absorbing the peace and beauty of a time of the past and strength of the surrounding timeworn granite Tors, the soft greenness of the valley below with a myriad of lanes running off from the village in every direction, have their photographs taken on the village green while posing with the wild ponies that visit the village daily or by the village sign with its Uncle Tom Cobley and his 'mates' frozen in stone. It is the home of the Parish Church of St. Pancras, a beautiful example of a late Medieval Devon church; often referred to as " THE CATHEDRAL OF THE MOORS." (see the story "WHEN THE DEVIL VISITED DEVON" which took place in Widecombe in the year 1638.) The village has its own pottery where our character jug collection is made, two historic pubs: the Rugglestone, a fine 'local' which still gives a warm welcome to strangers, and the Old Inn known for its unique atmosphere and excellent food at very reasonable prices. It hosts two fine gift shops and a tea room where smartly uniformed staff have dedicated many years serving World famous Devonshire Cream Teas to their visitors. A visit to the village of Widecombe is a step back in time that will bring back memories until you return once again. One can see why the writer Beatrice Chase called Widecombe her home for many years.

THE WIDECOMBE FAIR is an annual event that dates back to 1831. Legend has it that in order to increase church attendance, a local ordinance was passed requiring every man in the village to own a bow equal to his height and to practice archery every Sunday after church. Because of this ordinance Widecombe archers became quite good and local merchants thought an annual Fair would bring both recognition for their fine archers when competing with archers from surrounding villages during the Fair, and profit for the local merchants from all the visitors such an event would attract from throughout the Moors. Today, the annual Fair, held on the second Tuesday in September, draws visitors from around the world. In 1996, the village was host to more than 12,000 guests who attended the festivity. But the event is also a genuinely local occasion, with traditions of its own and plenty of Devon accents. A sad, yet comical event that took place while travelling to the Fair is the theme of the famous song which has also become known throughout the world and has been written in many foreign languages. Japan has even created its own version. With its rollicking tune and hearty chorus, the story of Tom Pearce's Old Grey Mare has become somewhat of an unofficial Devonian national anthem. The Devonshire Regimental Band played it with pride when the regiment marched into battle in 1899 while engaging the enemy during the Boer war. Eden Phillpotts, one of Dartmoor's best known novelists, drew from the song when he wrote his 1913 "Widecombe Fair," a very readable story about village life in the Devonshire countryside. The Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould, famous in his own rights, popularised it in 1891 by including it in his "Songs of the West" and it has been sung by no less a celebrity, the famous Scottish music-hall entertainer Sir Harry Lauder (1870-1950) when he visited the Widecombe Fair and sang it for the visitors during closing ceremonies. It is still sung by school children throughout Great Britain and Fairgoers while they join hands during the closing ceremonies each year. We have the song/story booklet and include one FREE of charge with the purchase of a set of character jugs or the large Widecome Fair Jug so that you can join in the fun.

THE WIDECOMBE FAIR CHARACTER JUG COLLECTION consists of the characters of the song and comes in two sizes. The regular size stands about 3.5" high with a diameter of about 2.50." The miniatures are approximately 1.75" tall with a diameter of about 1.50." Each casting is made in local clay and hand painted by local artists. Each has the name of the character etched in its back so you know who they are while reading or singing the story. We know that you will enjoy them all and that they will become the center of attraction in your home. They make fantastic gifts for others as well as for yourself.